March 31: Sanderson to Del Rio, TX
April 1: Del Rio to Fort Clark Springs, TX
I confess to still being quite tired after yesterday’s long ride, but I will try to summarize the past two days.
Knowing that the full route on Easter was 110 miles, we were allowed to leave at 7 a.m., before sunrise. We must have been quite a parade of headlights on some bikes and many flashing red rear lights. The sunrise was beautiful and I sang a quiet Alleluia.
Lucky for us, clouds soon covered up the sun and we were able to ride close to 40 miles with overcast skies. (I averaged 13.3 for the first 20 miles, down to 12.9 at 40 miles.). Needless to say, I wasn’t stopping much for photos, but did notice the sign on this building at Cedar Station.
At mile 46, we entered Val Verde County. The suggestion of valley meant hills to me, some as long as 2 miles.
The lunch stop was at Langtry, location of the Judge Roy Bean Visitor Center. I opted not to take the detour to check it out as it was a mile downhill, then another back up – we were told it was for sale, so maybe not even open. At 61 miles, my average was 12.1.
At mile 78, we crossed the Pecos River – it was nice to see a river with water in it, though the levels were obviously down.
Most of the day, we saw Border Patrol vehicles, either on US 90 where we were riding, or on a dirt road parallel. They are constantly on the lookout for footprints of illegals.
Just before the 100 mile mark, we realized that a storm was brewing. Carol told us to ride hard, take advantage of some tailwind, and beat the storm. We had to cross the Amistad Reservoir Bridge, which had no shoulder!
The final 2 miles, we had a stiff headwind and struggled to pedal to the Lakeview Inn. Only had a few drops on us before pulling into the lobby. Three others behind us had to be sagged in when thunder and lightning were over their heads.
Linda had arranged a catered barbecue dinner, which was delicious, and I collapsed.
110 miles, average 11.9 mph, less than 12 hours total time.
This morning, we did not rush to get started as our mileage was only 42 into Fort Clark Springs. Enjoyed the sunrise as we headed to breakfast, cooked to order for us.
While our hotel had a Del Rio address, it was actually a 10 mile ride into town this morning.
It seemed almost strange to be in an urban environment, with a WalMart and lots of other shops.
Just east of town is Laughlin Air Force Base.
At mile 25, we entered Kinney County, just as the headwind picked up, and the worst chip seal we have experienced so far. The last 17 miles were torturous.
We are staying in Brackettville, at the Fort Clark Springs Motel. This is a decommissioned Army base, with some new housing. They do have a wonderful spring-fed pool, where I was able to cool off before dinner.
Our dinner was in a nicely shaded courtyard, with yummy teriyaki and cucumber strawberry salad.
For the past 8 days, we have been leap frogging along the routes with cyclists from Bubba’s Pampered Peddlers, another tour group with lots of support, though they mostly camp. They invited us to an ice cream social at their campsite. In the small world of cycling, I met Larry Varney, who is a Hilly Hundred HAM Operator. Also Ross Glasgow, who is on the organizing committee of the Eastern Tandem Rally – I somehow recognized him from the Saratoga Springs Rally we did in 2010.
My roommate last night was Leilani Sundt from Sequim, WA. She is a flight attendant for Alaska Airlines, married to a ferry boat captain. She has one son who is finishing college at UW.
Tonight my roommate is Judi Rozelle from Missouri. She is a retired Army nurse, who also enjoys fibre related hobbies.
Total today 43 miles; average 9.3 mph.. Did I mention we had headwind and nasty chip seal?!
