My first tour starts tomorrow, Help me make it through the first stroke

[BHCgreene]

Hahahahaha picture saved!

[SpeedyD]

Going up the East bound side of the largest bridge in the South just after Bridge City, TX.

Why are you going the wrong way?

[woodrowstar]

Why are you going the wrong way?

The bridge on the right is the original "tallest" in the South. It is a skinny bridge with only 2 lanes, no shoulder. The wrong side bridge we were going up is new and has the minimal 5 foot shoulders required for all new roads in the USA. This has been the case over many bridges we have crossed. There was a bridge just before Blountstown, FL that had the bike lane on the opposite side newly constructed. We were told of the bridge safety by a woman who was in Mcdonald's from the area.

[DT EXP]

did you figure out if you're heading to San Antonio or not?

[SpeedyD]

The bridge on the right is the original "tallest" in the South. It is a skinny bridge with only 2 lanes, no shoulder. The wrong side bridge we were going up is new and has the minimal 5 foot shoulders required for all new roads in the USA. This has been the case over many bridges we have crossed. There was a bridge just before Blountstown, FL that had the bike lane on the opposite side newly constructed. We were told of the bridge safety by a woman who was in Mcdonald's from the area.

Ahh, interesting. Good luck man!

[woodrowstar]

Woke up to this. Had no idea what was around when i went to sleep on the picnic table. Sleeping bag only. it was so nice.

[woodrowstar]

We made it into Austin finally at 10am. The wind for the last 2 day has been monstrous. We had a great meet up with Brent yesterday and found out this morning my Austin location for a library was right across from his couchsurfer host house. Go figure.... instead of inviting Polo and I over he D-bags by splitting without saying nada. Karma gonna get him soon enough.

It is funny meeting other touring cyclist out here and some of them are so selfish. I have given numerous time and my own supplies to help these folks out. At the end of the day I look at my gear and wonder what was I thinking. One particular thing which stands out is my bicycle being 30+ years old compared to most of these guys riding on just bought rigs. My Trek420 makes all kinds of noise and keep trucking.

The weather in Austin is overcast and drizzling off and on. I'm sitting in a library. Polo is outside with the hang around gang. We are next to the George Washington Carver Museum. Oh, lots of Fixxed Gear riders out here.

[TXR32]

Glad you made it to Austin! I think you'll find our city is pretty cycle friendly.....or at least we're getting there with all the nice designated bike lanes (drivers are another story!!!).

We would love to have you over this weekend for the GTG i'm trying to plan with the rest of the .:512 crew ( fancy way of saying Volkswagen and Audi folks ). I hope the weather cooperates so we can have the fire pit going. If so it will be a good time and folks i'm sure will be intrigued to meet you along your journey.

As I mentioned in our Austin GTG's thread. I'm working on my aggressive Catahoula (dog) as she loves people but not so much with other dogs so I will let you know what we can do

[woodrowstar]

I'm known as the dog whisper. I bring many dogs together. It is another part of the trip I do not talk about- Polo and I stop at many Vets and Boarding places. I already ran into a puppy mill a ways back in AL. I think the owner got my point, and I found out the locals are already watching the place.

[skydaman]

I agree Polo is the most well behaved pup I've ever seen!

Congrats on Austin!

[climbingcue]

Love the pictures and updates from your adventure.... Look forward to the next updates....

Bill

[woodrowstar]

Love the pictures and updates from your adventure.... Look forward to the next updates....

Bill

Welp... here ya go

Today's interesting bit of happenings:

*Weather has turned nuts

*Library closed on Thursday on the West side of Austin

*Southern hospitality only comes from people who are not from the South but live here now.

*Austin is easy to bike, once you figure out the bicycle signs.

*SxSW started today (that is cray)

*Austin has a great VW salvage yard

*Mellow Johnny's is owned by Lance Armstrong, and his personal bikes are hanging everywhere- including one with wooded wheels. http://www.mellowjohnnys.com/

*Kyle's roommate Charlie gets a huge thank you... he fixed something that i did not realized until I went through the gears going up hill.

*I keep running into Brent

*I wish i had a mountain bike.

Wooden wheeled bike

[Steveo989]

I've enjoyed looking at this thread from time to time. You've sparked that curiousity and I want to research this summer and find a fun tour to do once I graduate, or maybe during summer vacation next year.

Keep up the awesome work! IIRC, you weren't going through the midwest, but if you ever are touring and need to crash in Minnesota hit me up!

EDIT, well I looked again and it said all of the US. If you need to crash in Minneapolis my phone is 763-657-six7seven7. My name is Steve, if it isn't obvious by my profile.

[woodrowstar]

but if you ever are touring and need to crash in Minnesota hit me up!

EDIT, well I looked again and it said all of the US..

Roger that. All have to do is get on the bike and start peddling. Yes, it is hard - your body will get use to it. The $$ part will stay an issue. Do not let it stress you out.

...........The hardest part - getting off the bike and finding a place to sleep.

[Steveo989]

I am sure it is pretty rough at first, I've done a few century rides, but I cannot imagine doing them back to back for as long as a week or whatever. I've been looking at a few other touring sites, and was curious if you have a paypal setup for hospitality? There's always **** that pops up that wasn't budgeted for and if we can help you with your journey it would be awesome. I cannot imagine trying to budget 6-12 months out! Be sure to let us 'texers know if you need any assitance wheter monetary, a bite to eat, or a roof over your head.

I've been in the market for a commuter for awhile now, but rather than going with a recreational touring city bike, I am thinking about pulling the trigger on a 2012 Trek 520, adding fenders for all-weather commuting, and then I don't have to buy another bike in the future if/when I plan to do my tour. I'd probably get new wheels since I don't know if I would trust the hubs from wintery salty commuting for thousands of miles.

Checked FB and saw it was raining like crazy. Stay warm and dry dude. Take care

[woodrowstar]

I am sure it is pretty rough at first, I've done a few century rides, but I cannot imagine doing them back to back for as long as a week or whatever.

I am thinking about pulling the trigger on a 2012 Trek 520, adding fenders for all-weather commuting, and then I don't have to buy another bike in the future if/when I plan to do my tour. I'd probably get new wheels since I don't know if I would trust the hubs from wintery salty commuting for thousands of miles.

Checked FB and saw it was raining like crazy. Stay warm and dry dude. Take care

Completing the 100+ everyday is real simple, considering you are on the bike most of the day if you are touring the way I do. Meaning i use the bike to go everywhere. Very little walking. Then there are some places you have no choice but ride or be bored.

...wish I had a new bike. lol. Just make sure you get a bike with wheel with at the least 36 spokes of thick gauge.

Paypal info is in the first post and the info section on Facebook.

[Steveo989]

Lemme know if you got my paypal, should buy polo a nice t-bone or a new tire.
What is your next destination? By the look of things I hope you plan on going to cali then going north along the west coast, should set you up to hit Seattle, WA in the summer which is absolutely gorgeous during that time of year!
They have an awesome curiousity shop with tons of weird **** in it, not to mention the market downtown or whatever where they toss the fish across the market and everything. Such a cool thing if you live in-land and aren't used to that stuff. Seafood is also crazy good in that area.

[woodrowstar]

Lemme know if you got my paypal, should buy polo a nice t-bone or a new tire.

wow, thank you Steve! We are going to be seeing you soon. Pic coming up.

[Steveo989]

wow, thank you Steve! We are going to be seeing you soon. Pic coming up.

Don't mention it man, if I was touring I would appreciate hospitality from others. I just hope karma will follow me if I begin touring myself. Cheers.

[HI SPEED]

Just donated to the cause

Whenever I had the time I didn't have the money. Now that I have the money I don't have the time. Thanks for inspiring me. We are living vicariously through you.

Have a on me

[Steveo989]

Just donated to the cause

Whenever I had the time I didn't have the money. Now that I have the money I don't have the time. Thanks for inspiring me. We are living vicariously through you.

Have a on me

[woodrowstar]

Have a on me

Thank you.

*Pictures from yesterday coming up. We met some bicycle police officers yesterday that had great attitudes. Standby, this MDees has no power outlets, BRB.

[woodrowstar]

These are from yesterday. We did not make it very far on that trail.

[fiatjeepdriver]

What route are you planning to take north to washington?

[woodrowstar]

What route are you planning to take north to washington?

Working it out as of last night. I only mapped to NM. nothing after. suggestions?

[fiatjeepdriver]

I did a tour of the Oregon coast and it is very bike friendly. There are a ton of state parks along the coast, all of which have hiker/biker camps for $4 a night. Depending on when you get to this area crater lake is worth a stop if you have the time. It is one of my favorite rides, I try to do it once a year.

[woodrowstar]

Leaving Austin. heading for fredericksburg, tx. Then Fort Walton ...this is a detour. I wanna see something.

[haenszel]

Miss you wilson. Glad to see it's going OK.

[Quintin@USRT]

unless you wearing 3pairs of pants your legs gettin big son! (no homo)

[haenszel]

unless you wearing 3pairs of pants your legs gettin big son! (no homo)

Thats not him, Q......

[skydaman]

lol

[Quintin@USRT]

Thats not him, Q......

all black people look the same.

[pgringo]

You should totally hit the mcdonald observatory near fort stockton in west Texas!

*edit* Marfa lights? Carlsbad caverns?

[woodrowstar]

You should totally hit the mcdonald observatory near fort stockton in west Texas!

*edit* Marfa lights? Carlsbad caverns?

Awesome. We will be heading up 87. Bad news, Polo's crate finally cracked.... The bike fell for the million time. Weather is about to do the suck. Currently in Fredericksburg, TX. If anyone knows someone out here....PLLEASE tell'em to come save us.

[pgringo]

OMG MAN! is our hero OK?!