A Day in the Life of a Trans America Biker....

I thought I might try to explain the routine of the day. Whoever is on cooking duty gives Dave a list of shopping, enough for 14 people. This is bought in the morning, by him, and is ready for you to prepare, on a 2 burner gas ring, when you roll into camp. You just hope you are cooking on a low mileage day and not a 90 miler. This happened to me the last time it was my turn and I didn't get my tent up till after 8.00pm. Woe is me. When we arrive in camp the van is already there and snacks eg. Crisps, biscuits, nuts, fruit, soft drinks and beer are waiting. After sampling and relaxing I haul my two bags out the van and pick a suitable site to pitch my tent. Usually near a tree so Spike can have a rest and I can hang my washing. I take my sleep mat out first and let it self inflate while I put the tent up which I can do in about 3 minutes, poles slotted into groundsheet, inner clipped on then outer fly clipped into place and tightened. Pegs hammered in and that's it. Next I strip Spike of his 2 bags, map, bike computer and video camera and put them in the tent. I blow up the mat, if I have any puff left, then prepare my sleeping bag and pillow. I made a wee flannelette pillow case for my travel pillow and I love it. Next, I shower, change, hand washing or laundry done then sit in the glorious sunshine and blether till meal time. After our meal, we have a map meeting when the leaders go over the route for the next day and we decide what time breakfast will be. Then, I usually write up my diary and update my blog and perhaps visit a Dairy Queen for a late ice-cream. Next morning I try and rise an hour before breakfast. In the early stages of our trip I could be up as early as 5.30am when it was dark, windy and freezing. I stagger to the shower block, torch in hand, wash and dress there for warmth. Then stagger back to my tent and prepare for the road. Chuck everything out of tent and load Spike up first; bags, map, video camera, and check I have phone, passport etc. Roll clothes and other things and pack bag. All in the dark. The tent is now empty apart from mat and sleeping bag. I now stuff, stuff and stuff that darned bag into its small sack and tighten the straps. I can get it down to 6"x7". Next I open the mat valve and fold it in half, lengthways, I hurl myself on it to expell the air, close valve, roll matt,hurl and expell air, roll matt hurl and expell air till it is rolled up. Next the tent, pegs out, outerfly unclipped and rolled, inner fly unclipped and rolled, ground sheet folded and poles unclipped and folded. I now take my two bags and heave them onto the van. We make our own breakfast and lunch - I have cereal and orange juice then make cheese roll, banana, 2 biscuits and some crisps. Although exhausted by my efforts I now get on Spike and cycle into the sunrise for another enjoyable/gruelling day in the saddle. Isn't life wonderful, just love it....

Poor Wet Souls

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Violent Thunderstorms, Heavy Rain - Silsbee 75.5 miles

Well I spoke too soon didn't I ? During the night there was a violent, lightning thunderstorm, we were up watching, as it crashed overhead. There have been tornado warnings slightly further north so Dan did not ride today because of the threat. We all have to make our own decisions. Anyway, today was overcast but I managed 40 miles before the heavens opened and it poured. Some of my fellow riders have never cycled in rain before - Dee didn't own a rain jacket until this trip!! You should have seen some of the outfits!! I was nearly at the campsite when the van flagged me down to say we were transferring to a motel as the site was flooded. Great. Now, nice and warm with wet clothing draped everywhere. The spray being thrown up by these huge American lorries, is quite frightening. Today, we passed along straight, long avenues lined with tall trees, one stretch lasted over 10 miles, I thought it would never end. Also, I was chased by two dogs but only the breadth of their garden, which was big,  everything in Texas is big. I counted 21 churches on the route, 9 in the first 15 miles.I'm sure I missed some too as I lost concentration when the rain came on. Where do they get their congregations. It has taken us 18 days to cross Texas and tomorrow is our last day. I found Texas  beautiful, lush, big, harsh and not what I expected. I thought it would be scrubland but the fields of rich wildflowers and greenness took me by surprise. The trip is rapidly moving along, no day off in Merryville as we saving it for New Orleans.....still looving it....  

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Daves's Lovely House, Road Signs showing outline of Texas, Lake Conroe, Bull at Entrance to Ranch, Chalets we are staying in tonight.

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No Rain but Hot, Hot Day to Coldspring 64.4 miles.

Didn't sleep too well at Dave's, too hot. Bev made us a lovely breafast of mini bacon quiches, egg and bacon flan, melon, strawberries and muffins (?). The americans put everything on the one plate mixing hot and cold. Not for me. Dave ferried us all back to Navasota and another 64.4 mile day beckoned. Beautiful wooded, Sam Houston State Park stretched on both sides of the road often showing signs of fire damage. This is a major problem here and the rangers have signs posted stating the threat level. Thankfully low at the moment. Cycled across bridge at Lake Conroe, very windy.  Butterflys flit everywhere, one even went down my t-shirt and hitched a lift for the next 30 miles. They cling to the road surface, so tiny, probably for warmth making them difficult to avoid. Also, a snake slithered across my path, I swerved, and it swerved back into my path  

but I managed to avoid it. There are Churches around every corner, or so it seems, must make a point of counting them tomorrow. No rain during cycle, but hot, very hot. I went into a store to buy an ice-cream and when I came out the heat hit me like a wall. I don't drink nearly as much as the rest, don't feel the need, but think it is something I will need to redress as I felt a bit sluggish today.  As I write, 5.00pm the rain has come on,  pouring down, thunder too. Maybe clear the air, first rain I have seen in 6 weeks ( just saying ). Oh, it looks as though it is going off, we have had our 15 minutes worth, sun back out again. Lovely.....still loving it...

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On the Road to Navasota

Smallest Catholic Church in the World, Longhorn Cattle, Spike being Loaded on the Van, Dave's House, (no picture of front of house, will try and get one)

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Heading East to Navasota, Texas - 66.6 miles

Slept not too badly after my 100 miler. Another 66.6  miles to do today. Set off with Todd and Merv and felt strong.  After 20 miles we cycled through a small village and I eventually had my pancake breakfast, a pancake stack, maple syrup, and egg 'over easy'. I was so happy and cruised the next 30 miles. More lush Texas scenery, it just goes on and on, overcast with a crosswind but very warm. Dave, our leader, lives near Navasota so we are staying at his house tonight. All 13 of us are sleeping on beds or available floor space. Fortunately, it is a huge, beautiful, ranch type house, plenty land with a lake in the grounds. His wife, Bev, had snacks ready for us and we are going out for a BBQ later, followed by desserts back at the house. I am so impressed with Southern Hospitality. Another example happened yesterday when we came upon workmen tarrying a road We couldn't pass and the foreman offered to get in his truck and look for a bypass road. We had our maps so worked things out for ourselves. He then offered to fill up our water bottles from his supply. So considerate.  We have a couple of more days in Texas but we are out of the Texas Hill Country and are now officially in the Deep South. Very hot tonight but it is raining outside, what is that stuff, hope it goes off before morning, don't really care cause.....still loving it....

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