Connie had told me last night that the route I am biking today is here favorite in all of Texas. I was excited to see why. To be honest, I didn't think it was anything special. My route today did take me through the Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge, which was pleasant. I think it was the constant flow of logging trucks, that swayed my opinion. These loggers are ruthless. I understand that I as a cyclist, is nothing more than an hindrance to them. They must slow down, move into the other lane, and some blast their horn at me just to show their displeasure. Sorry, but I am following an official bicycling route that hundreds do every year. So, get used to it, slow down, and most important, share the road. Hard to explain this to the haulers as they are flying by me at 70 mph with an 50 ton load of lumber and inches from my bike and body. Ultimately, I lose and I am we'll aware of this. I will be safe and just pull off the road, let them pass and move on.
For the first time on this trip, the road was straight. Dead straight, and for miles. A hauler would pass me and 5 minute later I could still see it off in the distance. Not only was today's road straight, but it was flat. I haven't had a flat road for as long as I can remember. With flat roads, there's no ascending, but there's no descending either. The first half of today I fought headwinds as I have most of this trip. The second half of the day, I changed direction to head north and the south wind blasted my back and pushed me to my destination much fast and easier.
My main concern now is the sun. I am roasted out here, even with my new friends "the trees". It's my forearms and legs that are taking the worst of it. I know sunscreen. Well, it's not that easy. I am wiping sweat off my body every 15 to 30 minutes. So the sunscreen would wipe off also. My desert white long sleeve shirt worked great out west, but the humidity adds another element to my problems. The shirt is soaked in an hour. I guess, I will just have to go that route and deal with it. Today reached 98 degrees. I wish I could say I am getting used to it but 26 days in a row with 90 degrees plus is a bit much. I have not biked through one drop of rain this entire trip. It has rained at night but minimal.
I stopped for a break in the town of Honey Island at the one and only service station. I walked in as I need a cold drink and met Dave, Dave is the owner and the man behind the counter. As soon as I said hello. He asked "where are you from"? "Boston", I said. "Didn't you notice anything" he says to me. I'am confused to be honest. I look around to see if I could figure out what the heck he is talking about, but I noticed nothing. He points behind him, on the counter was an New England Patriots hat. "I'am a huge fan and I catch a lot of flack about it from these Dallas Cowboys fans", he says to me. I laugh and we talk football for some time. I guzzle down my two ice cold drinks and hit the boiling hot pavement.
With the aid of the tailwind this afternoon, I made it farther than I thought today but I was still spent. I found the cheap Kirbyville Motel and cleaned up right away. After I was cleaned up I walked next door to a gas station and mini mart to get a few drinks for the rest of the afternoon and the night. I bring my goods up to the counter and the girl says to me "your a biker aren't you". Yes I am, how do you know? Keep in mind that I am showered and in just shorts and t-shirt. "You look hot" she says to me. Wow, that's not good if I look that bad after being showered. I think she saw my burning limbs and she's right. I need to project myself better. Time to get creative.
Photos: Leaving the Sperherd Sanctuary - The Trinity River - Miles of straight, flat road - Me, biking into the town of Kountze, TX - One of the hundreds of heavy haulers to pass me by. Don't be fooled by the wide shoulder I the photo. Believe me, that was rare - I won't mess with Texas, but just get me out of Texas
I do understand your desire to be done with Texas!!! and those truckers! and just where are they finding all these trees to cut down, I wonder...
ReplyDeleteLinda