We had breakfast at the Whataburger in La Grange.  While we were getting the bike ready for the day the young manager came out and talked to us about the ride and gave me donation.  That was very generous.

I felt a lot better today.  The weather started out warm with a light rain and a light wind.  The day started out by riding on the wide shoulder along the 4 lane highway # 71 from La Grande to Smithville.  There was a lot of traffic but since the shoulder was wide and a great rumble strip I felt safe.

Then I moved to back highways with no shoulders or rumble strips.  Again I felt good because the traffic was very light.  

All was going well until about 25 miles outside of Austin when the ride ended for the day.  My front tire went flat very fast.  On top of that the clouds opened up with a heavy rain.  I knew I had hit something big, which I later found out was a piece of metal.

I gave the greatest sag wagon driver around ( Kye Sook) a call to come get me.  We loaded my bike on my car and headed to the bike shop in downtown Austin.  There I got a new tire and tube so I hope that will allow me to make another full day of riding tomorrow.

I paid for yesterday’s ride. I was extremely tired and sour.  Even though this was to be a short day at 47 miles I ended up only make 30 miles.  Part of the reason was being tired and the second was the route I had chosen was not safe and or that very heavy traffic.

I hate to say I might be getting old but I would rather like to blame it on the poor training plan.

The day started out cold. It was 48 degrees when I rolled out to start the ride. We were surprised how many people were shocked that we were starting the adventure from our own drive way.

I took off at 7:30 a.m. with a full sleeved shirt under my jersey and full leg warming leggings.  I also had on my rain jacket and not because it was raining but for warmth.  I kept all these clothes on all day.

Not only was the day cold but there was a strong wind out of the north and of course most of the day was either into the north or northwest.

It didn’t take me long to determine I had not trained enough.  Oh well I will just have to ride myself into shape. I has one major pass to climb but it wasn’t a mountain pass just an overpass and it was not major.

Kye was amazing right off the start.  She passed me about 8 miles out of the first rest stop.  Then she basically led me all day.  She would stop and wait for me at each major corner and had plenty of supplies to feed me and keep me hydrated.  I am truly blessed to have Kye there all the way.

Once we got to camp at the Stephen F Austin State Park the wind died down and it started to warm up.  As I am writing this the temperature is 68 degrees and wind has completely died, I hope this holds.   

The park is under major repair so there wasn’t a shower and only port-a-potties  for our use. At least these were fairly close to our campsite, but not to close.

During the night we heard a lot of coyotes signing and that woke us up.