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!