Must be a tailwind!
Yesterday we rode 47 miles and were struggling with a crosswind much of the time. Tractors were out in the fields plowing creating big furls of dust that we often found ourselves riding through. Although the mileage was not long many of us arrived tired and ready to be off of our bicycles. The motel where we stayed was the only one in town and nothing to write home about. We were greeted by a new bicyclist's menace called goat heads, a nasty little grass seed with several sharp thorns protruding from it.....the sort that can work it's way through the toughest of tires and cause a flat. We carried our bicycles in and out. Our wonderful cook made us pad Thai for dinner so the day ended very well. There was also a store across the street that carried all kinds of unique specialty chile powders. I bought a few and the sales person gave me a bunch of samples to try as well. Very much looking forward to experimenting with them when I get home.
Today we rode 76 miles with a sweet 15 mph tailwind all day, except for one 2.5 mile stretch. We had a long climb in the middle of the ride and at one point I glanced down at my bike computer and noticed that I was riding 18 mph uphill! That's what a tailwind can do for you. There was a fair amount of flat and rolling terrain and although the ride was almost 30 miles longer than the one yesterday I was less tired at the end than the day before.
Tomorrow we ride 90 miles, climbing up to 6000 feet, and will be staying in a state park lodge in Fort Davis, TX. The following day is a rest day and I am sure we are all going to appreciate a day off.
Hard to believe we have already covered more than 1000 miles since San Diego!
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