Day 58, San Antonio TX to San Diego CA

Biiiiiiiiig bus day. Thirty hours of riding a bus and I might have been awake for two hours of it. Stayed out all night the night before so sleeping on the bus was easy. I was surrounded by babies and a couple loud people but things didn't get interesting until the crazy guy boarded the bus. Best way to describe him would be a drifter but crazy might be more accurate. He was constantly singing to himself and talking to himself. Full conversations about things he's done and places he's been arrested. At one point he was really excited about being able to listen to his radio. Fine, seems like something to get excited about. He pulls out this crazy bedside clock radio that is just a mess of cords and he is talking about how it is a prison issue radio from one if his friends that did ten years so it has sentimental value. So crazy. Just really crazy.

Thirty hours of sleep is what I need after some time in Texas though. Austin and San Antonio you did be in, yes you did.

Day 56, 57 San Antonio TX rest days

Oh man, did Jacy hook me up solid. Possibly the most comfy bed around and just warm and cosy. Hospitality through the roof and fun times. Went out for sushi and a couple bars and watched the basketball game which was fun. It was neat watching and hearing about the local team. Spurs fever down there, catch it.

Overall it was just a great time. Been two years since hanging with Jacy at the blackfish so it was fun seeing him again. I'm also just super jealous of the real estate in San Antonio. Super jealous.

Day 55, Austin TX to salt lick barbeque

I woke up late. I was tired. I was hungry. It was a bad situation at the start. It was raining. I saddled up and started to ride, seventy miles isn't too far... I've done it before I can do it again.

Turns out I couldn't do it. I rode 0.4 miles before calling up cousin Jacy with a plan. Salt lick barbeque was a place I really wanted to go and was only 25 miles outside town. If Jacy could meet me there we can both eat a bunch of barbeque and then he can give me a ride the rest of the way.... Fingers crossed he answers the phone. I made the call, pride nowhere to be found and he completely bailed me out. We even met two people in the bar area that were so excited about my biking that they bought us a six pack AND left a selection of beers next to my bike. Cool people, love bike trip.

Also this barbeque was unreal. The best brisket I've ever had. Ever. My only regret is that it is so far away. I crave that food right now. With every waking moment I want that barbeque. Every. Single. Moment. I'm legitimately tearing up a bit thinking about it. Great Q.

Went back to Jacy's place and met his lovely pets (I'm on team Daisy I think) before heading out to a onesie party at his friends place. I bought a batman onesie which I might never take off. So comfy. Great people over there though, fine group.

Trip stats

Hours riding: 2:06.26

Day miles: 25.92

Total miles west: 1534.68

Average speed: 12.3 mph

Max speed: 36.5 mph

Day 54, Austin TX rest day

I'm going to start with the day prior also which was also like a rest day. Checking into the hostel went just a little bumpy but I ended up making a new friend as a result. The hostel wanted a ten dollar cash key deposit and I only had eight. I guess I speak pretty loudly because an English girl offered to spot me the two bucks sight unseen. Very nice start to my stay in Austin. I also find out that there is a pub crawl they are going to do that night which is convenient because I love pubs! Turns out it was five dollars cash also and my English friend spotted me again. I didn't roll into town looking like a big spender but I did meet some nice people.

We hit some bars that night and there was plenty of live music and just neat bars. Sixth street is where everything goes down and oh boy is it a time. Had a good rip on the town and eventually made it back to the hostel.

The next day I wake up late and have barbeque on my mind. Because I rolled in late I never actually had dinner so I was soooooo hungry and wanted big barbeque. I meet up with my English friend in the morning and we decide to hang out for the day. Twist though, she is super vegan! Double twist, she is fine going to a barbeque place with me first as long as I go to a began place after. Whew, dodged a bullet. I put some brisket in my mouth and it is good, life restoring good. Love barbeque.

Blah blah blah walk around town Austin is nice. End up heading back to the hostel to see what's happening there and chill in the common room. Put on a movie which leads to some hilarious "beer sipping, rye movie comment making" times. Hook, then evil dead then Jurassic park. It was a hilarious good time where everyone bonded over fun movies and decided to hit the town together as a result. Hilarious dancing ensured and I had to defend 2000 era hip hop because someone thought it was too old. Not true!

Possibly the greatest fun though, what a time.

Rest day!

Day 53, La Grange TX to Austin TX

I'm going back into my memory bank on this one but I remember it like it was yesterday... How could I forget.

The day started like most days, not that early but earlier than others. The difference with today was it was freezing. Like a couple degrees above zero with a wicked wind in the face. Terrible. I ride one mile and put on all my rain gear in an attempt to feel my toes again. Rode another six miles before stopping into a gas station to warm up. Tough start.

Stopped for lunch outside of Austin and for more heat. I think I drank an entire pot of coffee while a guy told me I should read a book about a guy walking across America. I told him I already met a guy doing it. Looks like it must be a good idea, everyone is doing it.

Mile by painstaking mile straight shot along the highway I made it to Austin and found my hostel. The whole day I just kept my head down and tried to not focus on how cold I was. First impression of Austin is that I could totally live there. There was a train and so many bike lanes! Just a good looking town also, pretty city. Best part about it is that I can get warm again, sweet heat.

Trip stats
Hours riding:
Day miles: 66.04
Total miles west: 1508.78
Average speed: 10.6 mph
Max speed: 27.0 mph

Day 52, Navasota TX to La Grange TX

A great day of riding but one where I was constantly chasing the dragon. There was a powerful wind blowing in the morning and I thought it would be right at my back. It was initially but then my route veered right and the wind was blowing across me. Normally I'm fine with a cross breeze, better than a headwind right? But this wind was so powerful and if I could only get it completely at my back I'd just blast through the day. It was another late start (11am) so I kind of needed some wind assist. My route eventually would bend to the point where I thought the wind would power me forward, just needed to go a few more miles forward.

It never happened.

I had maybe 3 miles where I can remember the wind actually giving me a solid boost. For the entire day it was probably giving me a very small boost and definitely not a hindrance. It wasn't bad but man, it sure would have been sweet to have that wind pushing me, gusts up the 15 mph!

My other gripe with the day is that hills here are so long and slow that it is hard to maintain momentum up and over the hill. The hills are usually about a half a mile where three quarters of it is a shallow gradient up and then the final quarter is much steeper. All my momentum is gone by the time I hit the steep part so there is no way I can just coast over a hill. Basically the hills are lame and I prefer one big climb instead of a hundred little climbs.

I've complained a lot in this post but really it was a good day. Powerful wind that carried some cold with it but still sunny and warm enough. Beautiful country down here, real Texas ranch country. Plenty of cattle and fields and just nice looking Texas.

A weird thing was four very curious horses that kept checking out what I was doing. They just kept eyeing me down, so I stared back. We looked at each other, the four horses just in a line for some time. Then I would start moving down the fence and the horses would run ahead of me. Then I would stop and we would look at each other some more. Strange beasts. Majestic beasts.

I also went through antique alley today. There were like five towns in a row that were just loaded with antique stores. Between the towns were barns loaded with antiques. One place was loaded with old gas station signs. So many signs for gas stations but no gas in sight.

I also saw many giant fake cows on people's yards, more than I'd expect. There was also a giant gorilla which made zero sense.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 5:22.45
Day miles: 71.11
Total miles west: 1442.78
Average speed: 13.2 mph
Max speed: 32.1 mph

Day 51, Shepherd TX to Navasota TX

Today was just an absolute grind, a grindy grind. I've been having trouble getting going in the morning but that is nothing new. Today though it might have finally got me. I was up early and had ever single opportunity to get ready. I remember thinking to myself, "brush the teeth and I'm out the door, so easy". Turns out not so easy, watched some highlights then got sucked into a weird movie where John Travolta was named wax. A quick Google shows it is called " from Paris with love ". Did I enjoy it? I think so. I wonder if I was so against moving that I would have enjoyed anything but I'm not sure. I want to think that I'm thinking clear enough to know if I'm enjoying a movie or not but who knows. I've enjoyed lots of movies because I was too tired to not enjoy them. Passively enjoying a movie is easier than either finding something better or getting frustrated about. "They said you were crazy for growing soy beans here... You don't look so crazy now." Not a great movie but I watched it anyway and I can't go back. Sure I thought it was insane that twenty odd people were going to try and pick acres of soy beans. Not possible, still tried to enjoy the movie. Soy beans. That guy was also way too short to be a star wide receiver. Weird movie.

Anyway, I stalled in the morning but still got going eventually. First thing that hit me when I got outside was the wind, then it kept hitting me for the next seven hours, right in the face. It was a strong wind, the type of wind that can really flap a flag. It was super annoying and there was plenty of hills to battle along the way also. Just the rolling type of hills that have a long slow uphill so it is impossible to carry momentum up the hill. Just had to grind it out. I would like to thank my power legs for taking me to the finish line. Legs, insanely strong calves.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 6:14.57
Day miles: 79.01
Total miles west: 1371.58
Average speed: 12.6 mph
Max speed: 30.0 mph

Day 50, Silsbee TX to Shepherd TX

Another pretty basic day of riding, not much to report. It was another smooth road which I find I enjoy fully. A school but honked at me while being me at one point and I yelled at it. At the time I didn't know it was a school bus so maybe I would have thought twice if I had known. In the end though I feel like I'm in the right, don't honk at me school bus, you've got kids!

Near my hotel the only food available was a subway that was inside of a gas station. I'm not too worried about it, I love subway. Quick subway note, they don't have barbeque sauce available all the time. Crazy. Anyway, I go into this subway and am waiting to order when I see this shirtless man gambling on the video poker machines also in the gas station. There was also a child wearing an extra large camouflage shirt running around the station. One guy who clearly was either taking a stance against the no shirt no service policy or had given up his shirt to his kid because he needed to gamble more. Either way, weird.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 4:26.03
Day miles: 60.04
Total miles west: 1292.58
Average speed: 13.5 mph
Max speed: 29.1 mph

Day 49, Deridder LA to Silsbee TX

Another nice day of riding though with very little to report. I did cross another state line which was nice, welcome to Texas. I also ran into another cyclist on the road from Oregon which was fun. Nice guy.

The road was smooth today which is turning out to be the biggest thing for me. It's a good day if it is smooth and a bad day if it's bumpy. Texas roads have been smooth so far so I'm okay with it. Hopefully this keeps going.

Yeah nothing much to say really, the cycling is easy enough that I basically just get on the bike and ride until I'm done. I don't really need breaks anymore and I'm tired at the end of the day, but not exhausted. It isn't tough anymore which is nice at least, I can go faster for longer so I like that. That said though, still love a tailwind. I was a rocketship today though even with a headwind. Power legs.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 4:57.47
Day miles: 75.81
Total miles west: 1232.48
Average speed: 15.2
Max speed: 24.4

Day 48, Alexandria LA to Deridder LA

Today is what it's all about about. I don't know what "it" is but today had it. I actually have a pretty good idea what it is: smooth roads, low traffic, serene riding. If I was Stella I'd be rocking my groove again. Great day of riding through the Kisatchie national Forest. Just gorgeous really, finally saw some fall colors which was great. And almost every mile was on brand new smooth road. Best day ever, more of these please.

The one awkward thing about today was that there were a lot of signs talking about unexploded ordinances and that I was right near a bombing range.... I'm still alive so I guess they weren't bombing but still a little concerning. Perhaps the road is so smooth because it was recently bombed?

Also a town name of Deridder is great but they are missing an opportunity in trying to keep their highways clean. They have signs saying "keep Deridder clean" instead of saying "let's get Deridder of the trash on the highway". Step up your game Deridder. Step it up.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 5:04.41
Day miles: 72.31
Total miles west: 1156.76
Average speed: 14.2 mph
Max speed: 27.5 mph

Day 47, Bunkie LA to Alexandria LA

Well I had a nice sleep on the fire department couch, unusually nice sleep actually. Zonked out. Woke up and changed out my tire and was ready to go. With no spare though i was nervous about the road ahead. I Decided that it would be a good idea to go to Alexandria where there is a bike shop and buy a spare tube. Didn't realize how good of an idea it was because I almost immediately got a flat leaving Bunkie. Turns out I had a bunch of glass and metal ripping through my tire. The bike shop set me up with a new tube, some tire armor and even realigned my brakes. Overall, I'm confident about moving forward with flats but I still bought another tube.

It was a super short day and I found myself cycling by the pie capital of Louisiana. Naturally, I had to stop in for a slice. Since I'm also in pecan country (who knew? But there are an unusual amount of pecans around here actually...) I ordered a slice of pecan pie. Not a bad slice of pie I must say, did me right. Felt good eating pie.

The sun was shining and my place was slow so it was a good day. I even went through and planned the remainder of the trip. San Diego on the 18th is the plan right now, destined to change I'm sure. It feels good to have a plan though, the end game is in sight.

BBQ: Eddie's smokehouse in Alexandria.
Been some time since I had barbeque and this one was pretty solid. Got sausage and ribs which surprised me when I ordered it. Turns out it was mighty tasty, juicy tender ribs and some nice sausage. I also ordered Mac as a side which was confusing... I might have forgotten how to eat barbeque. I hope this is just a phase.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 3:31.24
Day miles: 37.18
Total miles west: 1084.42
Average speed: 10.5 mph
Max speed: 21.4 mph

Day 46, New Roads LA to Bunkie LA

I might have list my temper more than once today. I yelled at people, at myself but mostly at the road. Smooth your roads Louisiana! Smooth. Your. Roads. Smooth! Terrible.

All is more or less well but today wasn't the day that yesterday was, today was poor overall. It was supposed to be a short day so I was slow in the morning and started late. Let's felt good and I thought today was going to be great. Right out of the gate I took a wrong turn and added ten miles to the trip. Then the road was bumpy and the wind was blasting in my face. Right in my face. Then I took another wrong turn and added about fifteen miles to the trip. My short about sixty mile day quickly became just under ninety. Then it started getting dark and I had to ride about ten miles in the dark. Then, two miles out of town, the slow leak in my tube I had gotten thirty miles ago blew. It was a full on flat now, not going anywhere with it. I didn't want to change a tire in the dark so I decided to just walk into town. Thankfully a nice lady pulled over and drove me in and thank God because it would have taken a long time to walk in. Now I'm chilling in the local fire department on their couch which will be a nice place to sleep. Tomorrow I'll change the tire and might detour up the road to find a bike shop. I just don't feel comfortable without a backup tube, especially since this tube of mine that burst can't be patched. Big burst.

So it wasn't a great day today and to top it off I'm missing the football game because nobody gets NFL network down here. I'm not sure why we get so much NFL network in Canada but in America nobody has it. Bring me football America, it's what I crave.

Tomorrow will be better, it has to be.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 6:27.26
Day miles: 86.30
Total miles west: 1047.23
Average speed: 13.3
Max speed: 30.2

Day 45, Baton Rouge LA to New Roads LA

Pretty basic day of riding, not much to report. It was a short day and mostly along the highway. It was a bit rainy today, not much more than a drizzle but enough to convince me to end it short.

I did go to a grocery store and was definitely shopping hungry. Bread, cheese, milk, yogurt, fruit all these things that you don't get at a gas station. Basically just ate all day after checking into a hotel. Luxury.

The big thing about today though was that I've officially altered my plan and am throwing in the towel. I'm just losing a bit of my mustard and don't think I have the time or the energy to conquer the desert and mountains. I dreamed big but will fall short of my 5000 mile goal.

The new plan is that I'll be going to Austin to check it out then blast down to San Antonio to visit cousin. From there I'll hop a train to somewhere outside of San Diego and just ride the huge downhill into town to see sister. From there grab a flight home near the end of the month. I feel good about it, should be more like 3000 miles which is probably more my speed. Whatever the case I feel good about this new plan, I'm excited to have the finish line move much closer.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 3:38.06
Day miles: 45.34
Total miles west: 960.93
Average speed: 12.4 mph
Max speed: 26.6 mph

Day 44, new Orleans to baton rouge LA

Business riding. I had talked to a guy named Mark Martin, who I am currently staying with in Baton Rouge, about routes into town. He mentioned I should stay off the highway and ride along the river instead to avoid some bad conditions. I googled it and what looked like a similar route was 100 miles so I thought it was possible in a day, long day but possible.

Set off a little late and a little hungry which was a bad omen. The terrible new Orleans streets were the other bad omen. Getting lost on these streets was another bad omen. Having trouble finding my breakfast restaurant was another bad omen. Construction on the levy bike path was the last straw. No more straws.

Needless to say I was not in the greatest of moods until I ran into Bert and Holly along the road. They were in their last day of a 2.5 month 2200 mile trip. Very nice people, have me a sticker and just told me not to worry about things. The sticker says, "make art, be happy". True words and cured me almost immediately, felt like I was riding lighter after that one.

The ride was nice after that, a big tail wind along a lightly used road. Huge industrial area, saw loads of coal and refineries and construction materials. Crazy. It got crazier when people were left off their shift and just blasting it home. Also it gets dark early now so I was riding in the dark for a little bit. Not great but not bad, wide shoulder.

As mentioned, staying with Mark and talked about geology a little bit which was nice. Good guy who has set me up with a bed and everything. Awesome. He also has a sweet beard.

Trip stats
Hours riding: 8:29.04
Day miles: 119.43
Total miles west: 915.57
Average speed: 14.0 mph
Max speed: 28.5 mph

Day 41-43 rest days in new Orleans

Love new Orleans. I'm not going to go into too much detail because read a travel blog if you want to know more about new Orleans. Basically I did everything that I wanted to do though:
-took in some live jazz music
-hit bourbon street
-voodoo shop
-wandered around, soaked it in
-ate very nice meal with nice drinks
-ate alligator

I feel like other things happened also but I'll forever remember pizza cone and "REV YOUR MOTOR BRO!"

Seriously though, Rev your motor life right? Put that on a shirt and smoke it... Smoke it with hickory then eat it. REV IT!

No miles, bike on lock down.