From Bastrop we had a short 33 miles into Austin.

Along the way we met Susan and Spencer who are cycling across America from west to east. Yes, that’s not a typo – I’m giving you a picture of two Susans for the price of one. I appreciate you may prefer a picture of two Cliffs but that would just spoil you.

After the meeting of the Susans we reached Austin in good time along relatively good cycling roads.

The following day we enjoyed the sights of Austin. What a great city it is.

We started the morning at Torchy’s with a breakfast taco. That’s what you do in Texas – you eat Mexican food. That’s unless you have a motel breakfast as we do each day. Every motel is the same.

We start with some nice orange water. Then its ‘All Bran’ – it’s kind of like cardboard flakes and served in a cardboard bowl. Once I even ate the bowl and didn’t notice! Honest 😀. Then Susan has toast with cream cheese and jam whilst I have some yellow stuff (may be egg) on top of a light brown disc (may be sausage patty) between two bits of cardboard (shaped like bread, cold and wet until toasted). Now I see why Americans add ketchup to everything – its the only thing that gives breakfast some taste. And what’s this with the patty sausage America? A sausage is sausage shaped! Come on get a grip of your sausages!

Before leaving the breakfast room we wrap up a few stale cakes for the journey and I sneak out four bananas, two of which go in the waistband of my shorts. If you lifted my t shirt it looks like I’m playing cowboys with two bananas as my guns!

So Torchy”s Tacos was a nice change and my breakfast taco was scrambled eggs and potatoes topped with beef brisket, cheese and spicy sauce on a tortilla. Outstanding!

Then we went down South Congress Avenue where all the tourists go. It’s vibrant, hip and cool. I fitted right in of course!

We also visited Allen’s Boots and this is just one of many aisles.

Now I know we all have some cowboy in us so what about this for a sight! Boot heaven.

Above, you will also see a picture of the Texas State Capitol building. The Goddess of Liberty was hoisted to the top of the dome in 1888, making the building 14 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington. You see, everything’s bigger in Texas!

Before I move on from the State capitol building you can also see above a picture of Davy Crockett – he’s the guy in the yellow suit. Well we all know he died at the Alamo fighting the Mexicans and if you don’t know then please read the rest of this blog for the historical information you’re missing in your life.

Did you know that Davy, commonly known as the ‘King of the Wild Frontier’, was actually a politician and elected to the House of Representatives for four years?

He was his own man and had a problem with the president of the day, Andrew Jackson, and his policies including the ‘Indian Removal Act”. This led to Davy, a man of principle, losing the election for a third term and eventually ending up at the Alamo where he died, aged 49. Popular stories after this death focused on his life of adventure and created the larger than life character we know today.

We also visited our eleventh bicycle shop in America. None other than ‘Mellow Johnny’s’ owned by the legendary Lance Armstrong, seven times winner of the Tour de France. Yes, I know there’s been some alleged issues and he may not be a role model but he rides a bike. Nuff said.

Lance has a cool bicycle shop. We were looking for a Texas thorn proof inner tube but, as we have found out, 26” x 2 size isn’t popular in America. So we left without an inner tube and we didn’t meet Lance but I did get new shorter bolts for my shoe cleats. That’s stopped my feet feeling like they’re on fire. Thanks Lance 👍

In Austin we eventually found some fantastic donuts. We’ve been eating Walmart donuts and they’re okay but Voodoo Donuts, Austin are spectacular. This is our donut box and a bottle of bourbon some guy recommended.

The following day Susan and I were to start cycling through Texas hill country and we had donuts and bourbon for dinner. That’s all – just donuts and bourbon.

Not the food of champions before a big day of cycling but if you would rather have pasta you’re taking life too seriously. If you would rather have donuts and bourbon then you’re welcome to join our next cycle!

So that’s Austin – please visit sometime if you’re cool and trendy like me. Its a great city.

I will leave you with the words of Davy Crockett after he lost the election for his third term in U.S. Congress

‘You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas”

Really, I can’t think of a better place to go.

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