San Angelo TX 16 April 2014
Very sad to see Kate go from Austin, but now back on the (new, Brooks, stony hard with 500 miles break-in distance) saddle and 150 miles run in 2 days - a perfect day yesterday, but wind back up today. Country has shifted from gentle hills and ranches, to intense agriculture (mostly cotton, some wheat) and I saw first nodding donkey this afternoon as I get towards oil country.
And....... passed through unremarkable town of Eden, not just the self-claimed centre of Texas but also my halfway point. Now 40miled astern so downhill from here!
Wednesday, 16 April 2014
Monday, 14 April 2014
Austin Update
Austin, Texas 11-14 April 2014
After a very hard series of rides, with the wind continuing to blow from west of north or south (ie. basically against me) I got to Austin a day ahead of schedule, and used the day to go on a further 80 miles to Fredericksburg (just to get more mileage money in the bank..) About 1200 miles done, 1400 to go. Hmmm.
Kate flew out to Austin on Friday and we had a great time:
The nightmare bridge into Texas - note width and height of shoulder....
Yah!
Typical grassland
Only here
Cheery!
'Austin, Texas or Boston, Massachusetts?' (only remotely funny for puerile people like me who think 'Road trip' is a great movie.......... this is is the main tower of UT, Austin, Texas!
At the Alamo (great - the Shrine of Texas). Really very moving and one begins to see why Texas is as it is.
So, tomorrow, back into gear and on to West Texas. Freezing tonight!
After a very hard series of rides, with the wind continuing to blow from west of north or south (ie. basically against me) I got to Austin a day ahead of schedule, and used the day to go on a further 80 miles to Fredericksburg (just to get more mileage money in the bank..) About 1200 miles done, 1400 to go. Hmmm.
Kate flew out to Austin on Friday and we had a great time:
Yah!
Typical grassland
Cheery!
'Austin, Texas or Boston, Massachusetts?' (only remotely funny for puerile people like me who think 'Road trip' is a great movie.......... this is is the main tower of UT, Austin, Texas!
So, tomorrow, back into gear and on to West Texas. Freezing tonight!
Tuesday, 8 April 2014
8 April 2014 - Brenham. about 90 miles NW of Houston
Cracked nearly 1100 miles, but the 430 I have done in 5 days have taken their toll, with v.sore shins...... Fierce headwind today (over 20 knots and gusting 30, with dinghy sailing definitely cancelled!) made it just that bit harder. A couple of easier days as I cruise towards Austin will be good news, and it should get much warmer (fleece definitely on until about 1100).
Not much to add, except to thank Fred and Leanne for taking me out to dinner last night; I was talking to Fred at that social entrepot, the gas station, and five minutes later he screeched to a halt and we arrange dinner for that evening. Good fun!
Texas is great so far: lovely country, flowers out, the first hills, and with a palpable sense of identity. Very interesting for a Brit how there are almost no black people anymore, but now many more Mexicans; it is always tempting to ask how exactly this change of mix 'works' but I rather think the question would be viewed as bad form ('liberal').
Still no photos to show, as the Super 8 Motel lobby computer is 'non-equipped' for memory cards. Will need to transfer them to flash drive ('will this work?' Ed.) And thanks for your latest comments!
Cracked nearly 1100 miles, but the 430 I have done in 5 days have taken their toll, with v.sore shins...... Fierce headwind today (over 20 knots and gusting 30, with dinghy sailing definitely cancelled!) made it just that bit harder. A couple of easier days as I cruise towards Austin will be good news, and it should get much warmer (fleece definitely on until about 1100).
Not much to add, except to thank Fred and Leanne for taking me out to dinner last night; I was talking to Fred at that social entrepot, the gas station, and five minutes later he screeched to a halt and we arrange dinner for that evening. Good fun!
Texas is great so far: lovely country, flowers out, the first hills, and with a palpable sense of identity. Very interesting for a Brit how there are almost no black people anymore, but now many more Mexicans; it is always tempting to ask how exactly this change of mix 'works' but I rather think the question would be viewed as bad form ('liberal').
Still no photos to show, as the Super 8 Motel lobby computer is 'non-equipped' for memory cards. Will need to transfer them to flash drive ('will this work?' Ed.) And thanks for your latest comments!
Sunday, 6 April 2014
Sunday 6 April 2014 - Beaumont, Texas - TEXAS!!!!!
Crossed the state line this afternoon, which feels really exciting, not because I don't like Louisiana but because Texas seems mid-western and big and connected to New Mexico and much further, well, west...... I would have photos to support this post, but 'the machine' in the Day's Inn lobby does not support memory cards. Prose only.....
I have had two long, good days, with a gentle tailwind (hurrah!) which has let me do 175 miles. The roads have been long, agricultural (including rice, which surprised me until I remembered Uncle Ben's), and a bit forlorn. But the state law that you have to leave at least 4 feet clearance of a bicycle has been reassuring, although I reckon I am the first white/non-destitute person most will ever have seen on one ('did you see that guy, Elma, on a bike - I don't think he's from around here'). The best thing was removing the mudguard, cutting out the front third, and refitting it. Result: no rubbing, which means no listening out for rubbing, and end of frequent stops to try to sort out rubbing. Now, just gentle whirring of wheels. Knees ache a bit, bum sore but not impossibly so, and two days of cloud (and cool - maybe 60F) keeping the suncream in the bag.
A chance encounter with the Sheriff of Iberville Parish (really!) also procured the key info that in Louisiana bicycles are allowed on Interstates. This was useful, because it meant I could use I-10 to cross a. Atchafalaya Basin (35 miles of bayou and swamp) saving about 30 miles of detour; b. I could cross the Sabine River into Texas (on a hard shoulder of only 2 feet - tad dodgy) and c. cross the river into Beaumont (two lanes, very busy, and no shoulder at all - v. dodgy, and lots of horn blowing, probably less in support than derision and outrage ('did you see that idiot (don't know the US slang for tosser) on a bike - what the hell does he think he's doing?'). Still alive, don't know whether Interstate use is legal in Texas, but don't need to use them again anyway, at least until New Mexico. Generally, they give a brilliant ride with a hard shoulder wider than Piccadilly.
So I have become a great fan of Walmart (my US equivalent of my low-level love affair with Morrisons) ('use the phone? Go right ahead, sir!'), and all gas stations, which invariably seem to have decent restrooms, perked coffee, and decent water, and even the occasional doughnut. Cheese is the big dud: I had forgotten it comes in all shapes and colours, but still ends up tasting like flavoured lard. Grits remain..... horrible.
Next few days across Texas on the B roads, heading for Austin on Friday, when Kate joins me for the weekend. Now that sounds pretty decent! And tomorrow I might just break the first 1000 miles, with 2/3 still to come. And thanks for all the comments - shows someone occasionally reads this!
Crossed the state line this afternoon, which feels really exciting, not because I don't like Louisiana but because Texas seems mid-western and big and connected to New Mexico and much further, well, west...... I would have photos to support this post, but 'the machine' in the Day's Inn lobby does not support memory cards. Prose only.....
I have had two long, good days, with a gentle tailwind (hurrah!) which has let me do 175 miles. The roads have been long, agricultural (including rice, which surprised me until I remembered Uncle Ben's), and a bit forlorn. But the state law that you have to leave at least 4 feet clearance of a bicycle has been reassuring, although I reckon I am the first white/non-destitute person most will ever have seen on one ('did you see that guy, Elma, on a bike - I don't think he's from around here'). The best thing was removing the mudguard, cutting out the front third, and refitting it. Result: no rubbing, which means no listening out for rubbing, and end of frequent stops to try to sort out rubbing. Now, just gentle whirring of wheels. Knees ache a bit, bum sore but not impossibly so, and two days of cloud (and cool - maybe 60F) keeping the suncream in the bag.
A chance encounter with the Sheriff of Iberville Parish (really!) also procured the key info that in Louisiana bicycles are allowed on Interstates. This was useful, because it meant I could use I-10 to cross a. Atchafalaya Basin (35 miles of bayou and swamp) saving about 30 miles of detour; b. I could cross the Sabine River into Texas (on a hard shoulder of only 2 feet - tad dodgy) and c. cross the river into Beaumont (two lanes, very busy, and no shoulder at all - v. dodgy, and lots of horn blowing, probably less in support than derision and outrage ('did you see that idiot (don't know the US slang for tosser) on a bike - what the hell does he think he's doing?'). Still alive, don't know whether Interstate use is legal in Texas, but don't need to use them again anyway, at least until New Mexico. Generally, they give a brilliant ride with a hard shoulder wider than Piccadilly.
So I have become a great fan of Walmart (my US equivalent of my low-level love affair with Morrisons) ('use the phone? Go right ahead, sir!'), and all gas stations, which invariably seem to have decent restrooms, perked coffee, and decent water, and even the occasional doughnut. Cheese is the big dud: I had forgotten it comes in all shapes and colours, but still ends up tasting like flavoured lard. Grits remain..... horrible.
Next few days across Texas on the B roads, heading for Austin on Friday, when Kate joins me for the weekend. Now that sounds pretty decent! And tomorrow I might just break the first 1000 miles, with 2/3 still to come. And thanks for all the comments - shows someone occasionally reads this!
Friday, 4 April 2014
Friday 4 April
New Orleans to Plaquemine, around 85 miles. Thought I would fawdle up the Mississippi and see some antebellum houses. Despite the recommended green route it turned out to be 60 miles of levee on one side and huge (huge) industrial plants on the other. Put head down and pedalled....
Front mudguard driving me bonkers with very slight rubbing on tyre due to restricted clearance under forks. I would just take it off, but another torrential downpour this morning stayed its execution. Po' little cyclist in the Deep South. Tomorrow just thwack on west down 190 towards Eunice (where?).
New Orleans to Plaquemine, around 85 miles. Thought I would fawdle up the Mississippi and see some antebellum houses. Despite the recommended green route it turned out to be 60 miles of levee on one side and huge (huge) industrial plants on the other. Put head down and pedalled....
Front mudguard driving me bonkers with very slight rubbing on tyre due to restricted clearance under forks. I would just take it off, but another torrential downpour this morning stayed its execution. Po' little cyclist in the Deep South. Tomorrow just thwack on west down 190 towards Eunice (where?).
Thursday, 3 April 2014
Thursday 3 April 2014 - New Orleans
A few days now since I have posted anything, more due to lack of wi-fi than idleness.
Florida is over, with a touch of 'at last', not so much because I don't like it (it got steadily better, and west of Pensacola and the Gulf Shore Coast was great) but because it was over 6 days riding to cross the stateline, and it may be that it is the state I spend longest in!
Some photos to pave the way:
But having a problem now uploading these, so will put in new post as soon as I can. The top picture is Marvyn, who had a construction job in New Orleans but couldn't afford the 30 dollar bus fare from Biloxi, so hopped on his bike for the 80 mile ride. N Tebbit, eat out your heart. The bottom is me at the latest state border, on some bayou.
A few days now since I have posted anything, more due to lack of wi-fi than idleness.
Florida is over, with a touch of 'at last', not so much because I don't like it (it got steadily better, and west of Pensacola and the Gulf Shore Coast was great) but because it was over 6 days riding to cross the stateline, and it may be that it is the state I spend longest in!
Some photos to pave the way:
But having a problem now uploading these, so will put in new post as soon as I can. The top picture is Marvyn, who had a construction job in New Orleans but couldn't afford the 30 dollar bus fare from Biloxi, so hopped on his bike for the 80 mile ride. N Tebbit, eat out your heart. The bottom is me at the latest state border, on some bayou.
Friday, 28 March 2014
Friday 28 March 2014
After camping for two nights, treating myself to motel (hah!) with attendant PC for new post....
A gentle headwind on Day 2 let me press on a little across Florida, with subtle shift from forest in east to perfectly manicured stockades for horse breeding, and then gently back to forest and swamp as I rounded NW and onto the Florida panhandle. First puncture - a large staple in the rear wheel. Not a good night's first camp - the first RV park said 'no' to tents, despite being almost empty (something to do with insurance - the traditional excuse, although I was too bored to enquire exactly how man and tent could pose any risk at all...) so another 10 miles to another RV park, who rather reluctantly accepted me ('tenters often cause problems') and then everyone except me got completely pissed and shouted all - all - night. If you can't beat them etc, but I was too pooped. But my tiny tent was good! 70 miles.
Day 3 was a bit of a stormer, as the wind swung behind me and I cracked 47 miles before lunch, and then decided to keep going the next 40 - there was no in-between as the forest closed in with nothing in the middle. So 87 miles, and I had stocked up on beans 'n rice and pineapple chunks and evap - mmmm! Nice little camp site in the middle of the myriad of river systems in NW Florida. It won't be the last time I will wonder how the first explorers hacked their way through the endless woods and swamp. Easy for me on super smooth highways.
Day 4 (today) dawned overcast with risk of rain.... Made first friend when I stopped for water refill at gas station, and was invited home for coffee. Jim McCormick was a self-styled philosopher so we talked about theories of Dream Games and exploration of other consciousness(es), while I had coffee and he had a body-sustaining smoothie of flax, sunflower seeds and orange juice. Here we are.
Then it began to drizzle, and then Tropical Storm Get-Roop struck, with 5 inches of rain in 4 hours, a wind off the sea (for I was on the coast by now, with zilch protection) of 30 knots gusting 40. Two kind pick-up drivers screeched to halts and offered lifts, so torrential was the rain, but I answered 'no' when quite clearly the correct response of any sane person was 'yes'. Something obsessive going on. So it was 50 miles this afternoon in this wonderful Florida weather..... for a total of 65. On track...
After camping for two nights, treating myself to motel (hah!) with attendant PC for new post....
A gentle headwind on Day 2 let me press on a little across Florida, with subtle shift from forest in east to perfectly manicured stockades for horse breeding, and then gently back to forest and swamp as I rounded NW and onto the Florida panhandle. First puncture - a large staple in the rear wheel. Not a good night's first camp - the first RV park said 'no' to tents, despite being almost empty (something to do with insurance - the traditional excuse, although I was too bored to enquire exactly how man and tent could pose any risk at all...) so another 10 miles to another RV park, who rather reluctantly accepted me ('tenters often cause problems') and then everyone except me got completely pissed and shouted all - all - night. If you can't beat them etc, but I was too pooped. But my tiny tent was good! 70 miles.
The view of the great road through the forest
Day 4 (today) dawned overcast with risk of rain.... Made first friend when I stopped for water refill at gas station, and was invited home for coffee. Jim McCormick was a self-styled philosopher so we talked about theories of Dream Games and exploration of other consciousness(es), while I had coffee and he had a body-sustaining smoothie of flax, sunflower seeds and orange juice. Here we are.
Then it began to drizzle, and then Tropical Storm Get-Roop struck, with 5 inches of rain in 4 hours, a wind off the sea (for I was on the coast by now, with zilch protection) of 30 knots gusting 40. Two kind pick-up drivers screeched to halts and offered lifts, so torrential was the rain, but I answered 'no' when quite clearly the correct response of any sane person was 'yes'. Something obsessive going on. So it was 50 miles this afternoon in this wonderful Florida weather..... for a total of 65. On track...
Welcome to the Gulf of Mexico! NB angle of palm branches
You get the idea
Slowed to about 6 mph here - but not to admire the view
Jolly japes selfie
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