Departure: Camp Wood, TX Finish: Ingram, TX
Distance: 80.5 miles
Elevation gain: 5,056 feet
Winds: Not a factor. Calm at departure. 5 mph in the afternoon.
Weather: Bright Sun. Mild. Departed at 52 degrees. Arrived with 75 degrees.
On bike duration: 5 hrs, 52 minutes.
Average speed: 13.7 mph
Total Accumulated Miles: 1,451.5
Today’s route was the same length as yesterday’s, but included more than 2X the climbing. There were four major climbs (multiple miles each) with sustained gradients of 12%. After the last climb we had 20 miles of rolling Texas hills.
The hills around Camp Wood are a major attraction for motorcycles. There are multiple routes that Harley owners come from many miles to ride. It was amazing, and a little intimidating. Everyone in the group agreed we encountered well over 1,000 on about a 50 mile stretch of road. As I was trying to put one pedal in front of the other up a steep, winding incline a group of 8 or 12 Harleys would zoom past. Most of them waved and yelled things like “Go, man go!” I was reminded of the children’s book “Go Dog, Go!” I wondered all day long where all these motorcycles could possibly be going. Maybe there was a party in a big tree.
Along the way, we passed through a town called Leakey. It seemed pleasant enough, and I don’t mean to offer disparagement, but it appears the last exciting thing in Leakey happened in 1975:
After we left the serious hills, we began to follow the path of the Guadalupe River. It is absolutely beautiful, particularly as it passes a town called Hunt, TX. Clearly, we are no longer in the desert of far west Texas.
I call myself a cyclist so people don't think I'm riding a motorcycle. But as you noticed, there does seem to be some kind of bond between those riding two wheels. I've never had a motorcycle intentionally be a jerk, whereas a very rare car will do something rude.
ReplyDeleteThat's a nice room. Looks like that bed could sleep 5 people!