I packaged up my bike and gear. It weighed in at 57 pounds for gear. Yikes!, though actually not a lot different from when I departed LA to Australia six years ago. I’ll see about shedding some gear on the way though.

Update: reached Amsterdam – uneventful flight and only an hour delay.  More later.

I did stop in at the largest bike shop I’ve seen: Richardson Bikemart. It is essentially a super-market sized bicycle shop with claims to be the worlds largest bike shop. Several of the bike mechanics at Texas Hell Week had been associated with the store and so I made an appointment to have my bike checked over. Along the way, I also had the chain and brake pads replaced. These are replaced ahead of time, but rather do these preventively in advance. I also stopped at the laundromat, and several local shops (Barnes & Noble, REI, Frys Electronics,…) and otherwise had a restful day. I also picked up my extra stuff I had left behind. Tomorrow the task will be to sort through everything and perhaps mail a few more things back to Colorado.

Slept in a little since I didn’t have far to ride today, and I was hoping for some of the rush hour to subside. My motel room looked over I-35W and there were a lot of commuters on their way to work. South winds continued today, so last four days have been mostly tailwinds. I cycled up to the next freeway exit and then turned east for 10 miles on FM1167. Moderate traffic, and gentle grades. Also some trees to shield the strong cross winds. At mile 11 I reached US 287 business again and now turned north on Cooper Road. Six lanes of traffic but it was all mostly well behaved (poor driver of the day award goes to a silver SUV with Texas license plate: 923-TJL).

At mile 19, I saw a AAA office listed on my AAA map, and stopped in for a more detailed map of Dallas as well as some overview maps of Europe. Despite not having an automobile, I’ve generally gotten my membership from hotel discounts and from maps. While in the AAA office, we had some light showers. After this I crossed I-20 and some miles later I-30. From here left Arlington (population 360,000) into Fort Worth (population 540,000) and then Euless.

Cycled along the Euless main street and then into DFW airport from the side.

I rented a minivan for a few days of errands here in the Dallas area. My bicycle is scheduled to be serviced tomorrow and I’ll also pick up the gear I left behind. Good chance to stop in the laundromat and also see what things I might really take with me and which ones to mail back to Colorado. Otherwise, a somewhat relaxing time in the last English speaking country for a while. 37 miles cycling today. I also met my goal of doing 1000 practice miles riding in Texas.

Lots of truck traffic from here on in. Still a lot of these gravel trucks, oil drilling trucks and also half a dozen different places with some level of road construction. The shoulder was a bit bumpy but mostly there. Climbed over the hill at Chalk Mountain and then some winding gentle hills to come into Glen Rose for a late breakfast at 27 miles. From Glen Rose, lots more truck traffic. Just past the Brazos River, a several mile gentle climb. Hmmm… I don’t remember descending this. Nevertheless, fairly quick cycling against the cross wind. At this point, I decided to take the business route into the town of Cleburne. Good place to stop for lunch here and determine the next steps. I didn’t quite want to stop here for the day – but also didn’t want to go the ~30 miles I expected until the next motel on 917. So, instead decided to turn north (downwind) and follow 174.

This route went a little quicker. It was mostly 4 or 6 lanes of busy traffic, passing through one or two urban areas. There was a fair amount of debris on the shoulder. Otherwise straightforward cycling. TX 174 ends at I-35 and I was hoping to find some motels at the end point, as well as a frontage road along the interstate. Before I knew it, I was on a ramp with two choices: “I-35W southbound” and “I-35W northbound”. The normal frontage road exit was closed due to construction. So, I got off the bike and walked the bike across and through some of the construction zone to pick my way to nearby frontage road. Yeah! Not much further here were two motels. The first was busy, but second had room.

67 miles today. Today is first day of spring, so after this longer days going further north.

Today had a number of gentle rises over a hill and then down the other side. I stopped briefly in Adamsville at place above left, named “The Store”. The proprietor remembered me from the trip down. He said, “hope to see you again” – to which I replied, “no offense intended but if I am by here again, something has likely gone very wrong”. Some more gentle climbs and descents to come into Evant at 31 miles. I stopped in the grocery store here.

After Evant it was a straightforward ride to Hamilton at mile 47. I passed the motel I had stayed before and stopped briefly in town for lunch. I had a good tailwind, though not quite as strong as the day before. From here a nice straightforward ride into Hico. I was curious if I would find internet but as photo bottom left shows, they also had a banner for “free wireless internet”. I can’t get cell phone service here but can get the internet. It was early enough that I could have continued, but decided to stop in and visit this town for a change. Overall, a nice easy ride today. It threatened to rain once or twice but kept dry. I’m expected slightly more showers over the next two days cycling into Dallas.

68 miles today.

Last night caught up with Shanna Armstrong over dinner. Shanna is an impressive athlete who has done quite a bit of endurance cycling including competing (and winning) two Race Across America bike races. We met at Gator Hell Week a few years ago, and overlapped a few times since (e.g. when we were cycling/hiking to top of Mauna Kea, Shanna was competing, and winning, the Ultraman event – essentially a 320 mile triathalon). Shanna is currently training for Gigathalon, a five sport event (road biking, mountain biking, inline skating, running and swimming). If you are looking for someone to cheer on this summer (or even better send a few $ to help sponsor her racing or help the Lubbock Boys and Girls Club), check out Shanna’s website.

This morning I loaded everything on the bike and set off a little before sunrise. The bike was noticeably heavier, though still handled well.
In general, I noticed the roads I was cycling were considerably flatter than the Texas Hell Week rides, so I was making good progress. I was a little wary of the roughness of US 290, but with loaded panniers, the roughness seemed to get smoothed out a bit. A brief pause at Stonewell at mile 14 and then at Hye at mile 20. They had a big scale outside the post office. I stood on it, and best could tell, still roughly the same weight as I set off two weeks ago. From here a few winding hills before coming through Johnson City at mile 31.

From Johnson City, the cross winds changed over to tailwinds. Hooray! Made sure not to cheer too soon as there were some gentle slopes to cross over. At mile 42, a brief stop in Round Mountain where I met a local cyclist who had also cycled some of the Hell Week rides. From here some gentle ups and downs and into Marble Falls at mile 53 for lunch. Overall, on this part and other routes today I was on a four lane highway with moderate amounts of traffic and not much for (smooth) shoulders. I’m glad I made it to Lampasas since I remember the road getting better from here.

After lunch a slow steady climb up the hill and into Burnet. This had been my initial stop for the day, but it wasn’t too late and I had some good tailwinds, so decided to continue another 22 miles to Lampasas. Found a hotel with wireless internet. There isn’t much of a real center to this town. All a bit spread out, so walked around and then came back to update the web site. Happy to have tailwinds!

87 miles today.

Bert and Jean left early today. I headed over for the 9am group start and there were fewer folks there as well, some are already on their way home. Today I did the B ride with a short-cut at the very end. We cycled together in a big group heading southbound on Texas 16. After 6 miles we turned onto smaller roads and river road. This took us briefly on US 87 and then via backroads again. Here some gentle climbs to reach the Tunnel Wildlife Management area again.  Too early for lunch, so took a quick break before cycling back by way of Luckenbach.  We went through the town loop and there were many motorcycles out and about.  Also a big sign about one motorcycle being raffled.

From Luckenbach took the side roads back to US 290.  Here I took the more direct road along 290 and then into the side roads back to the Super 8 motel.  I stopped briefly on the way in because my right toe strap had  worn through, so replaced the strap and then finished the day.  Tomorrow, I’ll ride loaded again, so took an easier day today.

Overall, I’ve enjoyed the Hell Week cycling.  It is a bit different of an event with a “base camp” that lets you unpack everything into one motel room and get situated for the week.  Once again, Nick did a great job with cue sheets.  There are a surprising variety of small roads here and this allows for a sequence of A, B and C rides each day.  People often also do slight variations of the rides.  There are a good set of strong riders here and if your goal was training for next triathlon or cycling racing season, then Hell Week would be a good place to get in quite a few miles.  For my touring training, it also worked well.

49 miles today.

We left under partly cloudy skies and cooler temperatures. This morning had a 300km brevet departing at 6am for the real strong riders. Supposedly, 11 of them rode. I was there with many of the other riders at 9am. Once again, I picked the B route, posted for 66 miles. We cut across town on our standard routes and then out in the country. A brief stretch of 290 at 9 miles before taking 1376 south. This was a small road and as advertised we had some good hills to climb over as we rode this road for 20+ miles. We also had tailwinds which helped. It was still overcast and never really warmed much today. The last few miles into Sisterdale had a fun downhill. Zoom, despite the hills we were making good time. The hoard of hungry cyclists had consumed most of the good stuff at the store, but there was still one chocolate bar left. Myself and fellow cyclists wondered how much headwinds we would get from here.

The next 7 miles was mostly cross wind and some gentle hills. From here we turned north on old county road #9. This was nice quiet country road and mostly followed a water drainage with gentle hills. After 8 miles there was a steep climb up to the Old Tunnel State Wildlife Area. The wildlife area was named for a 920 foot long railroad tunnel that had been dug underneath the hill (too bad cyclists couldn’t use it). It had been abandoned in the 1940s but now this area was home to more than 3 million bats. Starting in April, there were evening viewings where you could come watch the bats take to the skies. Also nearby was a small cafe with very tasty burgers. That made for a good lunch.

After lunch, some more gentle riding into the wind, though more downhill this time. We then zigzagged through country roads for 8 miles or so, before the last 4 miles into the wind on Texas 16. I felt pretty slow into the last headwind, but overall am feeling like I’ve been riding stronger than 10 days ago. A fun Texas Hell Week ride today.

68 miles today.

At 27 miles the route brought us to the Doss Store. The store was filled with cyclists as the A riders looped around to this point as well. Nice place for a break. Also good chance to put on sunscreen after this point the sun came out for real. From Doss, we took smaller roads back southbound through winding areas. Some of these roads we’d done a few days before on trip from Harper. This included Old Harper Road. The photo above right was our one water crossing where cyclists carefully got off and walked. The water isn’t necessarily deep, but the hazard is if moss or other slippery stuff has grown. Without too much difficulty, circled around south and then back on TX 16 for ride back to town.

This afternoon the Nimitz Museum was free if you came wearing a Texas Hell Week shirt. I took advantage of the promotion and walked through the museum. It has a well done chronology of the entire pacific war with major battles and other points. It also has one entire building with the life story of Chester Nimitz, the CINCPAC (commander in chief pacific) selected in WWII just after Pearl Harbor to take over from Admiral Kimmel who held the post through Pearl Harbor. The Nimitz family had settled here in Texas and young Chester found a military academy a more interesting career than hotel tending.

Also outside was a hall of presidents, showing how 10 US presidents – starting with Roosevelt and ending with George Bush Sr. had some form of service associated with world war II. It was a fun museum to wander through.

62 miles today.

Last night was time for the Texas Hell Week Banquet. Nice chance to see everyone together, eat some bbq, and get together after the rain. We were tightly packed into the Nimitz hotel, a local museum here dedicated to the Nimitz family and also the WWII pacific theater war. The dinner was fun. Nick had me say a few words about my trip. Not quite sure what to say, but told about the overall plans and the road across Russia.

This morning a smaller group than normal. Most of those in town were doing the B ride to Blanco. Jean and I headed out of town to the North and East and through some winding roads. It got quieter as we got out of town. Without much difficulty we reached Harry’s at mile 22. Unfortunately left my camera back, but Harry’s was a fun Texas type bbq house. Jukebox was playing loud music. Inside were a collection of different memorabilia and folksy signs (e.g. “Only out of town cheques accepted” or “Shoes and Shirt required but bras and panties optional”. All throughout the inside, people had signed names and dates of their visit. A few small framed editions of reviews of Harry’s as a Texas institution were also present. Not too far from here is “the loop” a supposedly very scenic road going through wildflower areas and overlooking some nice drop offs.

After a nice big BBQ sandwich, Bert and I continued on smaller roads to the west. At mile 31 we turned south on Lower Cranapple drive. This road wound its way through the countryside and across a few sharp hills before coming back into town. A slight detour past supermarket before end to an easy cycling day. 46 miles today.

Left town under overcast skies and gentle ups and downs as we rode back roads to 290. A few miles on 290 before turning to the right and taking smaller roads. These smaller roads are smoother with smaller chips than the rough chip seal on 290. Also some smaller shorter hills. Circled back end ended up on the “Old Harper Road” to reach Harper at 34 miles. Bert and Jean had taken a more direct road so were already there. Also as photo above shows a number of other cyclists – some of whom had cycled one of the loops already. I stopped and had a nice lunch and then question was whether to do one of the B loops or to return back.

Decided I would do an extra loop of 15 miles heading to the south. Some smaller roads and not too many hills so it was a nice loop to finish at 49 miles. On return it was starting to sprinkle and the skies to the west looked darker and more ominous. Cyclists were starting to anticipate the ride back and how wet it might be. Another brief stop before returning via Old Harper Road. Along this road the rain became much heavier. It started to thunder and lightning and the rain started to pour. I was kept going on slowly.

At 61 miles, I was back to US 290 and rain was coming down in buckets. As I was slowly cycling along the road, a pickup slowed and stopped. Normally, I might wave the first one or two on, but rain was heavy enough and there was enough lightning that I opted for a ride. Thanks! Had a nice ride until the outskirts of Fredricksburg. A last few miles cycling into town. Guess I did one loop too many – if I’d ridden the C ride, I likely would have made it before the worst rain. 64 miles today.

The first eight miles were along the major route 16. From here we turned off onto smaller roads. The back roads go via a series of “ranches”. Some of them with quite high fences to keep livestock either in or out. There are still a good share of cattle grades along the way as well. It stayed dry in the morning and over time the skies began to clear more. A few short steep hills but also some flatter pieces along the way. At 23 miles turned right onto 763 and headed north to Harper. I think I had been on this road back in 2001 when I cycled across the USA.

Dauna’s store was at mile 35 in Harper. Many cyclists stopped here as this was the one store along the way. The photo below shows one cyclist who had troubles with his pedals. Helpful friends had worked through things by helping to duct tape his shoe to the pedal. This meant he would need to stay on the bike, even through the tough hills ahead.

After a nice lunch at Dauna’s I went north on the scenic but more hill portion of the ride. There were one or two places where the road crossed a small stream. It was recommended to walk across these crossings. At one of them some workmen were busy clearing the channel. Apparently, the stream had been dry yesterday but they had 4 inches of rain locally in spots here and now water flowing. Also, apparently, someone had fallen and broken a hip last year. So I walked carefully.

I walked once or twice after that. However, it was mostly because the grade quickly changed to a sharp upturn. I didn’t see a lot of value to quickly shift into a low gear when I could walk up the hill almost as fast. It was beautiful scenic area with many short little hills and small windy road through them. At 62 miles I came into US 87 and more major road. A brief side road here and then off downhills to Fredericksburg. A fun ride today with more hills than before and steadily improving weather. 72 miles today.

As the group assembled before the ride, the unanswered question was “what will the weather do today”. Was the overcast some low clouds that would burn off or a start of something wetter. No good way to know so we set off. The first six miles were along a major road (TX 16) and fairly quick. From here we turned off to Center Point Road and the fun began. For the next 14 miles this road would climb and drop across little dips and cross many small cattle crossings. In one or two places, cows freely crossed over the road. It was a nice quiet and rustic road. After 18 miles or so, the road started to descend and we also got our first rain. Light raindrops on the way. A number of the other cyclists turned around already. At mile 23 was end of this road and turn onto 1341. While this was a larger road, the surface was surprisingly rougher version of chip seal.

For the next 11 miles, cycled along this road. Mostly by myself as others were either ahead or perhaps had turned around already. One or two sharp hills and from what I could see through the mist, was a pretty area. At mile 34 turned onto a more major road and descended down into part of Kerrville. Nice place for a quick snack for lunch. From here the A and B routes split and I followed the B. Went past the airport and then back along a very small road across and through the hills. Was a nice little route and really didn’t see any other traffic along the way. Rain continued intermittently.

After this came back to our original road and then retraced the last 22 miles. There was a large hill to climb at first, but I was surprised at how much was downhill after that. It was nice to get back to town, as the showers were occasionally getting more severe. Today was definitely hillier than yesterday and a little longer. The rain and fog closed in the views and gave more of a sense of being alone on the roads as you couldn’t see cyclists or others further on the road. Nice ride overall.  No photos today as I kept the camera dry

75 miles today.

Yesterday, I cycled over to pick up my Hell Week materials. Nick and Becky Gerlich have organized this event as well as a number of other Hell Week theme rides. As of this morning there were over 300 registered so a fun event with other cyclists. I left this morning for a 9am start. Lots of people out and about and without much fuss we were off. All of the A, B and C rides shared the initial departure route and also crossed over each other a few times later. We bunched up some at the lights but slowly spread ourselves out along the way. There were some gentle hills to cross and many folks passed as I slowly climbed the hills. Lots of little winding country roads and not too much on the bigger highways. We passed briefly onto TX 16. Here a local police officer was telling folks to ride on the shoulder. Unfortunately, the shoulder was a lot rougher than right side of the travel lane, but we didn’t have long before turning to the next winding road.

Some gentle hills to cross until we turned south towards Stonewall. I had been here yesterday, and stopped briefly at the store for more refreshments. This was one of those sections where all of the A/B/C routes intersected but each going slightly different ways. From here backtrack and up a road known as Grape Creek. This area was rustic and very beautiful. A few sharp hills but it was worth it going along the countryside. At 43 miles back to the larger road and then mostly along those major roads back to Fredericksburg. Overall, it was a fairly easy ride since I wasn’t carrying all my gear along. 59 miles today.

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.

Left Hamilton before sunrise again. Nice shoulders on 281 and calm roads as I headed southbound. I had eaten two yogurts since I wasn’t sure when the next breakfast stop might be. The road wound up and down and through some gentle hills. Still calm as far as winds go. After 16 miles I came to Evart, population 393 and intersection with US 84. I got some breakfast food at the grocery store and left town on a gradual climb up a hill. More gentle hills to climb over and then several miles of more flat along the Lapasas river into Adamsville. There was one store in town and its name was “The Store”. Friendly folks here and also a friendly cat. They told me I was now officially in the Hill Country region.

There were some hills, though nothing out of the ordinary climbing up and over Lapasas. With a population of 7000 people this was big town with major intersection of several roads. Also a good place for an early lunch. Leaving Lapasas, US281 continued to have two lanes each way and not much shoulder. Also unfortunately the first 14 miles was a rough chip seal. The hills didn’t seem very steep but I was going pretty slow. Also seemed like the wind was picking up. Finally at mile 60, the road became smooth again and tended more downhill. It was nice to get into Burnet. While it was only 2pm, I had traveled half the distance to Fredericksburg and decided to leave the rest for tomorrow.

The couple running the motel was from Gujarat state in India, same as the last three nights of motels. They told me they didn’t have wireless internet – so I’m quickly borrowing an unprotected “linksys” connection that seems to be around. 68 miles 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.

From Euless, I took 157, also known as Industrial Avenue southbound. At 11 miles I crossed the Trinity River and continued southbound through Arlington. Some gentle grades across low hills. At 18 miles I reached I-20 and stopped for breakfast. From here I was a little confused as 157 was further west, but after a brief detour through some suburban neighborhoods I was back to Cooper Street. Cooper crossed US-287 and ended at business 287. Fun to be on this highway since my home in Fort Collins is only 0.3 miles from 287.

287 became Main Street in Mansfield and had cute old buildings, though didn’t look like much commerce. From here mostly followed smaller side roads including 917. A combination of 15mph headwinds and some hillier terrain made for slightly slower going. At Happy Hill another brief stop. I hadn’t seen many bicyclists and one of the locals asked how far I was riding. I said from “DFW to Cleburne” and he thought that was a pretty far distance. His furthest ride had been 14 miles. I took several different county roads and was back in Cleburne by 1:30pm. It was nice to have an unloaded ride and everything road pretty easily despite feeling a little more tired by hills and wind at the end.

A late lunch at the Chinese buffet where my fortune said “A routine task will turn into an enchanting adventure”. Hmm…I’m having enough fun having my adventure be an adventure – so not sure it is good to have adventuresome routine tasks as well :-). 56 miles cycled today.