Tuesday, October 19, 2010

B & B BASTROP & BUDA





On Tuesday 10-19-10, we left Bastrop at 8:30 on Hwy 71/21 that took us to FR20, a narrow, hilly, ribbon of pavement that was prowled by big trucks. At mile 10 we stopped at a roadside store where we met Mike who was wearing a Texas longhorn ballcap. Mike likes maps and knew the roads in this area very well. He suggested we take FR812 to Hwy 21. 812 was great-quiet, smooth, and truck free. It passed mostly scrub land with small modest homesteads. Some had a few head of cattle, others had chickens. while a few had a collection of appliances and old cars that stopped working years ago. On Hwy 21 we encountered high speed traffic with about every 3rd vehicle being a big truck. However, we enjoyed a wide clean shoulder until we crossed the Caldwell/Hays county line. When you creep up a long curvy steep hill loaded with 40+ pounds, your bike can sometimes wobble a bit. On one of the hills, there was NO wobble room. So we pushed our bikes to the top using them as shields between us and a steady stream of trucks. We have concluded Texas surely has more trucks than Baptists and that is alot of trucks! While on 21, we saw a multitude of sunflowers and patches of prickly pear. We also saw a scissor-tail flycatcher which is one of our favorite birds. The big blue Texas sky was almost hidden by large white clouds that gave us some shelter from the afternoon sun, but were no doubt, somewhat responsible for our headwind. While taking a 10 minute break before heading into Buda, a nice guy pulled up and gave us 2 "country" pears. The kindness of the people we meet in this state is encouraging.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

It seems you can't get away from those big trucks in any part of the country. I know when you biked the northern route, the logging trucks were crazy!!

rmedwards9 said...

I can't imagine riding up a hill with 40 pounds of equipment! I'm glad you had a relaxing ride for the most part, except for the trucks. You gotta keep an eye out for those trucks and Baptists! ;)

Vicki H said...

Hi Norb and Anne, Orange Team has walked about 1,000 miles, with our top walker for this week Steve Edwards walking/running 40 miles. Your pictures are wonderful! Makes me want to follow your route some day. Stay safe

Joe and Georgia said...

Hi Ann & Norb,
We had to get out the atlas to see just where in the big state you are. Found it close to Austin. I imagine the western part of the trip will be really different from the eastern. Enjoying the blog, Joe & Georgia

The Hatriolic said...

Did someone let y'all know that Roger Grooters was stuck and killed on his bike shortly after y'all met him? He was on a charity ride from West to East, and y'all met up around Dauphin Isl first week of Oct. I believe he was killed in Bay County, FL. Website at http://www.lsu.edu/ur/ocur/lsunews/MediaCenter/News/2010/10/item20011.html . He posted a picture of y'all on his blog. Please remember his family in your prayers and be careful.

Norb & Ann said...

Yes, big trucks help our economy function, but couldn't we save a few roads for polite drivers, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians only? Vicki, great news from the orange team. Way to recruit that racehorse brother of yours. Joe & Georgia, we keep trying to figure a way around west Texas, but so far no luck. We made a donation to Roger's cause and sent his family a heartfelt message.

ginnyross said...

Ann and Norb,
Your blog is fantastic -- the pictures tell a story all by themselves and your written comments are engaging and educational! love it! So glad you decided for a car --best to stay safe and hydrated! Ann, the friendraiser to going gangbusters! Thanks for your hard work. I did very little and had great success so plan to work harder next year.
Love,
Ginny

Unknown said...

Still thinking about you trucking along in your journey! We appreciate you very much and it means a lot to our families! Thanks Norb and Ann! :)

-Tricia