Reached Fredericksburg today. The roads were fairly busy all of today, with two lanes all the way. Light headwinds throughout the day. Despite being in hill country, it wasn’t really much hillier than before, but my guess is the US highways have taken gentle grades. Left Burnet at sunrise and headed south on the road to Marble Falls. It seemed like there was more downhill than up and I made good time. Stopped briefly to raise my seat but otherwise through the main roads to Marble Falls. At 14 miles, crossed a bridge across the Colorado River. Not that Colorado River, but a bit larger nevertheless. Climbed up the hills on the other side and stopped for brief bite to eat.

I could tell it was more climbing as went on to Round Mountain. A bunch of the traffic turned off at 19 miles to Austin so it wasn’t as busy. Round Mountain has population 111 but had a big sign promoting their business center and truck stop. Good place for breakfast where I was asked for the first time if I wanted “sweet” tea or “unsweet” tea. Also choice of grits or hash browns. I’m in the south now. Last 12 miles from Round Mountain to Johnson City were mostly flat, though I had headwinds again.

At 37 miles turned west at Johnson City. This is the area where Lyndon B Johnson grew up and there were numerous signs for LBJ items including his ranch and the post office where he mailed his first letter. Apparently, the town was named Johnson City in 1879, thus predating the former president. From here onto US 290 and across some gentle hills. Seemed like I still had some light headwinds. At 47 miles a brief stop in Hye and then past the LBJ park and then to Stonewall, the small town closest to the Johnson Ranch. It was rush hour at the cafe, but they made a good burger. Stopped to read the newspaper before cycling the last bits into Fredericksburg. I saw a few cars with bikes on top as I neared and actually saw cyclists out riding as I came into town. Surprising to me that I hadn’t seen any cyclists before in Dallas or until I got close to Fredericksburg.

Plan is to stay here for the week and do (unloaded) rides with Texas Hell Week. I’m looking forward to cycling with more cyclists out here.

68 miles today.