April 3

From Kerrville to Blanco
63.2 (probably a mile or so longer, my calculator is a bit off, I think)
Roadkill:  a rabbit and a dog  (sad to see on Easter weekend)

When I check Google maps for a route between these two cities it didn't look very inviting.  Wow, what a surprise.  The route was all back roads with very little traffic.  I have to say it was probably the best ride so far from my point of view.  Very fun and one of the reasons why I have come to love doing this.  I'll  try to create a map for this section, but to summarize we went from Kerrville along the Gaudalupe River to Comfort then Waring to Kendalia and on the old Blanco road into Blanco.  I'm told that Lance Armstrong lives about 40 minutes from here in the Austin area and sometimes rides near here.  I can see why.  These farm and range roads have little traffic and some great rollers for training. 

I've been looking for those Long horn cattle, but have only seen one at the Wildlife rehabilitation center today.

Another mystery.  Moss or something on the trees and powerlines.  Any ideas!

April 2

Much needed rest day to relax.  Perfect day since a rain storm went through today and we didn't have to ride in it and tomorrow is going to be great weather and we ride. What luck!

I didn't plan this, but when someone mentioned we were close to San Antonio I realized I couldn't pass up seeing a relative who lives in the area.  Ione is my Dad's cousin and Donna is her daughter.  Haven't seen either of them since I was little, but I've been communicating with Ione about some family lore that I had been researching over the past 3-4 years.  It was fun to be able to meet both of them.  (They have great water...I know that is an unusual thing to make note of, but not all the motels/cities that we stay at have such great tasting water...I drank a bunch and even took some with me).  Best hospitality that I can think of.  :)

April 1 - Half-way

From Vanderpool TX to Kerrville
50.0 miles.

Started with gray skies wind and misting that threatened to become rain.  Ride was through a picturesque valley to Medina on Ranch Road 355.  
Take a look at some of the other participants blogs.  They have some good pictures.  Kathy Kirby in particular always finds the unusual to photograph. 

Much needed rest day in Kerrville tomorrow.

March 31

From Campwood to Fire Fox Cabins outside Vanderpool, TX
47.8 mi

Today was our first day of riding in Texas Hill Country.  Pine trees that are pretty tall for Texas, but still a bit short for NW standards.  No identifiable roadkill. Most the ride was on a Ranch Road 355.  The chip seal is covered with a thin layer of asphalt, so it is very ride-able.  Last 2.5 miles on Texas State Highway 55 was the usual infamous Texas chip seal...not meant for riding by sane bicyclists.  Does Lance Armstrong really train on this stuff?

He certainly could train on the Ranch road 355 route.  I just kept the mantra "I rode the Gorge ride, so I can do this. " Thank you Dana.  No kidding, I kept my eyes on the road and didn't look at the spectacular view that everyone will rave about later.
Past lots of low level flash flood gullies that they build to contain short lived flash floods rather than bridges.


Cute cabins with 3 of us in each.   My roommates are Katie and Mary.  Have I mentioned that we rotate roommates each night, so we all get acquainted.  No cell phone coverage or Internet here.

March 30

Bracketville TX to Camp Wood, TX
47.5 miles
Roadkill: deer

Started out on Hwy 334 Ranch Road expecting to be inundated by traffic on this chipseal road with no shoulder.  The chipseal wasn't bad...everything is relative to the worst, bumpiest surface of yesterday's ride.  There was no traffic, except our SAG car that met us at 15 and 29 miles.  Passed entrances to one ranch after another, most with ornately decorated arches over the gated entrance.  Our SAG driver reported seeing Long-horn cattle, but the rest of us missed seeing them.  Rode with Sue, tonight's roommate for the first half.  She's fast so I had to keep up and she did a bit of coaching about gear changing and cadence so I could.  I'm learning a lot...it is just putting it all into practice that is the challenge.


Interesting birds along the way, but no bird experts in this group...every bird interested in the roadkill become a "Turkey Vulture".  Got a picture today...okay Liana can you identify it?  or maybe someone else.  Comments are always appreciated.  I think I've fixed this blog so you don't have to login to comment.

Lots of goats along the way today, some sheep and cattle. Lost Sue when she stopped to  try to communicate with a Black Angus...

March 29

From Del Rio, TX to Ft. Clark Springs State Park
41.8 miles
9 days out of 20 in Texas
Roadkill: pair of jeans sitting there like some guy just stepped out of them

Texas Chip seal!!!!

You would think that this short mileage was a gift after our long day yesterday.  We are learning that mileage doesn't necessarily determine the difficulty of the ride.   The traffic that we didn't have over the weekend returned today with a vengeance.   Lots of semis made this a noisy ride.  Goods being transported across the southern USA.  Saw two 100 car+ trains with double trailers piled on most the cars.

Shoulder was wide most of the way, but the chip seal was particularly brain rattling most of the ride.  It was a slight uphill all the way, also. 

Riding on US Business 90 through Del Rio, past Laughlin Air Force Base and then past massive ranch entrances that go somewhere, but there is little evidence from the road beyond the gate with names like IO Ranch.  I took pictures of the base entrance and thought of Martin (my brother-in-law) being stationed here in the '80s.

Fort Clark Springs reminded me of the Vancouver Barracks as I came in.  They have converted the enlisted soldier barracks into multiple rooms for a motel.  Its been a while since it was remodeled, but it is a step above last nights rooms.

March 28

Sanderson TX to Del Rio, Tx
108.8 mi
avg: 12.8

Everyone did this one...which says a lot about the difficulty.  Lots of rollers through the west Texas desert. Light wind sometimes at our back helped us along.  Worried about the Pecos River Bridge crossing the first 75 miles, but was happy to see that the bridge was being worked on  and had one way traffic.  A kind border patrol officer was in line when we were ready to cross and let us go ahead of him, making the crossing with no traffic pressure.  I was able to ride right down the middle of the bridge and didn't have to look down...others I went across with loved the view and took pictures as they went.  I'm cursed with a fear that prevents me from enjoying such vistas.  Once that was over the rest of the ride was a pleasure.

Lakeview Hotel was a welcome sight, even though it certainly is another one of the least maintained places we seem to be frequenting on this trip.  A toilet plunger, contantly running toilet and a mirror in the shower are the highlights..