Longest ride today. 70 miles.
It was an improvement on yesterday, my knees didn't ache as much. Probably because I was trying not to strain them. When the wind built up or the climbing got steeper I just lowered the gears instead of pushing harder. Probably the way forward with even longer days this week.
I started out at about quarter to eight with a climb out of Austin up to roughly 7,500 ft. After this there was a beautiful bit of downhill coasting that lasted about half an hour, followed by another climb.
By this point it was about 10 ish and I has done 30 odd miles.
I resisted the temptation to keep stopping for pictures because I wanted to get some good mileage done before the day got too hot.
The next stage was a roughly 40 mile, dead straight road, in blazing sun with few clouds about.
Luckily the general slope was downhill but unfortunately, not steep enough to freewheel.
It wasn't as bad as yesterday. There was a slight headwind most of the way but never too strong and the direction was not too changeable so you knew where you were with it.
It was on this straight that I notice for the first time that there were snow peaked mountains behind me and getting smaller. Beats watching them get bigger and bigger as you approach them.
Anyway, looking forwards again, some lovely big snow peaked mountains seemed to be growing in size.
The last 4 or 5 miles of the day the climbing started again for the final time. Eureka is halfway up a pass which is 7,400 ft. It was another dizzy and sweaty end to a days riding. I definitely think I had too much sun today!
I rode into Eureka (population about 600) as they were enjoying their annual car show/competition. A few old Cadillacs, monster car, mustang etc etc. in fact any classic American car you can think of was probably there.
It seemed they were just lined up along the street and people were taking their turns to rev their engines and drive up and down the high street/only street and make lots of noise.
My motel is bang on the high street looking down on the heart of the action.
This may sound like fun but the action consists of a few blokes whooping, hollering, burping and drinking beer so not super appealing. They look like they're having fun though!
I don't mean to be boring, I would quite like to try and get in the spirit and loosen up with a few beers - but I'm meant to be riding 77 miles, with 4 heavyish panniers over mountains tomorrow!
I have been hoping it might descend into violence so the sherif could make some arrests and the town could go back to normal. Im sure it is peaceful and picturesque the rest of the year.
My priority on arriving was finding some good healthy food which is proving to be more and more difficult.
The two food places in Eureka both do burgers or pizza or something that varies very little from those options! Fine dining is lettuce added to a burger - 'the burger exotica'
It has been another great day though. A real physical struggle but worth it. If I make the next town tomorrow I think I'm going to have to take another rest day. Poor old legs.
It was an improvement on yesterday, my knees didn't ache as much. Probably because I was trying not to strain them. When the wind built up or the climbing got steeper I just lowered the gears instead of pushing harder. Probably the way forward with even longer days this week.
I started out at about quarter to eight with a climb out of Austin up to roughly 7,500 ft. After this there was a beautiful bit of downhill coasting that lasted about half an hour, followed by another climb.
By this point it was about 10 ish and I has done 30 odd miles.
I resisted the temptation to keep stopping for pictures because I wanted to get some good mileage done before the day got too hot.
The next stage was a roughly 40 mile, dead straight road, in blazing sun with few clouds about.
Luckily the general slope was downhill but unfortunately, not steep enough to freewheel.
It wasn't as bad as yesterday. There was a slight headwind most of the way but never too strong and the direction was not too changeable so you knew where you were with it.
It was on this straight that I notice for the first time that there were snow peaked mountains behind me and getting smaller. Beats watching them get bigger and bigger as you approach them.
Anyway, looking forwards again, some lovely big snow peaked mountains seemed to be growing in size.
The last 4 or 5 miles of the day the climbing started again for the final time. Eureka is halfway up a pass which is 7,400 ft. It was another dizzy and sweaty end to a days riding. I definitely think I had too much sun today!
I rode into Eureka (population about 600) as they were enjoying their annual car show/competition. A few old Cadillacs, monster car, mustang etc etc. in fact any classic American car you can think of was probably there.
It seemed they were just lined up along the street and people were taking their turns to rev their engines and drive up and down the high street/only street and make lots of noise.
My motel is bang on the high street looking down on the heart of the action.
This may sound like fun but the action consists of a few blokes whooping, hollering, burping and drinking beer so not super appealing. They look like they're having fun though!
I don't mean to be boring, I would quite like to try and get in the spirit and loosen up with a few beers - but I'm meant to be riding 77 miles, with 4 heavyish panniers over mountains tomorrow!
I have been hoping it might descend into violence so the sherif could make some arrests and the town could go back to normal. Im sure it is peaceful and picturesque the rest of the year.
My priority on arriving was finding some good healthy food which is proving to be more and more difficult.
The two food places in Eureka both do burgers or pizza or something that varies very little from those options! Fine dining is lettuce added to a burger - 'the burger exotica'
It has been another great day though. A real physical struggle but worth it. If I make the next town tomorrow I think I'm going to have to take another rest day. Poor old legs.
Nice rear view
Things had quietened down.
Further up from main high street, Eureka
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