Johnson City to Llano

That felt much harder than the stats would suggest.  We did 50 miles and over 2400 feet of climbing, though the original plan had been 56 miles and 1100 feet of climbing. A 'shortcut' had been found which meant we avoided a busy road with no shoulder. 1400 feet of climbing appeared in the first 23/24 miles. Ouch, especially since the farthest I have cycled this year is about 35 miles.

Anyway, this is us leaving Johnson City. Some people were feeling the cold?

We turned onto the quieter road after a few miles and were blessed with sunshine.

Then more clouds.

Once we returned to the main road, we had a lovely smooth shoulder to cycle on but the hills came thick and fast. Into the bargain, we had a constant headwind of about 10 mph, which didn't make me feel any better. 

There wasn't a single cafe between Johnson City and Llano, so we had to use what we had brought with us by the side of the road.

Fancy entrance to a ranch.

Relief is at hand.

Our hotel. Very comfortable and cheap as chips.

As soon as I had showered, I legged it over here but the sign was not entirely accurate, as Steve has Sundays off. 

Local scenery.

For Mick Bartle.

Dinner.

I shouldn't have had the half pound jalapeno sausage as well as the half chicken and the bread.

Meat is selected at the pit outside and put on a plastic tray. Inside it is weighed and customers are charged by the weight.  The piece of white paper is the plate.

Waste not want not.

It's all mine.

I was completely stuffed after that meal.

During the course of the day, I noticed a wobble on my crank and it looks like the bottom bracket is on the way out. Fortunately, we will be in Fredericksburg for two days, so there will be time to have a new one fitted.

That was a tough day for me and highlights my lack of cycling over the winter. It was also our hardest day on paper, so hopefully things will be easier from now on.