Photos on the Road to Blanco

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Short Day to Blanco - 42.9 miles

There was a change of plan today. Supposed to stay at Wimberley tonight but campsite not suitable, so short day to beautiful Blanco, by the river, and long day to Austin tomorrow. Quite a few rolling hills today, Todd said we climbed over 2000 ft. Lovely winding narrow roads, ACA keep us off the main roads where possible. Saw jersey cows, 2 small herds of gizelles, an armidillo ( but dead on the road ) and a lizard.  People leave their old rusting vehicles artistically grouped together, some just look like junk yards but others are quite impressive. Also, noticed an old covered wagon, bet it could tell a few tales, and a broken aeroplane in someones back  garden ?? In the middle of no-where there appeared a well attended cemetary. I made this a slow relaxing day, left after 8.00am and just took my time. Arrived in Blanco at lunchtime so treated myself to a proper lunch- lentil soup, salad and a 'hot' tea not the usual iced tea. When you have finished your tea, you can ask for another one and you get it on the house. Robert C had 4 glasses of iced tea for the price of one. Can you imagine trying that in Glasgow.   Lars and Todd cooked Spag/Bol. tonight followed by Apple and Cherry Pie. Mmm. I then walked, with Todd and Jon, to a 'Dairy Queen' and had a huge carmel and vanilla ice-cream.  Well, a gals got to keep her strength up. Tonight, we were visited again by 3 medical students, 2 girls and a boy, who have taken a few months off from their studies to cycle the Southern Tier route. They are carrying all their gear and full of energy and fun. Sometimes they wild camp and wash when they can. One more day then a well earned day off.. wonder what I will do ... still loving it... 

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Texas Continues To Amaze Me. Real Neat...

Had a restless night, forgot to stretch out and after the hard day yesterday, suffered for it. Rose in good time though, bags packed,sleeping bag stuffed, mat rolled. Bags flung into trailer, breakfast made, lunch made, Spike prepared for the road and off we go, as you can see I have got into quite a settled routine. Pleased to see the blisters on my arm had disappeared. Put plenty sunscreen on today as we have another long day of 70.4 miles. Turned onto the main road, went about 100 yards and the road went straight up, and in the distance I could see poor Robert C walking. Oh no, my muscles hadn't even warmed up. Anyway, plodded on but legs felt really heavy and sluggish. West Texas is not what I expected at all, it is so lush, fertile and green, it could be Scotland. Prosperous ranchland stretch in all directions. The ranches have huge imposing entrances called 'Heaven's Gate', 'World's End' and the more common 'Diamond' or 'South Fork'. Passed fences with old cowboy boots put on the posts. Real neat. We passed through our halfway point at Hunt today, can't quite believe I have been on the road 29 days, but my butt sure knows it. Staying at a RV Park in the aptly named town of 'Comfort'. To celebrate our halfway mark we all went out for a meal, I had a cheeseburger, french fries and salad. Alsolutely delicious. This is a great group, we have such a laugh about our aches and pains, ups and downs but always helping and supporting each other. They still don't understand me most of the time but know me well enough now to say' sorry Janice, I didn't understand a word of that'.Feel better tonight, more rested, just two more days till a day off, wonderful....still loving it...

Road to Bracketteville and Comfort

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Bad Night, Surprisingly Good Day - 90.6 miles to Los Maples.

Woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of rain, our first. Dashed outside as I had washing hanging between two trees and to cover Spikes leather saddle. It rained all night making the campsite a quagmire, but inside my tent I was lovely and dry.  Nothing for it but knuckle down and get on with it. Waterproofs on, muddy tent rolled up, muddy bags packed ( all in the dark ) soggy breakfast eaten, soggy lunch made and packed and get on the road. At least it wasn't cold.  Once on the road I realised Spike's tyres were caked in mud so grabbed a twig and cleared them. My shoes ,too, were covered in straw and mud.  Then the sun came up, the road surface was good, the wind was not too strong and it developed into a good day. This was a long day of over 90 miles, I was cooking for 14 people when I arrived so I had to get a move on.  I cycled through beautiful, lush valleys with wild flowers in abundance. A carpet of yellows, reds, purples and blues stretching on each side of the road. I also saw a small herd of what looked like antelope. What an impressive sight, my opinion of Texas was changing then a big black dog came hurtling out of no-where.  I was in good form today so shouted at it, increased speed and it eventually gave up.  As I approached a small town where I planned to stop for lunch I caught up with Dan, just then another two dogs took up the chase. Dan's theory is that if you stop pedalling, nothing is moving, so they don't know what to bite. I kept pedalling furiously, the dogs abandoned me and surrounded him. Lol. With 50 miles done we still had 3 big climbs to come. I have discovered this is where I am most at home and just left the guys behind. Hard, very hot, exceptionally steep twisting roads but oh so preferable to rough, flat roads with a full on headwind. Noticed my arms were covered in small blisters, must be caused by cycling slowly up the hills in the strong sun, no shade.  It was after 5.00pm by the time I reached camp but Alan, Alannah, and Lisa who had travelled in the van had put our tents out to dry and started preparing the meal. I had deliberately kept it simple, sliced cold chicken, carrots and parsnips, mashed potatoes and gravy. Fresh fruit salad with yoghurt to follow. It wasn't ready till 6.45pm but everyone was late in anyway. Washed and cleared up, map meeting for tomorrow, tent up, showered and it is now 10.00pm and I am writing this in my pitch dark tent.  Felt good about today, back on course, definitely.....still loving it....    

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On the Road to Bracketville

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The Texans are Sadists. Another Hard Day to Bracketville.

I was really pleased when I got up, this morning, at 6.15am, to find that Spike and I had fully recovered from our previoud day's exertions.  First night it was warm enough to sleep without sleeping bag, but didn't sleep too well as the tent was flapping in the strong wind.  I was one of the first away and felt good. It was another long day of 74.3 miles, the wind was about 15/20 mph, so not as bad as yesterday but still a headwind. Not as many hills so made good progress.  The paceline of Lars, Jon, Robert M, and Todd passed me and shouted 'join on', which I did for all of 50 yds, too fast. Negotiated my way through Del Rio but didn't see too much except fast food joints. Cycled across the Amistad Reservoir Bridge with lovely views but the traffic was thundering past so had to be careful. Passed the Lauchlin Army Air Field Base, one of the first airfields because of area suitability. With 20 miles I thought I was home and dry but not so.  The road surface changed to 'Texan Chipseal'. If you want to keep cyclists off the road, this is the stuff to use. Huge chips just thrown down, boneshaking. I couldn't stand it so lifted Spike onto the dirt track at the side of the road. It was hard packed dirt so a bit better. The custom patrols sweep these roads looking for footprints so goodness knows what they would make of my bike tyre marks. Eventually arrived at the Fort Clark RV Park. Huge. Two noisy Mexican families camped close by so maybe not much sleep again tonight. Early start tomorrow as cycling 89 miles, hills and headwinds are forecast and to crown it all I'm cooking. Dinner will be served at 9.0'clock. It's hard at the moment but guess what......still loving it.....

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