50 miles today...many miles of climbing followed by some very necessary downhill rest periods. No more serious climbs for a few days I think. In Montell, TX for the night, tomorrow Brackettville, then Del Rio for the weekend. Rest and bike shop on the agenda for Del Rio.
Again, no cell service, but free wi-fi...
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Long days of riding
Two days in a row riding 60 miles, staying in a cabin in Vanderpool, TX. No cell phone reception, sorry mom can't call or text tonight.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Blanco State Park
Here are a couple of pictures from Blanco State Park in Blanco, TX. Quiet town...rode from Wimberley to Blanco today, it was difficult but still enjoyable. Wimberley was a cute town, I'll definitely have to visit it again after this trip is over. I don't have much time for sightseeing unfortunately. Long days at slow speeds; hopefully, I'll start getting some shorter days and faster speeds sooner than later. 8pm, bedtime...
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Week One Recap
So my first week is over, here are my riding details:
12/31/12 - 01/07/13
Total miles - 250.29
Total time - 1 day, 1 hour, 0 minutes, 39 seconds -- (25h:00m:39s)
Days on the bike - 6 out of 8
Average riding per day - 4:10:06
Average miles per day - 41.72
Average miles per hour - 9.95
Initial thought is that this is much more difficult than I was expecting, not so much the physical riding aspect as the daily routine of unloading, unpacking, packing, setting up camp, breaking down camp, knowing when and where to eat and sleep, remembering which bag has what in it when looking for clothes or gear. Seeing interesting things and deciding whether it is worth stopping to take a picture or read the sign is also a daily thing. A 3 hour ride quickly becomes a 5 - 6 hour ride after stopping for breaks and food. I know it could be worse, I'm not complaining. It's only been a week, so I've got plenty of time to work out the kinks. The riding is a story on its own.
Yesterday, 01/07/13, was my longest and toughest ride yet. I rode about 72 miles, and it took almost 7 hours. Yesterday was also my first 'Bike-Walk of Shame' of the trip. I had to walk up four hills, it just wasn't in me to crawl up them on the bike. I'm going to attribute this to still adjusting to everything and not really training as much as I should have. Hopefully, there aren't too many more walks of shame, but I'm sure there will be more. Most of these were in the hills of Buescher and Bastrop State Parks. If you haven't been, I recommend visiting them and if you have a bike take it, but don't drag 60 pounds of gear with you, leave it in the car or camp site. I felt like Meg Ryan in 'City of Angels' except the trees were dead and I was alive, I don't know if the trees were dead because of the draught last year or forest fires, regardless it was a nice ride, but tough.
I've ditched few items I haven't used like extra t-shirts and miscellaneous junk. Every blog I was reading warned about taking too much, and I of course, brought too much. Again, I'm still learning.
Some of the cute little towns I've been to are Magnolia, Navasota, Burton, La Grange, and Bastrop. They are all as you would see in a movie featuring small town America, friendly, quiet, and cute hole in the wall eateries. Right now, I'm in Austin, TX staying with a cousin for a couple nights so I can get some needed rest, see some sights, and visit with Princess Sophie. It's raining and is supposed to rain the next couple of days, that has been another wrench in the adventure. I think it's rained on me at least 5 of my 6 riding days...good thing for rain gear.
Overall, it's been tough, strenuous, beautiful, and fun all at the same time. Just what I was looking for...here's to another 51 weeks...and if there's anything you think I should write about let me know.
Photos at Bastrop State Park.
12/31/12 - 01/07/13
Total miles - 250.29
Total time - 1 day, 1 hour, 0 minutes, 39 seconds -- (25h:00m:39s)
Days on the bike - 6 out of 8
Average riding per day - 4:10:06
Average miles per day - 41.72
Average miles per hour - 9.95
Initial thought is that this is much more difficult than I was expecting, not so much the physical riding aspect as the daily routine of unloading, unpacking, packing, setting up camp, breaking down camp, knowing when and where to eat and sleep, remembering which bag has what in it when looking for clothes or gear. Seeing interesting things and deciding whether it is worth stopping to take a picture or read the sign is also a daily thing. A 3 hour ride quickly becomes a 5 - 6 hour ride after stopping for breaks and food. I know it could be worse, I'm not complaining. It's only been a week, so I've got plenty of time to work out the kinks. The riding is a story on its own.
Yesterday, 01/07/13, was my longest and toughest ride yet. I rode about 72 miles, and it took almost 7 hours. Yesterday was also my first 'Bike-Walk of Shame' of the trip. I had to walk up four hills, it just wasn't in me to crawl up them on the bike. I'm going to attribute this to still adjusting to everything and not really training as much as I should have. Hopefully, there aren't too many more walks of shame, but I'm sure there will be more. Most of these were in the hills of Buescher and Bastrop State Parks. If you haven't been, I recommend visiting them and if you have a bike take it, but don't drag 60 pounds of gear with you, leave it in the car or camp site. I felt like Meg Ryan in 'City of Angels' except the trees were dead and I was alive, I don't know if the trees were dead because of the draught last year or forest fires, regardless it was a nice ride, but tough.
I've ditched few items I haven't used like extra t-shirts and miscellaneous junk. Every blog I was reading warned about taking too much, and I of course, brought too much. Again, I'm still learning.
Some of the cute little towns I've been to are Magnolia, Navasota, Burton, La Grange, and Bastrop. They are all as you would see in a movie featuring small town America, friendly, quiet, and cute hole in the wall eateries. Right now, I'm in Austin, TX staying with a cousin for a couple nights so I can get some needed rest, see some sights, and visit with Princess Sophie. It's raining and is supposed to rain the next couple of days, that has been another wrench in the adventure. I think it's rained on me at least 5 of my 6 riding days...good thing for rain gear.
Overall, it's been tough, strenuous, beautiful, and fun all at the same time. Just what I was looking for...here's to another 51 weeks...and if there's anything you think I should write about let me know.
Photos at Bastrop State Park.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
First night camping
Set up the tent, unloaded the bike, showered, now in my cozy tent and sleeping bag. I wish it wasn't cloudy, I want the stars to be out, another night I'm sure. I can hear traffic, planes, and trains, my lullabies for the night.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Homeless Lunch
January 1, 2013 -- Today was day 2 of day ???. I rode to Magnolia, TX which totaled 30 miles for the day. My body is going to need a few more days--weeks--to adjust to hours and hours of riding and sitting on a bike. At least I didn't get rained on all day today like I did yesterday, and I had some quiet roads to myself for a while. Hopefully the weather cooperates for a while and I can gain a good rhythm and daily routine before I encounter any major obstacles.
The picture is obviously of me eating my lunch outside a gas station/convenience store. Turkey and cheese sandwich, Doritos, and some refreshing chocolate milk. Now to figure out dinner.
The picture is obviously of me eating my lunch outside a gas station/convenience store. Turkey and cheese sandwich, Doritos, and some refreshing chocolate milk. Now to figure out dinner.
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