I packed up and left the “snake” motel around 8:00. I preferred an earlier start but our SAG team wants us to start at 8:00. OK? OK!
The wind was as predicted, 10-15 mph, from the east, and we were headed east. I made it to the first SAG at 20 miles. I knew then, this ride would be merciless. The wind got stronger with every mile. I made it to the second SAG at 40 miles. Only 5 of us decided to continue. The SAG vehicle and van were full with the other riders. Some got in the van at the first SAG. My strategy for this ride was now pointless.
Side note: We shared part of the route with Timberland tours and Coast to Coast. We would pass them, then they would pass us, but we were clearly outnumbered since most of our group stopped at 20 miles.
Today was to be the longest ride of the entire tour. 118 miles through rolling hills with a net downhill of 2,500 Ft . Who can't ride downhill for a few miles? Me, facing a 35 mph headwind. It did turn out to be the longest ride, but only by time on the bike, not distance.
It took us five and a half hours to get to the halfway point. The writing was on the wall. It was almost 3:00 when we forged ahead to the next SAG stop 18 miles away, and conditions were only getting worse. Two hours later, we still weren't there, and I was beat up by the wind. It never stopped. A gust of wind hit so suddenly, and so hard, that I was stopped in mid pedal stroke. I clipped out just in time to keep from falling over. Going downhill 3 to 5% grades, I was pedaling as hard as I could just to keep moving. I passed a guy on an e-bike. He was pushing his bike. He said he couldn’t pedal through the wind.
The SAG car caught up with us (not hard) around mile 72. We didn’t have enough water so we got topped off. She asked if we could make it to mile 78 and she would meet us there. Ok. 6 more miles. That would take an hour, maybe more with the hills. We made it. From there she directed us to a pickup area where we could be collected by the van and delivered to the hotel. It was now considered a weather event, not safe for cycling.
In summary, no one finished the full ride today.
We did ride very close to the Mexican border. Every few miles, we noticed Border Patrol vehicles parked at key vantage points along our route. I found it comforting to learn that Border Patrol does take notice of cyclists (today there were three different cross country bicycle tour groups following the same route.) They also have assisted cyclists in distress. There aren't many first responders in the area, so the Border Patrol steps in.
It’s good to be safe in Del Rio, TX also known as the Oasis of Texas. Population 36,000.
Picos River. We just rode over the bridge before the ride was called.
