Day 26 - Texas Hill County, and Lance Armstrong

This elevation profile gives you an idea of what kind of day we had. Literally, the day was brutal. Not all riders made the entire ride. We left Camp Wood and started our first climb at about mile 5. I don't think any of us were prepared for the steepness and the length. I have a 30 gear combination to choose from and I used all of them today. Once we completed a grueling climb we were able to descend at alarming rates of speed. I was happy the road had guide rails. 

The old timers at the local breakfast diner in Camp Wood told us how dangerous the road to Kerrville was and that Lance Armstrong trained on this road to simulate the climbs through the Alps for the Tour de France. However, we didn't find the road dangerous because there were very few cars traversing it. I've never ridden in the Alps but I want to believe that part of the locals' story. 

We had 5 major climbs and by the end of the 5th climb my thighs were on fire. I was relieved by the last 30 rolling miles that took us alongside the Guadalupe River. There were many large ranches and resorts along this smallish river. We had finally reached civilization. 

Tonight we're staying just outside of Kerrville in a very nice KOA. Tomorrow we ride to Johnson City where I'll finally see my beautiful wife, Cindy. I plan on riding like the wind tomorrow. We have a moderate day of only 75 miles. But like I've said, there really are no easy days on the Southern Tier.  

(For those of you who saw the movie 'Seven Days in Utopia')