It was chilly again today, and that means it was mighty fine for riding.
The lightly-trafficked ranch roads between Johnson City and Austin, though full of rollers—some very steep—were spectacular.
I passed what appeared to be another hunting preserve, this one featuring a large herd of deer-like creatures.
On the outskirts of Johnson City, a couple of dogs charged out of a driveway to pursue me. There was no way they could possibly catch me at the speed I was going. But on they came, and a truck approaching rapidly from behind swerved to avoid them. I didn’t hear the telltale clunk, so I am hoping the dogs escaped injury.
The landscape got greener as I approached Austin. Obviously they have been getting a lot more rain here than in the western part of the state.
As I was passing the Omni Barton Creek Resort, a PGA tournament was in progress. I stopped to watch several of the tour’s heavy hitters—Casey Pyne, Michael Block, and Ryan Vermeer—hit monster drives from the tee below me.
I checked my bike into the Austin REI store on Lamar Street. It’s getting pampered with new tires and a new chain. Rachel, who checked the bike in, said she previously worked at the DC REI.
Turns out she knew Matt Liddle, who ran the REI Outdoor School from 2011-2016, when I was a part-time rock-climbing instructor for the program.
Tonight I met Marisol at the hotel. She flew in this evening. We’ll be doing the turista thing for the next week, birding and sightseeing. I am very much looking forward to the break. I’ll be back on the bike on April 27.
DM: 59; TM: 1,671.3 miles; 3,574 ft climbing; 7:04 hrs rdg; 8.3 mph avg.
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| Hunting preserve |
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| Odd ranch house design |
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| Barton Creek PGA tournament |
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| Austin |
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| Marisol arrives at the hotel |
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