Friday, March 22, 2024

Day 18 - Entering the Texas “Hill Country”

Departure: Del Rio, TX      Finish:  Camp Wood, TX       

Distance:    80.3 miles

Elevation gain:  2,087 feet (total descent: 1,625’)

Winds: 8 to 18 mph. Rough headwinds at the end of the day.

Weather:  Bright Sun. Departed at 56 degrees. Arrived with 82 degrees.

On bike duration:   5 hrs, 28 minutes. 

Average speed: 14.7 mph

Total Accumulated Miles:  1,371

Today’s ride was more difficult than the other 80 milers we have done. That was due to the lingering fatigue from yesterday’s “marathon” as well as a stiff headwind for the last 18 miles of the day. We departed Del Rio on U.S. 90 and experienced altering combinations of smooth and rough pavement, as we did yesterday. The rough miles made me wonder why they bothered to carve “rumble strips” at the edge of the road. The shoulder itself would have been enough to wake up any weary or wayward driver.


The most remarkable sighting today was the number of different ranches. We would pass by a ranch gate about every three miles. Some of the gates are elaborate and some are modest. I believe one of the entrances was almost as big as the little ranch behind it, But we clearly passed by some very expansive properties. Six of the gates had the same brand on them.
















Coming into Camp Wood we crossed over the Nueces River. I had to take a picture, because we haven’t seen many bodies of water for the past two weeks.


Tonight, we are in The Cowboy Motel. I’m in lucky #13. As you can see by the sign on the back of my room door, they take their hospitality very seriously - with a dose of Texas humor.








No comments:

Post a Comment

Day 39 - At Last! The Atlantic!

Departure:  Palatka, FL      Finish:  St. Augustine, FL   Distance:     34.4  miles Elevation gain:  659 feet  Winds: From the North at 3 to...