GDB Ride/Leader Profile – Brent Aston and the Mesquite Starter Ride
by Paul Brown

Welcome to the September GDB Ride / Leader Profile. This month, we feature Brent Aston, and the Starter Ride that begins at Mesquite Poteet Rides on Sundays. Brent is 36, joined GDB in mid-2005, and started road riding as his way of getting back into shape. He is also a regular participant in the Sunday afternoon Mesquite Rides, and rides year-round.

Here are some comments about the Starter Ride, from participants:

"I've come a long way in a short time…"

"This is a fun ride, I’m glad I tried it!"

"Brent is an excellent ride leader, and the Mesquite area is just challenging enough to keep you coming back for more!"

Brent was one of "Team Assassin" in the 2006 Texas Time Trials, together completing 500 miles in 26:38:41, a new course record!

Brent actually grew up in Mesquite, and except for the time spent in the Army, has lived there ever since.

Here is our interview with Brent:

Have others in your family or circle of friends caught the cycling bug from you, or do they continue to look at you strangely when you tell them you're going out for a 50 mile ride?

My wife has started riding and is one of the regulars on the Starter Ride. I haven't convinced my kids to jump into cycling yet but I'm trying. Yes -- most of my friends and family give me a strange look when I mention the "ride I did last weekend", but my sister has given it a try and so far has done well...

What and how many bikes do you have?

A Trek 5200 and a Huffy Mountain Bike

Do you ever bike commute?

Yes, I've tried it a few times.

Do you have an estimate of the number of miles you've ridden in your lifetime?

Only about 6,000 so far

What has been your favorite ride you've done outside of Texas?

Rocky Mount Stage Race

What's your favorite Texas Bike Rally to ride in, and why?

I enjoyed the Hotter n' Hell this past two summers, although I only did 50 miles this year due to a sore knee.

What's your favorite:

• Jersey: Michelin

• During-ride food: Bananas

• During-ride drink: Anything with electrolytes

• Rally Rest-Stop Food: Oranges, bananas, Clif bars

• After-ride food: Anything!!!

• After-ride drink: "Recovery drink" - (Hmmmm... Perhaps the one shown in this photo from HHH last year?)

• LEAST favorite Rally Rest Stop food or drink: PICKLE JUICE!!!

• Other GDB ride to participate in, as a non-leader: The Mesquite Rides

What's the longest continuous ride you've ever done?

I completed a 200K in late 2006.

Do you participate in races, sanctioned or otherwise?

I've started doing some racing this year.

Tell us more about the rides you lead.

It's on Sunday mornings, and departs from the northwest corner of the parking lot of the Poteet High School in Mesquite. I started this ride with the help of Steve Flores after our wives showed some interest in riding. They wanted to ride but couldn't find a ride that they could keep up with comfortably.

The distance is approximately 20 miles, and the route contains a few hills (but nothing serious). The average speed is as slow as we need to go for everyone to keep up with - we're a no-drop group.

We generally have anywhere from 5 to 15 riders participate. The ride leaves Poteet at 11:30. We take a scenic route through Sunnyvale and Mesquite. Anyone who is interested in riding and joining a group or learning to ride in a group is welcome. We typically ride road bikes but we've had mountain bikes, recumbents, and everything in between, including a trike.

What things about your ride do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy seeing other people getting into riding. This one is not too hard for someone's first group ride. My sister started out on this ride, and gradually and quickly improved until she was able to "graduate" to the regular Mesquite Ride!

Any general advice for someone wanting to join you on your ride?

Bring your helmet, some water, and a snack if you think you'll need it – there isn't a store stop on the route.

Thanks, Brent, see you in Mesquite!