Back to Boerne

Today's route returns us to Boerne.  A mere 29 miles.  7 turns.  You can see the danger coming right?  

First, one would look at the day's elevations, and see that from Bandera to mile 19 is pretty much all uphill.  Of course, nothing to compare to the climb to Eagle's Nest, but anything is serious at this stage.  The legs are tired but you can tell everyone is stronger.

And, then, there's Joan.  7 turns, there is bound to be trouble.  She assured all of us she would stay in the peloton today.  And she did, although she tried her best to get our group off track.  We made sure someone else was in the lead all the way to the end.

The day started with a flat tire and cool temperatures, 41.  But, it doesn't take long to warm up when the sun is shining and you're climbing for 19 miles.  And as far as the flat, well that's the good part of a rental.  You don't necessarily have to change it yourself, especially a parking lot flat.  I think maybe yesterday's chip seal shook all the air out of the tire.

It was a great time at the Flying L Ranch last night.  

We had a pasta buffet at the ranch for supper.  I know, not very western; but after yesterday's work it really tasted good.

Following supper we were serenaded by singing cowboy Buck Jones.  No, not famous, other than at at the Flying L; but entertaining.  He performed around a campfire, and we were joined by a group from Austria who were also staying at the ranch.  These guys were riding motorcycles, and didn't speak much English.  Fortunately, one of our riders, Hilde, is from Germany and was able to communicate with them.  They kept asking Buck for "Johnny Cash."  Following the musical entertainment, there were self-service s'mores.  It was a fabulous last night of the trip.

We're back in San Antonio now.  I'm at the airport. Things have changed since I last traveled so much.  Free wi-fi used to be impossible to find.

It's been a great ride.  This was a good group.  Diverse, but really able to support each other.

Thanks for following along, the comments and, of course, the wheely bicycle jokes.

Day 5 -- The Epic Climb

It was everything it was advertised to be, but without photo proof and an exact grade measurement, you'll have take my word for it.  It was a climb.  Short but steep that began at mile 18.7.  Fortunately the steepest portion was only .3 miles but the total climb was about a mile.  At the steepest portion I had to stand on the pedals in the bail out gear to make the hairpin turn, otherwise I might have tipped over the the side of the hill and rolled all the way back to Kerrville!  It was fantastic!  Loved it!!

The total route was 45 miles today into Bandera, which is a great, vibrant western community.  It has a thriving downtown area that was full of traffic, tricky for a biker but good news for the community.

Most of us did the required 45 miles.  However, the Boston representative of the group (Joan) decided (by accident) that bonus miles were in order.  Joan decided to go to Center Point, Texas.  I'm not sure that community will ever be the same.  In my travels I've seen some interesting interactions between folks from the East and folks in the Midwest and West.  I can only imagine the conversations between Joan and the folks at the general store in Center Point.  Those folks, though, not only gave her water and directions, but one gentleman drove ahead and waited for her to get to the incorrect turn to make sure she got back on track.  81 miles later, the lost was found and the ride leaders were happy again.

The rest of the peloton stopped for lunch and baked goods at Love Creek Orchards store, bakery and cafe at mile 30.  This was a wide spot in the road but had this store, an ACE Hardware store, coffee shop and two other small cafes.  I only had an apple strudel, but it was very yummy.

We were back into heavy chip seal again today just prior to Love Creek and off and on the rest of the day.  I really feel for the area cyclists.

Temperatures were cool at the start of the day but warmed up fairly quickly.  We had sunshine and a bit of wind.

It was an incredible day!  Great climbing.  Great riding.

The overnight was just outside of Bandera at the Flying L Guest Ranch, complete with golf course, water park and tennis courts.  I'm afraid, though, things won't be well received by the group -- no hot tub,  a tragedy on a bike tour.

Sophia and Natalie's next edition of wheely bike jokes is a video.  I have to work on getting it posted here for you.  Standby.

Friday is the last day and back to Iowa.

Wearing It All Today!

Luggage was light this morning because we had it all on.  At the scheduled departure it was 44 degrees and 36 degree wind chill.  Yes, the wind was still blowing, and had changed direction.  That meant we had headwind AGAIN today.  There was some rain at breakfast time, so the start was delayed by an hour to 10:00.  So, not many photos today.  Put your head down and get through the miles as quick as you can.  I did stop for this photo, though because I thought it fit the day.

Yes, it was cold when we started.  I wore capris with leg warmers, booties (for the first time ever, a base layer, long sleeve jersey and the Gore Tex jacket.  I bought that jacket before I went to Alaska.  It has paid for itself many times over.

The cue sheet was two pages long for a 39 mile day, which means there were A LOT of turns.  Lots of risk for bonus miles today.  But, it also meant that we turned out of the wind within the first 10 miles and pretty much had a kicking tail wind the rest of the day -- swweeettt!

Roads were good.  The chip seal has tamed down for now, smaller rock which really helps.  The epic climb was misstated, although there were still plenty of hills.  We'll be headed to Eagle's Nest tomorrow, with unknown grade for about .3 miles.  I expect it to be short, quick and steep.  Gearing will be important before you get there.

Roads were also extremely quiet today, so it was easy to get into a zone and just crank out the miles.  Everyone is in agreement that this was one of the best days so far even after the cold start.

We're in Kerrville tonight, which according to the Texas contingent on the trip is pronounced Kervul,  all one syllable.  One of the nuances of Texas I guess.  We also saw wild boar along the route today, something else you don't see in Iowa.

The lunch stop was at the Guadalupe River Park in Kerrville, and was actually cooked by the guides.  The menu included grilled cheese sandwiches, a bean sprout salad, chips and all other snack food that's normal on the bike trip.  I know, you're wondering how they cooked?

The trailer actually has a kitchen in it.  They have propane tanks on the trailer hitch.  The company cooks all breakfast and supper meals on their cross country trips, something I haven't experienced with any of the other companies I've toured with.  And, just let me say the grilled turkey and cheese sandwich was the best "I ever ate" today. 

  

This was the view at lunch --

The shorter day, even with the late start, allowed for some stops after lunch.  Some folks stopped at the local bike shops and I believe some found a Nature Center that is under development and was able to investigate their new bike path.  I manged to get to my first Dairy Queen of the trip.  I know, that doesn't seem quite right.  Why else do we ride?

We had our first Texas barbecue tonight at a local spot, Bill's Barbecue.  You expected to see Guy Fietti walk through the doors.  This place was so small, that it was full by the time we all got in.  The barbecue was fantastic and the staff was entertaining.

It's onto Bandera tomorrow, no special enunciation that I know of..  I understand it is the cowboy capital of the universe.  A campfire and s'mores are on the agenda for tomorrow evening.

Here is Natalie and Sophia's wheely bicycle joke of the day.  The banking viewers will really enjoy this one.

Q.  Why aren't bank tellers allowed to ride bicycles?

A.  They tend to lose their balance!

Good night!

Everyone Knows Someone from Iowa!

It was a typical morning breakfast with other guests asking all the normal questions about where we were going and where we were from.  When I'm asked, my standard response is "Iowa."  The woman this morning pushed for more, "Quad Cities," I say.  "You mean like Davenport?"  Well, yes I do. " I've been to Davenport and loved it!"  Small world.

But then, there was this very random encounter on the route today.  I had stopped to take a picture when this car stopped with some seniors in it who were just out enjoying the day and looking at the Blue Bonnets.  The woman said that this must be a popular bike route.  I had to confess I had no idea as I was from out of town.  She pressed on, "Well where are you from?"   Again, the standard Iowa response.  "We have friends from Iowa!!"  She was so enthused and should have stopped there.  "We just saw three more cyclists climbing that big hill!"  (Referring to the direction I was going.....<sigh>)

This is probably the only hill that we haven't climbed yet, but there's still time --

It looks like a beautiful home or lodge being built that will be the envy of all the neighbors.  The views will certainly be spectacular.  We've learned that there are many hunting resorts in this area, so from the looks of the size I suspect it might be a lodge.  

The route today was 56 miles and was predicted to be one of the most scenic of the trip.  It was scenic, and time will tell if it was the "most."  The Blue Bonnets were plentiful as well as many other wildflowers that I don't know.  It's my understanding today that Blue Bonnets are a relative of the north country Lupins.  They are so tiny and dainty, and quite spectacular.  I can understand why they were the favorite of Lady Bird Johnson.

I thought frequently of friend Linda Wilson today.  The wind was not a friend today.  These were at the top of one of the climbs.  It probably goes without saying that we were headed in the opposite direction.

Hills, heat and headwind, a cyclist's three H's.  The wind actually helped with the heat to a small extent.  Otherwise, it would have been a brutal day.

I took more photos than normal today.  This is one of the more interesting non-horticulture things that we saw.  A cowboy's way of recycling I guess.  All fence posts on this stretch were topped with cowboy boots.

As a follow up to yesterday's ATM, this is one that was found along the route today behind a barbecue shack.  I'm guessing maybe not ADA or PCI compliant.

Tomorrow's route is only 39 miles, but the forecast is not favorable so it could be another tough day.  According to the guides, tomorrow's route includes the toughest climb of the trip.  Hard to imagine anything tougher that today's four miler with unknown pitch into a headwind.  

Natalie and Sophia (and probably there mom) were feeling creative today.  Wheely bike joke #1--
What do you get if you cross a bicycle and a flower?
A:  Bicycle petals

Wheely bike joke bonus --
What does a bicycle call her dad?
A:  A pop-cycle

It's what keeps us going here!

No Waylon or Willie Sightings Today...

But there was plenty of traffic in Luckenbach when we were there.  The population was multiplied at least 10 fold, but of course the official population is 3!

Yes, we rode through Luckenbach today.  It really is quite the happening place.

This is the General Store.  It has all Luckenback souvenirs one could ever want.  There's a little bar in the back -- enough room for two customers, the bartender, and one musician.  The sign says music starts at 9 a.m. everyday and there was someone playing this afternoon.  There is also a huge outdoor amphitheater type area, the old indoor theater which they are trying to restore, a restaurant, and if you look to the left of the General Store there's an outdoor ATM.  What more could you ask for?

This is the front of the ATM.  The sign posted on the right says, "Please keep the door closed.  The sun burns the screen."  I opened the door and sure enough there's a Mini Bank inside!  (With a $2.50 surcharge, by the way.)

This was the highlight of today's route, but of course there was only one other town on the route today -- Blanco.  It's claim to fame is for the location shoot of the movie "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" with Brad Pitt.  The courthouse is magnificent and appears to have turned into a tourist center.

The weather was cool and drizzly all day.  Hard to dress for but nice to ride in as opposed to the 90 degrees that was in the forecast.  I invested in new rain gear before coming on this trip.  I broke out the rain jacket this morning and wore it for about 5 miles.  I felt like I was in a sauna!  The jacket went in the bag.  

The route was advertised as easier than yesterday.  Check out mile 41 on the elevations below.  Yes, there are Hills in Hill Country.  That one made everybody whiny!

We're in Fredericksburg the next two nights and doing the what's known as the Willow City Loop tomorrow, 56 miles and 3200 feet of climb.  We expect to see some great scenery tomorrow.  It looks like weather might be the same tomorrow with temperatures in the 80's and storms tomorrow night.  Only 62 on Wednesday, but I hear snow in Iowa on Wednesday.  Sorry!

Accommodations have been fabulous. The group is diverse and fun.  There are folks from all over the country.  Some very strong riders.  Some folks that are on their first tour.  The ride is staffed with two guides, who are very experienced.

Here is today's wheely bad cycling joke from Natalie and Sophia --
How do you catch a unique bicyclist?  "Unique" up on her, of course!
Keep them coming girls!!

Yes, It Is "Hill" Country for a Reason

It's beautiful here at this time of year.  Grass is green.  Trees have leaves.  The wildflowers, including the blue bonnets are blooming.

Today's route reminded me of southeast Missouri, only the hills here a bit more forgiving even though there are a lot of them and not close enough together to utilize the momentum going down to get up the other side.  Rats!  An unfortunate situation for an untrained, flatlander!!

Here's how the day went, see below --

Simple right?  Left out of the motel.  Straight 15 miles, take a right.  We were lost within a mile and a half!  How can that be????  Well, something about a new intersection that wasn't there previously.  It had to be the cue sheet, not the directionally challenged.  Oh well, at least we realized it when we got to a T intersection...this doesn't seem right! Ha!

Also note the handwritten note at mile 21.  No lying there!

All in all a good day.  64 miles in the books.  Tomorrow is advertised as 65 miles with 4,100 feet of climb (maybe only one more hill than today).  We had overcast skies the majority of the day with sun late in the afternoon.

The rental bike is a Terry Symmetry.  It's an aluminum frame with a triple ring.  One of the other guests said, "Don't you have something with a double ring?"  Whatever for would be my response!  There's Hills out there!!

This is where friend Bob Wilson would call me a bike snob.  Yes, I REALLY miss my Trek bike. This thing weighs A TON.  But, I really don't think my carbon fiber frame would be nearly as nice on these chip seal roads.  We are spoiled in the upper Midwest.  The DOT works hard to keep things smooth.

This is along the route this morning.  Absolutely gorgeous.  I'm not one to stop and take many photos, but I just could not resist.  The route meandered along this river, and the houses on the hills are able to enjoy it everyday!

Low water bridges were prevalent.  As well as cattle guards, just like the rural roads of Missouri.  No high water issues today, and the only sign of cattle was residue along side the road.

We ran into another tour group today going the opposite direction.  We'll probably see them again in Fredericksburg later in the week.  They are with Adventure Cycling (campers!).  They were a group of about 50 riders.

So I'll close tonight with the joke that Natalie and Sophia sent today at about mile 30 --

Why did the cyclist carry an extra helmet?  In case she got "ahead!"   Carried me several miles down the road today!  Thanks girls!!

The Adventure Begins

Travel was smooth.  Flights were not full and on time all the way to San Antonio.  Sun was shining.  Temperature was......80!!

We are in Boerne (pronounced Bernie) tonight, staying at Ye Kendall Inn.  Very quaint little place just off the Main Street, which isn't called Main Street in this German community.  We arrived at 3:00.  There was a car show uptown after we arrived, and a wedding on the grounds of the Inn.

Our accommodations are in these log cabins.  The wedding was in the courtyard behind them, complete with the bride in a wedding dress and cowboy boots.  I guess it only makes sense.

This wedding thing seems to be a trend.  Some of you will remember that there was a wedding on one of the legs of the cross country tour too!

After fitting bikes, some of us walked uptown and window shopped the local stores.  It appears to be a very active community, and a hot bed for motorcyclists too.

Supper was at a local restaurant.  I can say the steak was excellent.  Someone once told me to eat like local, so I figured beef was the way to go here!

We are a group of 12 riders and 2 guides.  One of the guides just completed a trip in Louisiana.  The second guide is just in from her home in Haines, Alaska.

Everyone is apprehensive to get the first riding day in the books -- 60 miles and 3,447 feet of climb.  Forecast is good.  We're off to Wimberley first thing tomorrow!