Day 24: Austin, Texas

Elevation gained: 1740 ft/Miles: 57/Total Miles: 1,157/Total Fast Food: 13

It’s amazing what 10 hours of sleep and a windless, sunny, 70 degree day will do for one’s disposition. The ride in from Giddings today was uneventful. Rolling through Page, Butler and Elgin there were carpets of wildflowers – Bluebonnets, Texas Paintbrush and Square-Bud Primrose – on south facing hillsides energized by the sun. Raptors were everywhere. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many in one day. Diving across the roadway were a large number of Red-tailed, Red-shouldered and Swainson’s hawks and others I couldn’t identify. In one area, I counted 17 Black vultures around the base of a large oak. They looked up as I rode by, but thankfully didn’t follow.

As I passed Elgin and moved closer to Austin, the landscape changed. I started to see the occasional oil derrick in the middle of a cattle grazing area. The number of commercial establishments increased as it does when you approach any urban center. Fast food restaurants, gas stations, automotive repair shops, tractor sales lots, and junk yards became more frequent. But, I didn’t care because it meant that I was finally in Austin.

When I planned the first part of this ride, I set as a goal to reach Austin by March 25th. My daughter’s swim team has a competition here on that date (Go Big Red!). As a consequence, W.C.C. will be moving her base of operations here for the meet. I can’t wait to see my two favorite girls. I’m also looking forward to exploring Austin, a city recommended to me by many. I’ve already mapped out a week’s worth of things I want to see in the next two days.

Tomorrow, I plan to start the day by paying homage to the Patron Saint of All Things Velo. He has a bike shop in Austin and I will be bringing in my rig in for new brakes, chain and to get the wheels trued.

I wonder if I can remember how to walk.