Bike Ride to Wichita Falls

Decatur to Wichita Falls: 82.6 miles

Total Mileage: 1685.4

One ticket for the struggle bus please!!!

This morning we headed out on some country roads which were a nice change from the busy highways we had been on the previous few days. As we were rounding one corner we realized that the road was shut down to one lane and there was a light which would get us up the hill. Unfortunately we did not weigh enough despite the hothot breakfast of eggs, biscuits, sausage and gravy, and had to wait for a truck to trigger the lit. Originally we were just going to chance it, but when we saw a huge semi coming down the other way we decided to hang back.

Half way up the hill, Jessie realized that she had a flat tire. When we got to the top she promptly changed it and when they were going to pump it up, the tube blew up so we had to start again. The second tire went fine, but when we went to put the pump on the valve snapped in two. Thankfully the third time was the charm and th one was our winner. What shocked all of us was that three different cars pulled over to see if we needed any help, one even offered to drive us to a local bike shop if we did not have the right parts.

Just after lunch Jessie got a couple more flats which meant that it was the for our post lunch nap because sadly we did not get one. Sadly there was no shade anywhere to be seen and we had to lay there and bake.

But at this point, we can pretty much sleep anywhere and in any position.

It did give us some time to check out the scenery. As I have been biking through Texas these past few days I have been amazed at how green everything it. Granted we are still in East Texas and summer has not really begun (don't talk to the northeners who are melting).

A few miles after the final flat was fixed the group started to book it. Sadly my legs were getting pretty tired thanks to the rolling hills and my back started to go, so I hopped on a slower group we saw up ahead who was jolding the right speed. Definitely a good life decision.

We did get caught in a pretty wicked thunderstorm. When the lightening started to hit we booked it a few miles up the road, into a headwind of course, to take cover under an over pass. The storm was a good one and as we were biking to shelter not only could we see the rain in the distance, we could see the wind moving I across the horizon. It is hard to explain, but let me tell you, very cool!! This picture definitely does not do it justice.

 

A couple of us were trying to ride in early to get to the bike shop (I was having issues with my breaks), but unfortunately due to the flats and weather delay we arrived about an hour before we had to head out for dinner. It was totally worth it to skip the shop because dinner tonight was sponsored by the Hotter'N Hell Century Ride and Fuzzy's Taco Shop which was also great!

A couple of people on the team were extremely tired and after they got some food in their systems passed out.