Today was a long day! I got started at 8:00. 42°, leg warmers, full finger gloves and layers. 65° after the first 20 miles. Redressed (undressed 🙂) at the first SAG. SAG stops at 20, 40, 60 miles. 86° at the end of the ride.
Headwinds were predicted via EpicRideWeather app. Mostly eastern winds occur in this part of Texas this time of year. The winds were calm in the morning and by noon 14-16 mph. The route was rolling in the first 52 miles, then downhill the rest of the way. Unfortunately, we fought against the wind even going downhill.
After Alpine, towns are few and the country is desolate, full of sagebrush and tumbling tumbleweeds. As you travel through central Texas, the terrain starts to feel like the Alps, but this is actually the famous "hill country."
US-90 road surface is gravel chip coated. The chips are 1-2 inches wide and the excess gravel is not swept away. There is nothing smooth about it. We ride in the road when we can, which is 95% of the time because there is no traffic, and we move to the shoulder when vehicles approach. Hold on tight when you move to the shoulder on US-90! It’s a bumpy ride!
Sanderson, Texas, calls itself the Cactus Capitol of the World 🌵. It used to be a major depot for the cattle business until the railroad moved their business elsewhere. It has a population of 861.
We are staying at the Outback Oasis Motel. Apparently, the former owners used to have a room full of snakes next to the office. 😳🐍 The place is under new management, but the former owners still live here. I have not seen any snakes. I’m sleeping with one eye open tonight! 😵💫
The road ahead. Gravel chip coat. 😟
Not funny!