Crossing into Texas

It has now been a couple of days since I crossed into Texas and began my detour north.  I already miss the flat lowlands of wester Louisiana.  It seems like these Texas hills just go up and never come down.  I had a sweet little camp spot last night, but as soon as I got out to the road, I realized that camp was at the bottom of a hill.

You see, this violates two of my major biking rules.  First, never take a break at the bottom of a hill because it makes starting back up just way too painful.  I have now amended that and added a second rule, never set up camp at the bottom of a hill because it makes the morning way too painful. 

Another very interesting thing that I have noticed in Texas is the drive through doughnut shack or palace?  Now I first began seeing these in wester Louisiana, but now, well I see them everywhere.  I guess the sweet of the doughnuts balances out with the barbecue and tobacco that I see everywhere else.  It is so interesting how each and every place you visits has its own very unique culture.

I am now resting at my first coffee shop since who know when waiting for my brother to pick me up.  He flew in yesterday to visit our father who lives up in north east Texas.  After he picks me up I am looking forward to a few days of rest.  My body is sore for the first time in the entire trip, which is pretty good considering in 28 days I have had only one day completely off from biking.  I am looking forward to some down time and then adding some gears to the bike! 

The best I can do is a 1x9 setup, but this will give me some much needed lower gearing so that standing up is not a requisite for going up anything with a slight grade.  I have really enjoyed the single speed route, but it is time to make it a bit easier on the body.