WAR XXVI - One Year's Old!

Well, holy shit...it's been a year of WAR. We've logged about 300 miles on our bicycles visiting some of Austin's finer (and not so fine) bars. That means we have collectively logged over 2500 miles on the WAR. We saved the environment from some serious CO2 and most importantly helped out in quelling Austin's growing beer population. You should feel proud of yourselves.

...And what better reward than more of the same? Treat yourself to a cold one on Wednesday, 7/1. The theme to this week will be "The Best of WAR." If you plan on coming (and you should), email me your favorite place the ride has been, along with three songs you'd like to hear. I'll tally the votes and take it from there.

If you have not been on a WAR, shame on you - you are missing out. If you've found yourself saying, "well, there is always next year"....yeah...it's here, so get your fat-ass off the couch and on your bike.

To be continued......

Okay - the votes are in! The overwhealming favorite was Mean Eyed Cat, followed by a new location - The Shangri'la. Thed for third place was 'air conditioning' and 'swimming'. So, we will make it happen.

Meet at Wahoos for dinner 5th&Rio Grande. Dinner at 6:15. We roll at 7pm.

First we will hit a new spot - Abel's on the Lake (by Hula Hut) for a cold one and a dip in Lake Austin - so bring you swimmin' suit. Next we will hit the Mean Eyed Cat, followed by the Shangri'la, we will end up where we started at Dirty Bill's.

I'll load up the jukebox, you bring a lock and a light.

See you there! The Map

WAR - XXV - Gay Bars

As a salute to the recent Gay Pride week and the recent influx of latent homosexuals in chaps (ROT Rally), we are going to salute the gay bars of Austin.

Plus, Crowder has been asking for this theme for a while.

So, put on your assless chaps, practice your Y.M.C.A and join us on this ride.

We will meet at Iron Works BBQ at 6:15 for some of Austin's best 'Q. (Red River & 1st)

Then, in the imortal words of Freddy Mercury you will 'get on your bikes and ride'. Wheels down promptly at 7pm. We will start off at the Rainbow Cattle Company then move on to Charlie's. After a requisite tour of the Capitol, we will hit Oilcan Harry's. Finally, we will end up right by our starting spot at Chain Drive (don't feed the bears).

Bring a light, lock and a friend. See you there.

The Map

WAR - The Other Urban Assualt Ride

It's here....the other Urban Assault Ride. Our good friends at New Belgium Brewery, who have the same passions as we do - bikes and beers - are hosting the glorious Urban Assault Race on 6/28 here in Austin.

This is a must attend event. I've done it for two years now and it is a blast. Part adventure race, part scavenger hunt, all silliness with free beer at the end.

Team up with another WAR rider to take on this challenge. It's a hell of a lot of fun. Expect to ride a big wheel, just like when you were 4 years old and way more badass than you are now. You might also ride a clown bike, joust and swim. The only thing I can assure you is you will have a great time and end up with a nice Sunday afternoon buzz.

Register here. http://www.urbanassaultride.com/ Wear good costumes. Wear sunscreen. Tell them I sent you (free swag for referrals) - mat.thompson33@gmail.com

Ride on! Mat.

WAR XXIV - Bachleor Party!

Well, against all odds and many wagers, I'm getting married.  I leave Thursday morning for OKC to get hitched on Saturday.  And if I've done my math correctly, that leaves me one more ride as a single man.

So, come out Wednesday for a ride - bachelor party style.  We will visit some of my favorite places in Austin.  I know this ride is a bit self-serving, but if you don't like it, plan your own damn ride.

Every day as a Senior at the great University of Texas, I would walk home from class and have a jalapeno cheeseburger and a Shiner Bock at the Crown & Anchor.  Only cost me $5.  It's a little more expensive these days, but the beer is still cold and the fries are still hot.  So, let's meet at Crown at 6:15pm for a beer and a cold one.

We will then take a tour around campus for old times sake and then visit the Flying Saucer for a craft beer.

Then we are on to Billy's to lounge on the deck and finally to my favorite bar - The Draught Horse.  I know, technically now it is the House, but I'm nostalgic.

See you on Wednesday.  Bring lights, a lock and a friend.  Next time you see me, I'll be wearing a ring (provided Christina shows).

THE MAP

WAR XXIII - Top Gun

So, I was drinking beer with a few WAR Veterans, thinking about how great it is outside right now.  Not hot, not cold, just perfect.  So, planning the WAR ride (which is, by the way, redundant), I'm thinking outdoor locations.

Then, for some strange reason, it hits me.  We need to pay tribute to a great childhood memory and military recruiting agent, Top Gun.  This is movie gold, Pre-Scientology Tom Cruise, and Kenny Loggins at his best.

What?  You say what it is the relevance?  Well, let's see......  first, Top Gun was released May 13, 1986, making this the 23th Anniversary.  Second, Kelly McGillis, who is quite possibility responsible for my first boner just came out as a lesbian.....just my luck.  Seriously - check it out - http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20275794,00.html

Finally - Kenny Loggins and homoerotic scenes with 'seaman' playing volleyball...how better to welcome in summer.

So......unless 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin", meet at Uncle Billy's BBQ on Barton Springs Road at 6pm for dinner.  Ride starts at 7pm.  Next we will visit Aussie's, for some mandatory beach volleyball.  You don't have to take your shirt off, but you do have to give a five both high and low like the Iceman.  Singing 'Playin With the Boys' is optional as well.

Next, it's time to buzz a tower - we'll hit the Tinest Bar in Texas.  Yee Haw...Jester's Dead.

Finally, we will finish at BS Saloon, where we will  sing 'Great Balls of Fire' to mourn anyone we might lose in a flat spin.

Oh - for this ride only - you can't go by your own name - pick a call sign.  Be creative - Maverick, Goose, Iceman, Jester, Wolfman, Hollywood, Slider and Charlie are not allowed.

Bring light, lock and cash.  And, NEVER EVER leave your wingman.

THE MAP

WAR XXII - Cinco de Mayo

Ok, so technically, it is Seis de Mayo, but close enough, right?  

Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico's unlikely defeat of the French in 1862.  I think the Mexicans are onto something here....If we make every defeat of the French a holiday, we'll never work again!

So, it is time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo WAR style.  Put on your sombrero, shove a lime in your beer and hop on your bike, because we are goin' East Side, esse.

We will meet for dinner at El Chile - 1809 Manor - at 6:15pm.  El Chile has, in my opinion (which is always right), some of the best mexican food in town.  They also have great Micheladas.  Ride starts promptly at 7pm.  We will visit Rio Grande downtown, take a tour of the East Side, visit Fiesta Gardens, thumb our noses at the French Legation Museum and have a cold one at the Long Branch Saloon.  We will end up next door to where we started on the porch of the Red House.

Bring lights, a helmet, a lock and some friends.  See you there.

THE MAP

Real Ale Ride - May 30th

I love bikes and I love beer.  If my wife is reading this, I love her too.  

What I love most of all is bikes and beer together (hence the WAR).  What I love more than most of all is good beer and bikes together.  So, a number of us WAR verterans are going out to ride the Real Ale Ride in Blanco, TX on 5/30.

The Real Ale Brewery is making some of the best beer in the country right now in my opinion.  You should listen to my opinion, because I'm always right.  However, the little brewery down the road is more than just great beer; they are very supportative of cycling and also adhere firmly to green standards.  So let's support these fine folks and also suck down a few of their fine beverages.  

The ride is totally supported, you can pick lengths of 15-80 miles and afterwards - the three "B's" - Beer, BBQ and Brewery Tours!

Register at http://www.realaleride.com/ 

Post a comment below if you plan on heading out and we'll be on the lookout for you.