March 25, 2017. Buescher State Park Texas to Houston Texas, 78 miles, and 1776 miles from the Pacific. A great day to be on the bike. Beautifully clear Texas skies with relatively cool temperatures and even a tailwind now and then. I wake up in camp happy excited for the chance to get to Houston to see my host son Dominik on his birthday. I call and make arrangements to be picked up in north of Houston to avoid city traffic. I ride 20 miles then stop for breakfast in La Grange. I meet a nice lady who buys me breakfast and gives me an alternative route to Houston. She is the coordinator for the MS 150 rides in Texas and knows the area roads well. Her son is a semi pro bicycle rider. Her suggestions turn out to be a golden. And once again I am taken care of by the kindness of a perfect stranger. Seems like trail magic happens every day if I am paying attention and paying forward. After breakfast I noticed my body is feeling a little drained today. By early afternoon I start to feel the signs of bonking. I know the feelings well enough not to ignore them. Shaky legs and fuzzy vision. I down a banana, a power bar, and some Gatorade but I am still dogging it. At 1 PM I find a shade tree along side the road and take a nice siesta. Before I lay down I check my surroundings for fire ants and snakes. I awake feeling better but still dogging it. I eat a tuna fish sandwich and some salty potato chips and stop by a roadside stand for some ice cream and more Gatorade. My Energy finally returns to near normal and I make it to our scheduled meeting point in time. I get a big hug from the birthday boy and we drive to Houston with my bike in the back of his car. I will spend the next couple days giving Horse some much needed love and maintenance, catching up on some rest, and giving Camp Happy good cleaning before I begin the second half of this journey.
Cheers
Freebird
Blog
March 24 2017
March 24 2017. Austin Texas to Buescher State Park Texas 55 miles, 1698 miles from the Pacific. A nice day to be on a bike. I waited out a morning rain shower, then decided to ride when it wouldn’t go away. I made good time until afternoon when the route took me through Bastrop State Park. The climbs were so steep (17%) that I had to walk most of them. The payback was gorgeous views, peacefulness, and the smell of the beautiful pine forest. Just about when I was out of energy and water the down hill began. Sweeping turns and smooth roads all the way to the bottom of this plateau. Camp Happy is set up next to a pretty little lake. I hear the rumbling of thunder in the distance and smile at the unknown knowing everything will be just fine because it always is. I hope you got a chance to embrace the unknown today. Cheers
Freebird
March 23
March 23, 2017. Johnson City Texas to Austin Texas 55 miles and 1643 miles from the Pacific. Horse and I are on the road headed east as the sun pops over the horizon. The sunrise is a beautiful yellow orange with streams of light in all directions. This is still Hillcountry so I climb and descend, and then climb and descend repeatedly until I get to downtown Austin. I ride past beautiful little streams in every valley. Some of them come complete with a water hazard over the road. I put horses in boat gear and we splash our way through. He gets a much-needed bath and I get wet shoes. The wind is very strong but mostly from the side. When I head south it’s like hitting a brick wall. When I turn north it’s like someone lights a rocket. By 3 PM the wind gusts have hit 40 mph. But I am at my Warm Showers Host for the night by then. Austin is a beautiful town. The smell of blooming lilacs fill the air and the birds are nest building. So this is what Spring feels like. I ride along the river with beautiful views of downtown. On the Lance Armstrong bike trail I get to thinking I could use some of those performance enhancement drugs about now. I hope your day was filled with a beautiful sunrise or sunset and smells of lilacs.
Take care, Freebird
March 21
March 21, 2017. Lost Maples State Park Texas to Kerrville Texas 50 wonderful miles, and 1518 miles from the Pacific. I am just a little over halfway to the Atlantic. I need to tell you about the stars last night. The sky was unbelievably clear. I saw constellations that I had never seen before and they were easy for me to pick out. Orion’s belt shined like a silver warrior and the big dipper with its handle facing downward towards the mountains to the east was just beautiful. I could’ve stared at that sky all night long but my eyes were too sleepy. Just before sunrise I pack up camp happy and eat a light breakfast. The map shows a big climb right away this morning so I try not to eat too much. I leave the state park and turn left onto Highway 187. Deer and turkeys are dancing around in the early morning light. There is a cool light mist in the air as morning clouds move in. I put horse in low gear and start to climb. My legs muscles refuse to cooperate. I swallow my pride and push horse and all my gear up the mountain. We get to the top of the first pass and my legs are warmed up and feeling better. Beautiful wildflowers line the roadside and to bend towards the morning sunlight. It’s an up-and-down ride all the way to The small town of Hunt for lunch. With the help of some locals I find the some of the best food in Texas. Crusted trout with pasta and vegetables and then a chocolate pecan pie with ice cream for dessert. Life becomes wonderfuller. The ride into Kerrville follows the Guadalupe River. Traffic is light and the afternoon sun becomes hot. But Horse and I are cooled by the shade of the huge trees that line the road next to the river. It feels as air-conditioning as we ride through a green tunnel somewhere in utopia. I arrive in Kerrville and get a room at the local Motel 6, do some laundry and take a nap. Life on the road was good today. I hope you got a chance to experience life with dessert today too.
Cheers, Freebird
March 20
March 20, 2017. Camp Wood Texas to Lost Maples State Park somewhere in the Texas Hill country. 44 miles today and 1468 miles from the Pacific. I am approaching the halfway point to Saint Augustine Florida my final destination. This is some beautiful country and the prettiest part of Texas so far. Lots of difficult climbing today but Horse and I both knew it was coming. Almost lost my pancake breakfast on the first set of hills. Us midwesterners would call these mountains. The road goes straight up with a 10 to 15% grade for 6 miles and then straight down. And then repeats a bunch of times. I am still smiling from the fast downhill runs today but my legs are not that happy. Uphill was a blistering 4 mph with sweat running off every inch of my body. And then down the other side at over 40 mph. Maybe I should have used the brakes but I was just having too much fun. Camp Happy is set up next to the Sabina River. It is peaceful and beautiful here. I hope you found some peaceful moments today too.
Cheers, Freebird
March 19
March 19, 2017. Brackettville Texas to Camp Wood Texas. 50 miles. 1424 Miles from the Pacific. I unzip the tent fly and crawled out of camp happy. It is still dark. I hazy moon shines overhead. Mosquitoes come after me for breakfast. The tent is wet from last nights dew. I pack up and head into town for breakfast. Horse and I head up Highway 334 and into the Texas Hill-country. The chip seal road is very rough and soon my hands turn numb from the constant vibration of this gravel, stone, and tar combination. Horse complains, but I reminded him that at least we don’t have a headwind today. There is always something to be grateful for. The local sheriff stops by as I take a break beside the road. He is very nice and asked if i need anything. He warns me about the illegal human trafficking in the area and tells me to be aware what’s going on around me. I ride past a large solar installation producing electricity for part of Southwest Texas. This is a big ranch country. It is lush and green and full of cattle. I start to climb into the hill country and it becomes even more beautiful. Some cactus flowers are in full bloom and there is a flowery smell in the air. I know it is not me. The Early-morning clouds quickly burn off and the intense Texas sun quickly warms to 90 degrees. Just before town there is a county park next to the Camp Wood River. It is beautiful. I get a campsite, empty my pockets and jump into The cool refreshing clear water. The soothing cold water suddenly makes life all better. The memories of today’s rough roads and long climbs quickly disappear and once again I am living the dream. I hope you get a chance to disappear into one of your dreams today too.
Cheers, Freebird
March 18, 2017
March 18, 2017. Del Rio Texas to Brackettville Texas 38 miles and 1374 Miles from the Pacific.
A nice short ride today as I try to recover some of my energy from the long West Texas Desert Crossing. Tomorrow starts the Texas Hill country which is known for its ability to destroy bikers pride. The route takes a turn north tomorrow toward Fredericksburg and then east to Austin. The weather today was good for biking. Some rain showers just as Horse and I leave town. I welcome it with a big smile and stick out my tongue to catch the raindrops. It’s been a long long time since I’ve seen moisture fall from the sky. Horse seems to enjoy the free shower as much as I do and he begins to show his true colors once again. The morning rain gives way to a sunny afternoon. Unfortunately the wind gods still have not received my message and daily requests for a tailwind. So I am kind of getting used to the headwind thing. I trick myself into thinking that I’m going fast by using airspeed instead of groundspeed. It helps me make peace with the wind. Camp happy is set in beautiful little park in Old Fort Clark next to a crystal clear babbling brook. It has a shower and running water. Life is good. Spring has sprung in this part of Texas and everything is green and blooming. Even the mosquito is here at my camp. My new friend and riding partner Per (from Norway) has decided to stay in Del Rio for a couple more days so it’s just Horse and I and the open road. Maybe we will run into each other further down the road as we crossed this great nation of ours. I hope you got a chance to sit next to a babbling brook and do absolutely nothing but listen to the stillness and peacefulness of the natural world. Cheers, Freebird
March 17, 2017
March 17, 2017. Langley Texas to Del Rio Texas 60 miles. 1336 miles from the Pacific.
A great day to be on the bike. I saddled up Horse long before dawn trying once again outsmart West Texas headwinds. Turns out it didn’t take a break even at night. So onward i must go. I meet up with Per (pronounced P-air) that I met a couple a days ago. He is from Norway and in his middle 60s. Former helicopter pilot and all-around great guy. To get in shape for the ride across the southern tier he a told me that he rode across part of Australia. And I thought a couple hours in the gym every day for eight weeks was impressive. Per has an awesome headlight and I have a good tail light so we make a good team. One advantage of Climbing these hills in the dark is that you can’t see how big they are. Coming down hill is a bit on the hairy-scary. All that is soon forgotten as we ride into an amazing sunrise. Bright Colors of every shade of orange and yellow lit up the Horizon. The day stays cool as clouds moved in and we get a sprinkle here and there. We cross the Pecos River just before lunch. Judge Roy Bean and the law or lawlessness west of the Pecos
Is famous around here. We take several rest stops and try to pace ourselves against this wind. It seems better than yesterday-less gusty but still a force to be reckoned. We make it to Comstock just as the only lunch café in town opens. The food is delicious. I haven’t had a good meal since El Paso. We fill our bellies and our food containers and then turn south and then east over the Amistad national recreation area bridge. It is the damned up a Pacos River where it meets the Rio Grande. We arrive in Del Rio after 10 hours on the bikes. I am feeling tired but not exhausted like yesterday. I get a room at the local motel 6 and find a pasta buffet within walking distance. I stuff myself until my belly looks pregnant. I am so grateful to meet my new friend Per and share stories as we rode together. I hope you had a chance to meet A new friend today. Happy Saint Patty’s Day to everyone. And Remember that Irish saying “don’t ruin a good story with the truth” ? Cheers, Freebird
March 16
March 16, 2017. Sanderson Texas to Langtry Texas 60 miles and 1276 miles from the Pacific. Camp happy was set up between a busy highway in a train tracks last night. Not very peaceful but I slept pretty good anyways. I am on my bike as the sunrises trying to beat the strong winds predicted for today. The plan works well in the morning, but the afternoon not so much. I had a pity party for myself most the afternoon trying to finish the last 15 miles uphill against the strong headwind on a choppy road. So this is west Texas. I rode with Jerry again today and he is my inspiration. At seventy one years old he finished the day ahead of me. The headwind from hell are predicted again tomorrow and the next day. So either I need to except it and move on or continue my pity party. Tonight I’m still in the feeling sorry for myself and can’t seem to find the word grateful in my head. I used every last ounce of energy to get here. And here is just a wide spot in the road in the middle of nowhere. Peaire from Norway is also staying here tonight. He is also in the 70s and started from San Diego. More inspiration for me. I hope you find someone to draw inspiration from today as well.
Cheers,
Freebird
March 15, 2017
March 15, 2017. Marathon Texas to Sanderson Texas 55 windy miles. 1216 miles from the Pacific. I crawl out of camp happy and it’s still dark. The moon lights up the desert like a city streetlight. The stars are unbelievably bright. It’s like I can reach up and touch them. A coyote howls in the distance hills and a local rooster signifies that dawn will arrive soon. I pack up the tent and sleeping bag and chow down some cold pizza left over from last night. My hunger is unrelentless. I ride into town and stuff my food bag for the long ride to Sanderson. There are no food or water stops on the way. These long distances between towns is something I’m beginning to get used to. I can carry a maximum of 4 liters of water. Water is a precious commodity in West Texas. As I leave town the sun pops over the horizon. It’s still in the low 30s and the temperature is expected to rise to 95° today. I have put on all my cold-weather gear to start this day. Within the first 10 miles I take it all off and slather myself with sunscreen. The sun is intense and brings the temperature from near freezing to 80 degrees in less than two hours. Not many people or cars out here today. Just me and horse and some roadrunners. I sing them the old cartoon song “road runner, the coyotes after You. Road Runner, if it catches you through”. They don’t seem to be amused. Entertainment is cheap out here. And I have become easily amused. I spot a group of wild boar just off the highway. They are huge and look dangerous. Once they see me they quickly run into the desert and disappear into a cloud dust. Horse goes in to Gallup mode as we climb Lemons Gap. It’s the only real climb of the day. A strong headwind greets us on the other side of the mountain. I catch up to another rider named Jerry snd we trade off pulling for each other. He is in his 70s and has legs of steel. We arrive in town, have lunch (number two for me) and then find a campsite at the local RV Park. A cold wind settles in the valley as I smile and crawl into camp happy. Life on the road was good today. I am grateful to have had someone to ride with most of the day. I hope you are feeling grateful for something or someone today. Cheers, Freebird
