What the west has taught me: 2013-10-20

I crossed the border from Louisiana into Texas just over a week ago. Directly at the border, the roads improved and the highway shoulders were wider. Everything is bigger in Texas.

The first place I stayed was in Beaumont.

A decent sized city/port town with a lot of oil companies.

It was tough getting there. I was getting frustrated getting 2-3 flat tires a day with road debris punching through. Also, the only bridge into Beaumont was a major interstate with construction. 4 lanes going one way with no shoulder. Luckily my host Jeff was able to come pick me up and safely drive me across.

Jeff and his wife Camika hosted me that night. He has been a warmshowers host for just about 2 weeks and already had about 3 people stay with him before me. Took me out for some awesome tex/mex food. Really great people. They made me feel right at home after a long day of riding. Thanks Jeff

The following day I rode towards The North Houston area (tried to stay away from traffic). I had 2 flats that day. While I was changing a flat, Kenny and his daughter Faith stopped on the side of the

highway to see if I needed help. After the usual chat, he took off his necklace and gave it to me. A Christian verse was printed on it. But he said he would be praying for me. Not a bad feeling after multiple flat tires. I was feeling good about the Texas people.

I had my first front tire flat later on that same day. It's not the removing and patching that's such a pain, it's taking 20 minutes to pump it up with a pump the size of a cigar.

I rolled over to a car restoration shop and met Jonny who said I could use his compressor.

Jonny had retired, but not really. Loves what he does so he keeps doing it. Talked with him for a while.

I asked him is he had a bathroom and he showed me this bucket.

Hilarious.

I stayed with another host that night. Nathan and his dad Robin (and family). Nathan did a long ride to the Southern tip of Florida and back. Had some great stories and advice for the road. After a great dinner I was sound asleep.

Everyone had to scramble after dinner so I couldn't snap a picture. But Nathan sent me this one! Thanks again.

The next day I set off to do the longest distance yet. Making it to Austin by Friday for some rest was so close. I did over 105 miles that day. Killed it.

I stayed with the coolest woman that night. Carol was a big do it yourself kind of person. Built her house pretty much by

herself and runs a small bed and breakfast. Lived out on this incredible ranch all by herself.

She must have hosted over 100 cyclist the past few years. She kept a notebook that had pictures of all the people. She let me sleep in the 'bunkhouse' on top of her barn

It even had an old kitchen.

Entrance of her ranch

She had a couple of 1929 model t fordS in perfect condition

Old outhouse on the ranch

Dinner outside

Moon lit evening.

Carol was just a good down to earth woman. I decided to delay it to Austin by Sat and help her fix some holes in her roof. For being 83? She walked 20ft up the ladder to hand me tools. I could have stayed another night there. Loved it. Thanks Carol!

Broke my ride up into 2 days to Austin. Tried to ride into Bastrop state park for the night. My route took me down 15 miles of dirt/gravel farm roads towards the end. Mountain biking anyone?

Yeah

This park had a crazy forest fire in 2011. Most of the surrounded wooded areas were still charred.

But it was safe enough to have a camp fire.

I wasn't going to carry the wood for a mile. Didn't lose 1 piece. Riverside Outfitters now delivers wood on bikes. www.riversideoutfitters.net.

This guy gave me some water when I ran out. There is really no where to get food and water between the small towns. His bar was entirely constructed out of scrap

More flats. Decided to change out my rear tire until Austin. It was getting close to worn out.

Made it!

Stayed with Margaret and her roommates for the weekend. Margaret is from Lynchburg and friends with Alex and Nikki Shaw. Need I say more?

Had a great time in Austin. Everyone always raves bout it. It was definitely a really fun city with lots to see and do. I didn't touch the top of it. Still no Richmond Va!

Margaret showed me around the different places. Bike lanes everywhere in AUSTIN BTW.

Saw some live music at The White Horse

Handmade boots. I think $400 was the cheapest.

Everyone was great

Margaret and her roommates Emily and Sophie

I purchased the adventure cycling maps to start the southern tier route from Austin-San Diego. Kinko's was going to charge me an arm to print them. Her roommate Claire is an Architecture grad student. She printed them out for me at school. A Huge help.

Danny was Margaret's roommate, Sophie's boyfriend. He works at whole foods in Austin: their world headquarters. The place is huge. He took me out to lunch on Monday. Whole foods Austin was like a mall.

Anyways- Austin was a great place to rest up in. I can't thank Margaret and her roommates and friends for helping me out and letting me crash on the couch. Thank you so much.

Now getting into the hill country..

Yeah it's Forreal

Look at that triple decker hill

Climbing just sucks when your bike is loaded down. You just have to remind yourself that it's just a mental as is is physical. But always difficult?

New tires! You could put a thumb tack through these puppies and not puncture the tube

Maps! No more dirt roads.

Stayed with Janice and Fred in Kerrville last night. I think this was the first time I had ever tried dear meat over dinner. Janice shot it and cleaned it herself.

Fred (originally a mechanical engineer) is working on a bike design that you can use your arms to power while peddling. Great people to stay with if you are ever in Kerrville. Thanks again.

2000 miles as of today . OH yEAH