This is Denise again. The group had a rest day in Austin so I flew down to visit, not only Alan, but the group. I was welcomed with lots of hugs from the group which affirmed that this is truly an amazing group of people that Alan is riding with. Below are some insights I have gained from the riders from a few questions and a bit partying.
Q: After 1,600 miles on a bike, what hurts?
Harris: What doesn’t hurt?
Alan: I am always stiff and sore in the mornings and some mornings I can barely walk but once I am on my bike, I’m fine. I use a CDB balm on my legs daily.
STEVE: “My butt.” Steve was having issues with his saddle (bike seat). After a little adjusting, his butt was doing better. FYI - Butt Butter is common among cyclists. It comes in small packets and quite large tubes and is commonly mentioned around camp.
Q: What did you underestimate?
Alan: The cold. I was well prepared with warm riding clothes and sleeping items; when it was cold, you couldn’t get away from it. Most days you camped in the cold and you rode in the cold. I ride in the winter in Iowa so I am accustomed to riding in the cold. There were days I wished that I had my Smith winter helmet and ski goggles.
Tom: When you give up on a 60 mile day and stop riding, then look back at days that you completed that were longer and much more difficult, and wonder why you couldn't finish that 60 mile day.
Harris: The cold. (Harris is from Florida so the could was doubly difficult for him.
Q: What is the worst part of the trip?
Everyone: Riding on highways, including interstates and local roads with no shoulders. Traffic on these roads travel at a high rate of speed and it is very unnerving and stressful to be continually passed by or buffeted by semis. The road coming into Austin has been the worst with no shoulder and an eroded surface. It makes one wonder if whoever selected this route have ever ridden the route on a bicycle, haven’t ridden it in many years or the route is simply the best of bad options.
Texas chip seal is a simple layer of tar like substance with loose, angular, aggregate stones on top. The vehicles then push the rock into the tar, but the problem is the rocks do not get into the tar on the shoulders, making the shoulder surfaces very rough with sharp edges on the rocks. Chip seal is used to keep water from penetrating road surfaces on old pavement and is cheaper than asphalt. There are variations of chip seal and are very noticeable when you cross a county line in Texas.
Q: What bike problems have you had?
Several people took the opportunity in Austin to take their bikes to a bike shop and have them checked over. Alan’s bike had a good report and they only lubed his chain at no charge. Chuck took a fall way back in San Diego which apparently bent a part of his detailer. They fixed it, again at no charge, and he could really tell a difference in how his bike shifted.
Then the party.
Stephen hosted a great party in his and Dan's room at the beautiful Super 8. He had food, homemade margaritas and a couple bottles of wine. They let me hang with them and it was a great time! We talked and then sang oldies, mostly badly. I knew the choruses for most of the songs but I was blown away that Tom AND Karen both knew all of the lyrics! I did get video evidence of Tom having a good time!
Fun ,fun for all,well deserved