Leaving Austin we were aware we were heading over the west Texas hills before we left our motel. Nearly everyone we met told us with a smile. We even received an occasional chuckle – poor bloody cyclists they should get a truck!

Now through meticulous planning we actually know the total ascent and descent each day. We have GPS, topographic maps and detailed route plans for every day so we know about the hills of west Texas but that doesn’t make them any easier.

Our recumbent tandem is a marvellous way to pedal together on long tours. Being together allows Susan to give me advice from the rear seat. How useful is that!

Regularly people remark that it looks laid back easy and they must get one. Some obviously think I’m lying back on my ‘lazy boy’ chair and only missing a cold beer and a television strapped to my handlebars! Others don’t even notice Susan’s pedals and think she’s just sunning herself! Then we have the regular comment from guys as we pass ‘she’s not pedalling mate‘. ‘Oh I know, doin’ her nails‘ I shout back. Honestly, that bit of male banter, time and time again, is worth a ten minute Susan huff 😀

In reality, the tandem takes a lot of pedalling when it’s heavily laden with our gear and all the bottles of Susan’s different coloured nail polish! 😀 Add a slope or any sort of hill and the speed drops dramatically and the effort increases reciprocally. It’s not the best bike on the hills and we should know by now – we’ve certainly been over a few!

We don’t have the trailer this year though we are loaded with two additional side pod bags to carry those unavoidable items of gear that were formally in the trailer. We have a lightweight tent but absolutely no other camping gear and the reduction of the trailer weight and drag has been a significant change for the better. Climbing hills is still slow but the effort is greatly reduced.

Here’s a reminder picture of our bike set up as we cross the Texan hills. Please don’t mistake Susan’s smiling face as meaning the hills are easy – she’s eating a cake and she always smiles when she has cake!

Back to the journey. We left Austin on quiet routes without traffic. Sweet.

Then this happened.

We actually went through this junction as I thought we could be quick enough to cycle to the slightly clearer skies beyond. Ever the optimist! Within a mile we had turned around to head for a local fire station we had passed – it was the only shelter for miles and miles around!

So for the next 90 minutes we rested whilst the thunder was frightening, the lightning shot across the skies and the rain came down like the plug had been pulled. Texas thunderstorms – everything’s bigger in Texas!

At least we were dry – result! Well, we were until we reached a ford.

Now I would like to have given you a picture of myself pushing the bike through the water but the tandem is a mighty beast and the last time I pushed it through a bit of a stream in Australia the current caught the back wheel and everything moved sideways. So I needed Susan to help and so you are, unfortunately, not getting a picture of me sliding into the water! I know that’s just what you want but, come on, let’s be a bit responsible here!

So only our feet got wet. No big deal really apart from the fact that it actually takes two days for the shoes and socks to dry out. Susan overreacts and when we arrive at our motel she puts my shoes in a drawer because of the damp shoe smell. You see what I’ve got to put up with?

After 47 miles and 2800 feet ascent we arrived in Johnson City. Now before I leave this short story of our cycle I’ve got to show you a picture of Johnson City jailhouse. This is the kind of jailhouse you would see in a western movie. It’s where bad guys should reside in the Wild West.

Now I know you’re now saying – where’s the interesting historical facts? Tell me some history, tell me a story. Okay then, here it is – a picture is worth 94 words!

Oh and you read it right – they still keep the bad guys here! So when you’re in Texas be good!

Bye y’all.

• Uncategorized