Today a slower ride through some beautiful country. Despite the title above, I don’t think I am in Hill Country yet. There were some gradual grades up and down as I crossed through the country. However, I expect it to get hillier further south. Some light headwinds and carrying my gear meant I was cycling pretty slow today.

Left just a bit before sunrise. Quite a few trucks out on the road. Signs indicated oil drilling vehicles and one or two places had slurry dumps. The shoulder was wide and the grades were gentle so I was making good time. After 5 miles I came on junction of 67 and 67 business. From here some small hills to climb up and over. Winds were already coming up from the south. After 22 miles I crossed the Brazos River and not much further to Glen Cove for a breakfast stop. Also a good chance to switch from fleece to just my jersey.

Some gentle climbs coming out of town and then some more steep climbs over Chalk Mountain. Some nice views and photo at left was taken from a rest area close to the top. Down the other side and I left US 67 behind. Texas 220 was nice and smooth with a 3 foot shoulder. Some gentle ups and downs but nothing too severe. Through the last of the hills and then down into Nico. I was ready for lunch and there were several different choices. I was pleased to hear that patrons thought there would be fewer hills on way to Hamilton than how I had just come. The wind also seemed a bit lighter so I was making better time. At 71 miles on outskirts of town a motel beaconed with sign “free high speed internet”. Nevertheless, I wanted to at least get to center of town. Perhaps a mile past the center I found a different motel with matching sign. I am in the area with two Mexican restaurants and the county jail. Across the street is a business for preparing deer meat and down the road one can buy a hog trap for $450. I could definitely feel that today was a tougher ride than yesterday.

72 miles cycled today.