Today’s ride started out in brisk, cool temperatures again. We all thought we were done with the cool weather clothes. It was twenty degrees cooler than the last time we started out two days ago. I also discovered within the first mile that I somehow forgot to load Day 33’s Garmin file. That meant I had to rely on a cue sheet (also Janet and Queenie). However, once again, I had a good day. There were a couple of climbing hills, but for the most part my momentum took me back up the hills. The wind wasn’t exactly our friend, but after riding against the wind back in Florida, I would rather have wind any day, then to have to climb steep hills/mountains. We biked through the Sam Houston National Forest and it was tree-lined on both sides of the road. On a warmer day, the shade would have been our friend. Our first stop was at Honey’s Coffee and Biscuits; the orange biscuits were outstanding!! Not many places offering good picture taking, but lunch at “The Hop” was a good place for a burger and fries. Janet and I split again. I want to thank Daniel for being at the right place and the right time twice today. He kept loose dogs from chasing after our bikes. It is so frightening to think you are going to be knocked over by a dog – or worse yet, bitten like Nick was earlier in the tour. Thanks again! Our overnight stay is at the Shepherd Sanctuary. Although hard to describe, one idea might be a flea market on steroids. Everything is eclectic and nothing matches anything else. My granddaughter Charlotte would have loved some of the play structures and Halloween-type mannequins and décor. Anne is putting on a real spread again tonight. So many pictures to choose from, so there are just a few. There is no losing weight on this ride with her phenomenal meals!
Stats from the day:
Start city: Richards, TX
End city: Shepherd, TX
Miles: 62.11
Total miles to date: 1807.69
Pedaling time: 4 hours, 42 minutes
Avg. speed: 13.3
Feet climbed: 1,988
Fatigue factor: 5 out of 10 (10 is the worst);
Wind: start: NNE 7 mph; end NE 9 mph
Road condition: 3 out of 5 (1 is the worst) some places were 4
Temperature extremes: 50 at ride start (feels like47), 70 at ride finish
Within Sam Houston National Forest
Also within the Sam Houston National Forest.
Spotted this road sign just before the very end of the ride.
A stream of bottles. Hmmm - what an idea for empty wine bottles.
This guy is in the bathroom of one of the cabins. We are in tents.
Photo complements of Semone.
