Today started out with more hills. It was a chilly start again, but this time I was better prepared with a warmer jacket and leg warmers. I learned my lesson yesterday. Our first SAG stop was at High’s Café and Janet’s bike dream finally came true – we were able to get a good cup of latte and cappuccino. We also split a magic cookie bar. It was heaven in the middle of nowhere. And that was the end of heaven. The hills continued and we had lunch at Sister Creek Vineyard. It was a SAG lunch of sub sandwiches (not provided by the winery). A few riders did stop in and purchased a bottle of wine. I wanted to ship some home to my friends that are watching my house (Owen & Randy), but they couldn’t ship out of the state of Texas. Sorry guys. After lunch was the start of my worst nightmare. The hills became even more steep and the roads in worse condition, and a stronger headwind. The roads rattled every one of my bones. I told my riding partners that if I grew up here I would never have taken up cycling, and I didn’t care if I ever biked in the Texas hill country again. Too bad for me, we have several more days in hill country. If you read Janet's Facebook post, you will see that she loves these days. She amazes me. At the end of the ride day there were a few family reunions and that was super special. It seems like this part of Texas is a good meet up point for families (there were a couple last night too).
Tomorrow's blog may be a day late because I get to see my family!!!
Stats from the day:
Start city: Kerrville, TX
End city: Blanco, TX
Miles: 58.82
Total miles to date: 1533.78
Pedaling time: 5 hours, 11 minutes
Avg. speed: 11.4
Feet climbed: 2,753
Fatigue factor: 8 out of 10 (10 is the worst);
Wind: start: NNE3 mph; end ESE 7 mph
Road condition: 3 out of 5 (1 is the worst) with some at 2
Temperature extremes: 50 at ride start, 73 at ride finish
Before the hills started again. Janet, Semone and Queenie.
Janet and Semone at High's Café.
We stopped at a small town store. It really wasn't even open yet, but the owner let us use the restroom. And look at the sign we found facing towards the store. I asked the owner of there was a post office in town, but she didn't think so. This photo will be the daily post office shot.
This was my favorite little road so far. Relatively smooth, shaded, no hills and a pretty view.
Everything is bigger in Texas.
Queenie, Janet and Semone ahead of me, and that is where they stayed the rest of the day.
And now I don't see them anymore...
Where we are staying tonight.
Linda (Queenie) and her daughter Shannon.
Sue (with the yellow vest) and her visiting family.
