Day 24 - It was Good Friday, but could have been better.

Departure: Navasota, TX      Finish:  Cleveland, TX       

Distance:    76.4 miles

Elevation gain:  2,412 feet 

Winds: Southern at 15 to 18 mph.

Weather:  High clouds; scattered to broken.  56 to 75 degrees.

On bike duration:   5 hrs, 6 minutes. 

Average speed: 14.9 mph

Total Accumulated Miles:  1,816.8

The weather was beautiful again today. Great temperatures. There was a strong southern wind, but it was masked by the Sam Houston National Forest most of the way, so we didn’t suffer on south-bound stretches. There is plenty to be thankful for on this Good Friday. 

Nevertheless, it was somewhat stressful. I had three flat tires. One was in a muddy section of road under construction. Worse, however, was the road chosen for our route. We spent much of the day on a two lane, which the TX department of transportation calls “Farm To Market 1375”. That road became TX HWY 150. It was a very heavily travelled two-lane road with a shoulder that was only 12 inches wide! In that situation if you are a cyclist - let alone a group of 10 - you are very stressed by the roar of all the vehicles. All those screaming trucks, cars, motorcycles, and FedEx delivery vans are stressed by our existence as well. We had a number of people honk at us, yell at us, and one misbehaved youth stuck his Full Moon through the window at us. One motor home brushed past us without giving any distance at all. We really try to be unobtrusive, but it IS the route to the Atlantic. Not much I can do about it.

We passed by the northern part of Lake Conroe. It’s the largest body of water I have seen since we left San Diego. The Sam Houston National Forest is very large and very dense. I saw several trailheads that looked very inviting. Other than that, there wasn’t much to remark about today.

I can say a few words about Tom and Athena. They are riding a tandem bike across the U.S. They are from Chattanooga, Tennessee but they have lived all over the world. They have cycled in many countries. They worked for the State Department in a variety of places. They met years ago when Athena (a medical doctor) was in Nepal supporting a group that Tom was working for. They do an amazing job of working together on that bike. It was custom made for them, to fit both their sizes and preferences. They are always ready with a smile and an encouraging thought. Wonderful adventurers and great companions for this journey. They’ve been retired for four years.

Our meal this evening was our first taste of real Southern Cooking, at a restaurant called the Farm Hand Cafe. I had “Shrimp and Grits” and the table had a couple orders of “Boudin Egg Rolls” (pronounced Beau-Daa). It’s sausage and rice in a deep fried, rolled up something or other. We’re real close to Cajun Country.

This sign was hanging on the wall at the Farm Hand Cafe:

Tonight we’re at the Best Western in Cleveland. I get the feeling the BW brand is Dennis’ preferred host. It seems we bunk at a Best Western every time one is in our path.

I think we’re done with 98% of the hills. Halleluah! Tomorrow’s ride publishes only 800 feet of climbing.