Another brutal day. This trip is turning into an endurance test.
It started out nicely; overcast, cool, and a smooth shoulder to counteract the mild headwinds. Unfortunately, the shoulder ended 9.86 miles down the road, at the far end of the Laughlin Air Force Base, where new Air Force recruits begin their training. And then we were back on the chip-seal and into a strong headwind. For 64 spine-rattling, mind-numbing, soul-destroying miles.
Paul, our leader, pointed out it could have been worse; we could have been riding after the road crews had put down a new layer of chip-seal. We passed several stockpiles of gravel that were being prepared for that purpose.
Paul and Nicole have been working overtime to keep everyone's spirits up, with various degrees of success. It doesn't help that we're faced with multi-days of the same riding conditions. C'mon Louisiana!
I met and chatted with a young self-contained cyclist, Murphy, from Waterloo, Ont, who was doing the Southern Tier east to west. He'd left St. Augustine in March, and was making good time with tailwinds; he'd picked a good year ride the tier in that direction. Interestingly enough, he had visited Kamloops in the past, and was very impressed with the beer produced at the Noble Pig. So I told him I'd visit the pub on my return to Kamloops, and raise a glass in his honour.
Tonight we're at a very nice campground, complete with great showers, a laundromat, and a large indoor pavilion where we will have our meals and map meeting. There's a 50% chance of rain overnight and tomorrow. Looks like my streak may be coming to an end.
We're into Texas hill country, so while the daily rides may be shorter, they'll be strenuous. With chip-seal. Yippee!
Tomorrow will be the halfway point, time wise, of the tour. It's also my turn to cook. So, we take the good with the bad. ;)
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