80 miles, Flat and hot, 85 degrees.
We celebrated leaving Texas and coming into a new state, Louisiana. The terrain has been transitioning for several days into a swampy, bayou look. Plenty of bridges going over the swamps.
We were four riding together and that helped considerably as the wind was usually in our face. The keep some consistent pace it was helpful to change which one of us was pace setting but not pushing any speed. Most of the roads were in excellent condition. We all helped each other keep a good attitude as the scenery got boring and the heat and humidity were taking its toll. I went through 4 camelbak fills which added up to about 350 ounces of water and I felt I was lucky to break even. Having a sag for just the water is huge.
Wish I had more to report but we all arrived hot, tired but safe.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Almost out of Texas, Cleveland to Silsbee, TX
64 miles, 500' of elevation gain, 82 degrees
Flat ride along timber country was today's ride. Nothing remarkable about the ride. The road continues to be quite excellent and well maintained with a wide shoulder. With 5 of us riding as a team, it was a quick ride in and arrived by 12:30 and had lunch across from our hotel. Good to have a new state to look forward to tomorrow and will have our new state party.
There is a lot of logging in this part of Texas but the truck drivers were very respectful and gave a wide berth. Although you heard dogs barking, I did not have any chasing us. You can almost see the hint of a cultural change happening.
Flat ride along timber country was today's ride. Nothing remarkable about the ride. The road continues to be quite excellent and well maintained with a wide shoulder. With 5 of us riding as a team, it was a quick ride in and arrived by 12:30 and had lunch across from our hotel. Good to have a new state to look forward to tomorrow and will have our new state party.
There is a lot of logging in this part of Texas but the truck drivers were very respectful and gave a wide berth. Although you heard dogs barking, I did not have any chasing us. You can almost see the hint of a cultural change happening.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Happy Day on Woman Tours, Navasota to Cleveland, TX
75 miles, 2200' of elevation gain, 78 degrees
Well, East Texas is growing on all of us for its forests, smooth roads and little rollers that are fun to fly down and pop up the other side. Horses, horses, horses for the first portion of the ride. Then we passed by Lake Conroy that is so large that I thought I had slept through three weeks like Rip Van Winkle and woke up in St Augustine. No such luck but the ride through the Sam Houston National Forest where Lake Conroy is located was just a delight. Great roads many with wide shoulders added to the enjoyment of the day. The roads were so clean, I thought the Woman Tours staff were ahead of us running a street sweeper.
The Woman Tours staff always know when I had a really great day when I'm not out cleaning my bike.When I have had a really tough day and need to go into my happy place, I am out cleaning and polishing my titanium Serotta. On really bad days, I wash and clean the tires and wheels as well as the rest of the bike. Was given the Martha Stewart award for bike maintenance.
Tomorrow is our last full day of riding in Texas. We are all ready to start a new state but have found East Texas a pleasant surprise.
Well, East Texas is growing on all of us for its forests, smooth roads and little rollers that are fun to fly down and pop up the other side. Horses, horses, horses for the first portion of the ride. Then we passed by Lake Conroy that is so large that I thought I had slept through three weeks like Rip Van Winkle and woke up in St Augustine. No such luck but the ride through the Sam Houston National Forest where Lake Conroy is located was just a delight. Great roads many with wide shoulders added to the enjoyment of the day. The roads were so clean, I thought the Woman Tours staff were ahead of us running a street sweeper.
The Woman Tours staff always know when I had a really great day when I'm not out cleaning my bike.When I have had a really tough day and need to go into my happy place, I am out cleaning and polishing my titanium Serotta. On really bad days, I wash and clean the tires and wheels as well as the rest of the bike. Was given the Martha Stewart award for bike maintenance.
Tomorrow is our last full day of riding in Texas. We are all ready to start a new state but have found East Texas a pleasant surprise.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Perfect Day In Texas, La Grange to Navasota, TX
72 miles, 2800' of elevation, 70 degrees
This was the kind of ride every cyclist dreams of. Picture perfect weather, along beautiful roads with an explosion of Blue Bonnet wildflowers. None of us rushed this ride as we didn't want it to really end and speed was of no concern.
The roads the last two days have been excellent and a far cry from the chip seal that threatens rider and bike. It was a day to look around and as I rode all of today on my own, I enjoyed the quiet and it brought me back to why I love to ride my bike. Locals start conversations with me and give me some of the local color and I in turn tell them a little about myself and where I am from and what I am doing. Walmarts all look the same but very little else does.
We helped one of our group celebrate her 50th birthday with chef Linda outdoing herself
Tomorrow is a much needed rest day in a quiet little town.
This was the kind of ride every cyclist dreams of. Picture perfect weather, along beautiful roads with an explosion of Blue Bonnet wildflowers. None of us rushed this ride as we didn't want it to really end and speed was of no concern.
The roads the last two days have been excellent and a far cry from the chip seal that threatens rider and bike. It was a day to look around and as I rode all of today on my own, I enjoyed the quiet and it brought me back to why I love to ride my bike. Locals start conversations with me and give me some of the local color and I in turn tell them a little about myself and where I am from and what I am doing. Walmarts all look the same but very little else does.
We helped one of our group celebrate her 50th birthday with chef Linda outdoing herself
Tomorrow is a much needed rest day in a quiet little town.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Yep, We are still in Texas, Bastrop to La Grange
41 miles,
41 miles, 1800' of elevation, 77 degrees and wild winds
We started the ride with the threat of thunderstorms and consequently we all had our rain gear for the first time since this ride started. Although, thunder and lightening were to our left, we never had them come over us but the resulting winds did become a problem. As wicked cross winds, they offered a challenge to bike handling skills. As a tail wind they were a welcomed push.
Just 3 miles into the ride, we entered Bastrop State Park with little if any traffic. Heavily treed, the park offered a total wind break and up and down rollers. Unfortunately, the ups reached 17% on two different occasions and it hardly felt like a recovery ride at times. We eventually came out of the park at which point we were greeted by those humbling winds.
The scenery was tall trees and lush ranches and we reached La Grange by lunch time just before the winds increased even more.
Three more days of riding in Texas.
41 miles, 1800' of elevation, 77 degrees and wild winds
We started the ride with the threat of thunderstorms and consequently we all had our rain gear for the first time since this ride started. Although, thunder and lightening were to our left, we never had them come over us but the resulting winds did become a problem. As wicked cross winds, they offered a challenge to bike handling skills. As a tail wind they were a welcomed push.
Just 3 miles into the ride, we entered Bastrop State Park with little if any traffic. Heavily treed, the park offered a total wind break and up and down rollers. Unfortunately, the ups reached 17% on two different occasions and it hardly felt like a recovery ride at times. We eventually came out of the park at which point we were greeted by those humbling winds.
The scenery was tall trees and lush ranches and we reached La Grange by lunch time just before the winds increased even more.
Three more days of riding in Texas.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
We are still in Texas, Blanco to Bastrop
93 miles, 3000' of elevation, 80 degrees
The first 60 miles were the Texas Hill Country up and downs with a head wind to keep us humble. Had plenty of time to ask myself why I just don't stick to golf and quilting. The ride went through Wimberley which is a quaint small town in the hill country with coffee shops, antique shops and the like not that I stopped to see anything. Fortunately, I had stayed in Wimberley several years ago on a BAC ride that just did two weeks of the hill country and was able to really appreciate the town. When you have 93 miles to ride one does not linger.
The toughest stretch of the ride was when we rode for 7 miles in open farmland and getting slammed by 15-20 mph winds. Though shall not give up the quest, however, it will just take a little longer. There were a number of lunch choices in Lockhart but I have never been able to sit long when there is a high mileage do so after eating a PB&J sandwich at the sag, I kept going and the last 30 miles we had a tail wind blowing us into Bastrop. You can never count on a tail wind but was happy for the help.Happy news, Chef Linda is once again cooking tonight.
The first 60 miles were the Texas Hill Country up and downs with a head wind to keep us humble. Had plenty of time to ask myself why I just don't stick to golf and quilting. The ride went through Wimberley which is a quaint small town in the hill country with coffee shops, antique shops and the like not that I stopped to see anything. Fortunately, I had stayed in Wimberley several years ago on a BAC ride that just did two weeks of the hill country and was able to really appreciate the town. When you have 93 miles to ride one does not linger.
The toughest stretch of the ride was when we rode for 7 miles in open farmland and getting slammed by 15-20 mph winds. Though shall not give up the quest, however, it will just take a little longer. There were a number of lunch choices in Lockhart but I have never been able to sit long when there is a high mileage do so after eating a PB&J sandwich at the sag, I kept going and the last 30 miles we had a tail wind blowing us into Bastrop. You can never count on a tail wind but was happy for the help.Happy news, Chef Linda is once again cooking tonight.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Second Half, Kerrville to Blanco
65 miles, 2800' of elevation, 78 degrees
This marked the beginning of the second half of the tour with yet another beautiful day in the Texas Hill Country. The wildflowers are not out yet but the lush greenery added with the hills made for a beautiful ride. The heavy overcast skies kept the temps way down. Yesterday, the temps hit 95 degrees but since we had an off day, no one had to ride. As a matter of fact, many of the bikes went into the shop two days ago to have them cleaned, lubed and adjusted. Fortunately, I do all of that myself so I was not involved with the shop.
Started out of Kerrville on relatively good roads and soon we were out of the city environs and into country. The chip seal was there to greet us but their were only a few really bad places that you had to slow and be careful with. Nevertheless, the Hill Country draws a lot of cyclist including self contained cyclists who are always fun to talk to. I am finding it tough enough to do the cross country ride with my titanium Serotta that weighs only 15lbs. Can't imagine what it would be like to be fully loaded.
I see St Augustine in the distance.
This marked the beginning of the second half of the tour with yet another beautiful day in the Texas Hill Country. The wildflowers are not out yet but the lush greenery added with the hills made for a beautiful ride. The heavy overcast skies kept the temps way down. Yesterday, the temps hit 95 degrees but since we had an off day, no one had to ride. As a matter of fact, many of the bikes went into the shop two days ago to have them cleaned, lubed and adjusted. Fortunately, I do all of that myself so I was not involved with the shop.
Started out of Kerrville on relatively good roads and soon we were out of the city environs and into country. The chip seal was there to greet us but their were only a few really bad places that you had to slow and be careful with. Nevertheless, the Hill Country draws a lot of cyclist including self contained cyclists who are always fun to talk to. I am finding it tough enough to do the cross country ride with my titanium Serotta that weighs only 15lbs. Can't imagine what it would be like to be fully loaded.
I see St Augustine in the distance.
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