Day Twenty Statistics:

  • Elapsed Time (ET): 8:00:00
  • Distance (DST): 63.7 Miles
  • Average Speed (AVG): 9.8 MPH
  • Riding Time (RT): 6:30:29
  • Maximum Speed (MAX): 17.7 MPH
  • Odometer (ODO): 23,831.3 Miles
  • Temperature (Fahrenheit): 79-90
  • Wind Direction and Speed: South 10-35

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    Route: US 59, TX 185, TX 35

     

    Cities Traveled Through: Bloomington, Tivoli, Fulton, Rockport

    Motel: Holiday Lodge Motel ($35.86)

    Comments: Unfortunately, today was not the best of days. I woke up later than I wanted at 6:30, so I didn't even get on the road until almost 7. The Weather Channel was forecasting winds against me around 30 MPH, so I was really upset that I slept in. The morning hours are so valuable since the winds are generally less, especially right before sunrise. I got going and found my way out of Victoria okay. I got on 185 which took me to 35 for the rest of my ride. All the way on 185 the winds were really strong against me. I struggled to make 10 MPH. To make things worse, my right contact lens decided to act up, so whenever I opened that eye, it would start stinging. A few times it started watering as well. If you have contacts, you know probably know what I went through. Once I got to 35, the winds seemed to be a little better, but were still against me. I was able to go 11 or 12 MPH for a little bit when the winds really kicked in and lowered my speed to around 7 or 8 MPH for a good duration of the trip. I knew that I was going to have to quit before I got too much distance in. The temperature was rising and the likelihood of me reaching any location with a hotel beyond a certain point before dark was uncertain. The winds were especially bad as I went over Copano Bay. I don't know what it is with bridges and shoulders on the road. Whenever I go over most bridges, the shoulder gets so much smaller. It was especially dangerous over this bridge since the strong winds made it hard to control the bike to go in a straight line. Luckily, the traffic wasn't too terrible, although it was a bit more than I would like. Once I reached Rockport, I went to the Wal-Mart and got some more clothes and some contact lens solution and tablets. Tomorrow I may have to quit early again since there is a stretch of road about 60 miles which looks like there's not much there. It wouldn't be good to get stranded there! It also sounds like the winds will be unfavorable again tomorrow. On the plus side, I took a bit more pictures today!

    Photos

     

     

    Copano Bay Bridge

     

     

    Before Rockport, TX- If you look carefully you can notice the wind by the flag!

     

     

    Near Rockport, TX

     

     

     

     

    Rockport, TX

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