Sun 10/21/07
Staying an extra day because of strong headwinds. It seemed calm this morning, but the weather man assured me this was a lull before the wind picks up.
11:00 AM
The wind is blowing pretty steady now but doesn't seem to have peaked.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Day 53: Van Horn, TX to Sierra Blanca, TX
Sat 10/20/07
31.97 mi,
1,407 mi total
896 ft cum
3:34 hrs ride time
8.9 mph avg
96 F Sunny
I-10 the whole way.
Entered Mountain time today.
Today's ride was much like yesterday, a climb out of town followed by a long flat stretch with a subtle climb into the next town. The wind pattern was about the same too, more of a headwind at the start and end of the ride with a fairly strong sidewind in between.
I'm expecting a strong headwind over the next couple of days. NW 15 to 30 with gusts up to 40 mph predicted for Sunday. I'll probably stay in Sierra Blanca an extra day.
31.97 mi,
1,407 mi total
896 ft cum
3:34 hrs ride time
8.9 mph avg
96 F Sunny
I-10 the whole way.
Entered Mountain time today.
Today's ride was much like yesterday, a climb out of town followed by a long flat stretch with a subtle climb into the next town. The wind pattern was about the same too, more of a headwind at the start and end of the ride with a fairly strong sidewind in between.
I'm expecting a strong headwind over the next couple of days. NW 15 to 30 with gusts up to 40 mph predicted for Sunday. I'll probably stay in Sierra Blanca an extra day.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Day 52: I-10 / I-20 Picnic Area to Van Horn, TX
Fri 10/19/07
49.68 mi,
1,375 mi total
1,156 ft cum
33,719 ft total
5:06 hrs ride time
9.7 mph avg
65/96
49 F this morning. This has been the norm since Marathon, but was around 65 by the time I started the ride. Agreeable sidewinds/long flats and a resonable distance made for a nice ride today. I picked up a slow leak in the rear tire when I pulled into town, making it difficult to shop for a reasonable hotel. I had to pump up the tire after stopping at each hotel. I finally settled for Motel 6 on the far end of town. My GPS navigator has proven to not be very useful out here around these smaller towns. There are 17 hotels in Van Horn including Super 8, Holiday Inn, Ramada, Motel 6, EconoLodge and not one is in my database. Brand GPS Mapper is Mio C220.
49.68 mi,
1,375 mi total
1,156 ft cum
33,719 ft total
5:06 hrs ride time
9.7 mph avg
65/96
49 F this morning. This has been the norm since Marathon, but was around 65 by the time I started the ride. Agreeable sidewinds/long flats and a resonable distance made for a nice ride today. I picked up a slow leak in the rear tire when I pulled into town, making it difficult to shop for a reasonable hotel. I had to pump up the tire after stopping at each hotel. I finally settled for Motel 6 on the far end of town. My GPS navigator has proven to not be very useful out here around these smaller towns. There are 17 hotels in Van Horn including Super 8, Holiday Inn, Ramada, Motel 6, EconoLodge and not one is in my database. Brand GPS Mapper is Mio C220.
Day 51: Balmorhea State Park, TX to I-10 / I-20 Picnic Area
Thur 10/18/07
22.79 mi,
1,325 mi total
1,086 ft cum
4:06 hrs ride time
5.5 mph avg
93/80 F Very windy
The wind looks like it could be a problem all week. Basically, I'm concerned I will not be able to make it to Van Horn, a 70 mile ride, in a day. I decided to break it down to two days by staying at a picnic area just past where I-10/I-20 meet. I do not recommend doing this. Erection of tents are illegal here. I slept on a picnic table with the noise and fumes from trucks parked next to me.
22.79 mi,
1,325 mi total
1,086 ft cum
4:06 hrs ride time
5.5 mph avg
93/80 F Very windy
The wind looks like it could be a problem all week. Basically, I'm concerned I will not be able to make it to Van Horn, a 70 mile ride, in a day. I decided to break it down to two days by staying at a picnic area just past where I-10/I-20 meet. I do not recommend doing this. Erection of tents are illegal here. I slept on a picnic table with the noise and fumes from trucks parked next to me.
Day 50: Rest Day in Balmorhea State Park
The wind is too strong to ride. I decided to stick around and enjoy the spring fed pool which stays a constant 72 to 76 degrees year round. I met lots of interesting people. Good times.
Day 49: Davis Mountain State Park, TX to Balmorhea State Park, TX
Tues 10/16/07
34.62 mi,
1,298 mi total
493 ft cum
2:40 hrs ride time
Add story about Javalina camp raid here.
34.62 mi,
1,298 mi total
493 ft cum
2:40 hrs ride time
Add story about Javalina camp raid here.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Day 48: Marathon, TX to Ft. Davis, TX
Mon 10/15/07
30.43 mi,
1,262 mi total
1,261 ft cum
3:14 hrs ride time
9.3 mph avg
73/83/78 Clear skies
I stopped in the Fort Davis library to enter some basic info for the last few days. Today's ride is not over yet. My time on the computer is being timed so I'm being brief here. I hope to back fill info at some time.
Gotta run.
30.43 mi,
1,262 mi total
1,261 ft cum
3:14 hrs ride time
9.3 mph avg
73/83/78 Clear skies
I stopped in the Fort Davis library to enter some basic info for the last few days. Today's ride is not over yet. My time on the computer is being timed so I'm being brief here. I hope to back fill info at some time.
Gotta run.
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