Blanco to Bastrop, Texas

Today's ride really reminded me of the hilly roads in Vermont, though the growth and landscape was different. We didn't have much of a shoulder to ride on and many or the drivers did not appreciate that we were on the road. It was windy again for most of the day. We had 92.7 mile scheduled but the cue sheet was a little off so it was more like 90 miles. We knew we had to keep moving along if we were to get the ride in. Every twenty miles or so we'd check in to see how we were feeling and then would go on a bit more. At about mile 60 I knew I needed to get out of the wind for a few minutes and get in something more substantial than nuts and granola bars.

After a quick burger and some ice water we were on our way again. Our chef told us that near the end it gets flatter but all we kept seeing and climbing were more hills. Now they weren't that hard, but they did require a climb and more energy. One of the cutest things I saw today was a baby Shetland pony that was all beige, almost white. There were more tiny purple lupines out and some other spring wildflowers. We are in Ladybird Johnson territory. Their ranch was about 50 miles away. Someone on the tour took a day off with her husband to go take a look at it.

We got in at about 4:30 and did 90 miles. I thought all day long if I felt strong enough at the end of the day, perhaps I would ride around 10 more miles to make my century ride. As we were on a busy one way street, I spent about and hour or so riding around the parking lot of Walmart, through McDonald's and by Blockbusters in a way that avoided traffic. There was still wind so I had to still battle that, but hey, I did my first 100 mile century ride. Many gals in the parking lot cheered me in and shared in my success. I got the extra credit award and another round of applause at dinner tonight. YEAH ME! Another first!
Tired so will close for now,
Robin