It’s been a great week in Austin. We rode 7 consecutive days, just shy of 400 miles including our first century of the season. We experienced tiny country roads with low bridges subject to flooding, and many massive highways. We spent more time on 6-lane roads than ever before. The drivers and the people have all been very friendly. We have a fuller understanding of the expression “southern hospitality”. Folks offered to help us find our way; gave us water; visited with us; and gave us space on the roads. For that we are thankful.
It’s been sunny, warm and windy all week with two brief but intense lightening storms. The winds do appear to be pretty omnipresent and INTENSE Our hotel location in the Arboretum area turned out to be perfect for us. We were close to good bike routes, REI and two natural foods stores as well as several suitable restaurants. There was often the fragrance of Star Jasmine wafting in the air as we rode through the neighborhoods to get to downtown where we visited Mellow Johnny’s and the Willie Nelson statue unveiling. The Frost Bank Tower’s distinctive architecture adds to the famous “Austin Weirdness”.
Each day has its own story and photos:
Special thanks to Joe Cahill and Andi Snow-Weaver from TXCATS – Texas Capital Area Tandem Society. They were very welcoming and helpful in developing our routes. We wish we could’ve been here next weekend for their tandem rally, but alas, Spencer must return to teaching on Monday. Our week drew to a close today with a short City Park loop. It was 35 miles with 1948 feet of elevation gain! There were 4 Cat5 climbs, several over 15% and one at 19%! Spencer has already packed the bike for our 4 am airport shuttle tomorrow. Pictured to the right…Krispy Kremes…the perfect end to the perfect week and payback for all of today’s hills!
Sheila & Spencer,
Glad you had a good week in Austin. Sorry we didn’t get to meet in person and sorry you can’t be here for the rally. Let me know when you leave on your cross-country trek. I’d like to follow your adventures.
Andi…The best thing would be to subscribe. There won’t be many posts between now and then. We leave mid-June and anticipate blogging nearly daily, wifi permitting once on the tour. Thanks again. An AMAZING ride today. I just edited the post above to include what we did today…. the City Park Loop was 35 miles with nearly 2000 feet of elevation gain. Dang that Garmin “misery meter”! Couldn’t believe how steep they were, 15-19% grades!
There’s lots of simply paving straight up the hillsides here, not too much interest in switchbacks.
But Sheila, what is the grade coming up James Way from downtown? Or do you find other roads rather than that one? It has always been crammed when we’ve driven it.
We’ve never taken the tandem up James, but Spencer’s inner inclinometer says James is probably 8%. He doesn’t stand on his single to go up it.
Lovely to get a chance to visit with you, Sue, and Andi tonight. Hope we see you again sometime.
You guys rock. Such an inspiration. Personally, I like to relax by a pool with a margarita when I am on vacation, but to each his own.