I Have a Goatneck

// July 27th, 2007 // Family, Health, Miscellaneous, Outdoors, Personal, Travel

I said in April I am preparing to cycle RAGBRAI 2008, and this weekend is part of that preparation. I am riding one of the top 100 rides in America (according to Bicycling Magazine) with my younger brother. Goatneck had 2,350 riders last year. That makes it one of the largest rides in America, though nothing compared to RAGBRAI.

The Goatneck is hosted near where I grew up in Cleburne, Texas. I remember it being a big deal while in Jr. High and High School. I have yet to ride it though. So, this is returning to my bicycling roots in a way. I wonder if we’ll ride on some of the roads where I learned to dodge enormous jumbo grasshoppers on that old BMX bike?

If talk of a Goatneck, grasshoppers, and some place called Cleburne is all too unfamiliar, consider checking out these lyrics (which Pat Green recorded at some point) with some Texas towns worth visiting:

Source: Cowboy Lyrics

I was toting my pack along a dusty Amarillo road
when along came a semi with a high canvas-covered load
He said if you're going to Amarillo I'll give you a ride.
So I climbed up into the cab and I settled down inside.
He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand
and I said "listen Bud, I've traveled every road in this here land"

I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
I've crossed the deserts bare, man, breathed the mountain air, man
Travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere

I've been to:
Waco, Hico, Hondo, Navasota, Winnsboro, Jacksboro, Hillsboro, Santa Rosa,
Austin, Houston, Galveston, Texarkana, Frisco ...
Audio Version:

I’ve Been Everywhere (In Texas) by Brian Burns

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  • Brett 9:54 am on July 31, 2007 Permalink | Reply

    hey brother, just so you know that song was originally written by a guy named Geoff Mack (an aussie…you might enjoy reading his version as it might have places you went to) and the Texas version was adapted by Brian Burns…great song though! Johnny Cash probably does my favorite version vocally.

  • Jason 10:04 am on July 31, 2007 Permalink | Reply

    Thanks for the information Brett. Will definitely check out Geoff Mack’s song. Who knew you were into Australian folk music. You never cease to surprise me brother!

    In way of an update on the ride, I rode the 30 miles with almost no issues. I say almost, because my hands went numb and during a neck cramp I looked down and went off the side of the road into a muddy truck rut. I tried to stop but ended up having to drop and roll. Nothing hurt but my pride and some skin on my left leg. Could have been much worse. As I was falling I heard the professionals coming up quickly behind me grunt “ewww. ohhh.” When they road by and asked, “you ok?”, I just was able to say “worried about my bike.”

    Anyway, Todd and I had a great time. He did 41 on the mountain bike, which is quite impressive given the fact this was his first ride ever.

  • Brett 10:58 am on August 1, 2007 Permalink | Reply

    the professionals were BEHIND you?? you get more studly all the time. glad you’re okay. rode ten miles in 100 degree heat yesterday and it ate me up. got a long long way to go! not at all into austrailian folk music, just recognized the song and did some looking. excited for you brother and just to let you know (if a little late)…I am really proud of you and the way that you minister in the Kingdom. you consistently challenge me and my worldview.
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