Today, we need to make it all the way to Lampasas. We left the hotel and headed north along HWY 281 until we found Shady Grove Road where we took a right. In less then a mile, we turned left onto 963. The day was hot and muggy, but our spirits were high and we were making good time. After a bit, we joined up with the “Old Austin Highway” which we eventually followed into town. We made it! (Well, to Lampasas anyway)

As I mentioned before, the day was quite hot, and we stopped at a local drive in food spot (Storms) for lunch and ice cream – mainly ice cream. Our friends from the area joined us at lunch and listened to (the first telling of) our adventure.

After lunch, we continued out towards their house while they finished some errands in town. Not to long before we would have made the turn onto the gravel road to their house, they passed us and asked us if we wanted a ride. We only thought about it for a moment and then gladly loaded the bike, the gear, and our weary bodies into the truck for the last few miles to their house.

Usually, at the end of a travel log, there is a section that tells many of the specifics of the trip; the miles ridden, routes taken, sights and sounds, ect… But, I am really going by memory here. I don’t know the total miles ridden – the computer broke during the last days of the trip (but I do have a picture of the computer displaying 100.0 miles – it was set to zero at the start). The exact route is lost also; the paper map was lost in one of our moves since then. In fact, the first writing of this entire journey was lost when my web hosting company (at the time) decided to close my account and delete all the content without notice.

Side Note: When my sister in-law heard about our planned ride, she sent me a plastic toy horn for the bike as a gag. So, I proudly mounted it in its rightful place; right up front on the handlebars. Anytime we would find our pace slowing or our spirits sagging, I would reach up and toot the horn. Thanks SIL, you helped us past some difficult spots! By the way, the horn still sits proudly on the handlebars, waiting for the next tour.

What I do remember though, is that the trip was awesome! Yes, we had our fair share of problems (one might even say, more then our fair share), but those problems are now the memories that bring smiles to my son and I whenever the subject of a new bike tour comes up.

Tags: Texas Hill Country

Because we really want to see new country, we decide to start day 5 (of our 4 day tour) from the location we should have ended day 2. My wife again agreed to take us to our starting point. This time, however, we were aiming for more then just a day trip…

We decided to start our ride today from Round Mountain, TX. Mainly because this was easy to get to by car and would put us near the place where we should have been around mid-morning on the third day of our trip. After giving my wife our exact route for today, we unloaded the bike and the gear and started out east on FM 692.

In less then a mile, we turned north on CR 305 and followed it until it intersected HWY 281. 281 is the route we take when driving, but it is not a good bike route. It’s heavy traffic and high speeds make it a bit unnerving for all but the most hardened road warrior. With that in mind, we again turned east; this time on Flat Rock Road. We followed Flat Rock Road until it ended at a “T” intersection with CR-401. Turning left on CR-401 we again road until we intersected HWY 281.

Back on 281. This time we don’t have much of a choice, about a mile ahead, 281 is the only crossing for the Colorado river. So, we stick to the shoulder (thankfully, it’s quite wide here) until we begin the fast decent into the town of Marble Falls and across the Colorado river. As we descended, we opted to take a lane and move as fast as possible until we are across the bridge and into town. Over the last few days, my tandem handling skills have improved and my son has come to trust me quite a bit (…I think). But, crossing the bridge with its (very) low wall and 60 foot drop to the river below was an unexpected test of nerves.

Once safely across, we made a quick stop to get our bearings before starting out again. It was on this stop, that my son also mentioned that his seat on the bike “felt weird”. Sure enough, one of the clamps had failed and the seat base was loose enough to move around a bit. A loose seat combined with no handlebars in the rear cockpit (his choice) must have made the ride over the bridge even more interesting. So, after a short talk on how important it is to speak up when things don’t feel right, we continued on our way. Within a mile, we found both the road out of town, and a set of clamps to fix the seat.

Northeast again, this time on CR-340. We followed CR-340 for several miles as it meanders first northeast then northwest until it meets back up with HWY 281 in the town of Burnet. By the way, the name of the town (Burnet) is pronounced like “Burn it”. We learned this when we asked a local how far we were from “Bur net”. His response, “It’s Burn it, can’t ya learn it?”

Woo Hoo! We made it to our destination without a major detour, injury, or mechanical breakdown. Perhaps luck is going our way! As planned, we stayed the night in the hotel in Burnet. After several days (off and on) of 80+ temps, we were ready to enjoy the pool at the hotel. After getting settled in to the room, we put on our suits and headed to the pool. Closed for the season! Eighty degree days for the last month and it’s not “the season” yet?

Note to self. When calling ahead, don’t just ask if they have a pool (I did), ask if it is open! (I didn’t and it wasn’t).

Around dinner time, we called my wife to let her know we were 1) Safe and sound 2) Where we were supposed to be and 3) we didn’t need to be rescued. (for once, I think she was impressed!) However, she had some news for us also. We were invited to a (rather sudden) family event and tomorrow would be our last day of riding no matter what. We had to make it there by tomorrow evening either by bike or by car. The pressure was on…

Tags: Texas Hill Country

In the morning, we again prevailed upon my loving bride to be our driver and make the trip back to Canyon Lake. Thank goodness she is such a good sport! We arrived early, well fed, and rested; ready to take on the day ahead!

From Canyon Lake, we again cross FM-32 and started down Mail Route Road. However, this time, we knew the route (having traveled back this way on day two). I must say, the route we selected was a real treat(once found). Lots of wildlife and only the occasional car. About eight miles into the ride, we began the steep downhill towards the low water crossing on the Blanco river. Forewarned, I stayed on the brakes, and, with a little effort, we stopped at the bottom of the hill just before the “bridge”.

While we unloaded the low riding gear on the bike, a small sports car made its way across the still flooded bridge. As he crossed, the car was washed towards the downstream side of the bridge and would have gone over the side if it had not been for the submerged cement curb of the bridge (an interesting moment to say the least). As I gathered the last of out gear for the portage across the river, I looked up the hill where the sports car was parked, water streaming out of his, now open, driver’s side door. I believe the water was a bit deeper then the driver thought.

Safely on the other side, we took a few minutes to play in the cold and invigorating water before repacking our gear and staring out on the rest of the trip. Refreshed and revived, we mounted up and began the climb out of the river bed. No more then 100 yards into our climb, there was a bit of a pop, and the pedals began to spin freely. We quickly lost all forward motion and dismounted. It didn’t take long for us to figure out that we now had a rear wheel that would freewheel forward just as easily as it would backward.

Now what do we do? Behind us, 8 miles back to where we started. Ahead, 8 miles to the town of Wimberley. We knew that Canyon Lake had nothing (other then a phone) to help us on our way. Wimberley was at least going in the right direction and there may be a bike shop, or thrift shop, or hardware store where we could get the parts to continue on. We decided to press on.

We sat on the bike and coasted when we could, but we walked a lot. Sometimes he pushed the bike, sometimes I did, and sometimes it required the both of us. Our timetable shot and our bike was broke, we had suffered another setback. And, we were having the time of our lives! I don’t remember ever having such fun or laughing so much. We laughed at ourselves and we laughed at each other, but most of all, we laughed at our luck. We had found the enjoyment we were looking for on that long walk towards Wimberley.

Once we made it to town, we pushed the bike to the local hardware store where we searched for a replacement wheel with no luck. However, someone there knew of a thrift store down the road a bit (actually, about a mile back on the road we walked in on) So off we went. We repeated our search with the same result – no tire, but a lead on a place that might be able to help. It seems there is a bike shop “downtown”. So, for the third time that day, we pushed the bike along the same stretch of road. We found the shop. By the looks of it, a custom frame builder. There, in the center of an otherwise bare room, we could see a single frame displayed in a bike stand. But, the shop was locked and no other parts were in evidence.

Again, we started walking. This time our search was more basic. We needed food and a place to sit and rest for a spell. It was clear that we would be “hanging around” the small town of Wimberley until we could be rescued (yet again). After lunch, I was able to call my wife and she agreed to come and get us (AGAIN?) after work. So, I gave her directions on where to find us, and we slowly made our way to the pickup point.

Back in town (San Antonio), we were just able to make it to the local bike shop before closing (Action Bikes – Universal City, TX) and Howard, the owner, went out of his way to get us back on the road again. (Howard – If you ever see this, Thank you so very much. You helped my son and I have a trip we will never forget!) With the bike repaired, we are able to resume our trip. But, from where?

Tags: Texas Hill Country

On day three we awoke to a very upset wife/mother in our campsite! Despite our best efforts, none of our messages stating that we were ok made it home the day before. In a bit of a panic, my wife spent the better part of the night driving the roads and highways of south Texas looking for us. I am sure she thought my harebrained bike tour idea had landed her only son in a hospital or worse. Actually, at this point, I was a bit worried that my harebrained bike tour idea might land me in the hospital.

After a long while, we were able to explain that we really had tried to call (several times) and we were not really all of those names she had called us (in her mind of course). Between that and seeing for herself that we were indeed safe and sound, she had calmed down and we discussed our plans.

I must admit, by this point, I was done. The ride was harder then I imagined, the weather was hotter then I expected, and my life partner was ready to shorten the contract. I gave up. I reluctantly told my son that the tour was over. We had tried, and failed. Maybe next year… or something like that. While we packed up camp and generally moped around, my wife drove back home and got the truck. When she returned, we packed up the gear and the bike and silently drove home. Defeated..

… All through the drive home, and throughout the rest of the day, our defeat (such as it was) hung heavy on my mind. We really were doing “ok”. Yes, it was a bit more difficult then I had hoped. Yes, it was hotter then I liked. And, yes, I had given up. But, did we really have to quit? After talking it over with my son (and turning it over in my head) we decided to press on. We would reset the clock to day two. In the morning, we would start from our campsite a Canyon Lake and continue on. With the decision made, I went to bed and slept through the night.

Tags: Texas Hill Country

Today we have a long ride ahead of us. I awake with more then just a little trepidation of what lies ahead. As I lay there awake trying to gather the strength to get up and face the day, I hear noises outside and wonder if other campers have joined us during the night. I exit the tent to find my wife waiting outside. Although she claims she is there to congratulate us on our first days efforts, I get the feeling she is really there to convince herself that her son is alright, and is not being forced on this trip against his will.

Our quick start to a long ride is lost as we are treated to a big breakfast and (extensive) conversation on what else we could do during spring break. One would almost think she worries a bit. We promise to call her during the day and keep her up to date on our progress as we go on. The bike is working well, and we are having fun together. Our ride starts with us running late (but full).

The route we have chosen keeps us on back roads with little traffic. We leave the campsite and follow highway 306 until a right turn puts us on a northward course out of town. We cross FM-32 and start down Mail Route Road. In a bit, we should take a right turn onto a numbered road that will take us into Wimberly. In time, we find ourselves back on FM-32. Great! We are lost! Well, not really lost, just miles off course and running late. What happened? The “good” map used to plan our route used numeric references for all of the roads. The road signs, of course, use the local name for the roads. Although this the only day we got lost, we ran into this time after time on this trip.

Using our map, we plotted a new route to get us back on track, and missed another turn! We arrived in Wimberly a lot later then we had planned on, there was not enough time to make our campsite by dark. However, we could make it back to Canyon Lake in time, and we would try again in the morning. Consulting a map in the local hardware store, we found the road names for our original route and decided to take that way back to Canyon Lake.

Along the way, we were passed by a person on a mountain bike that warned us about “a bit of water on the road” ahead. He thought we could cross it, but also gave us a detailed route for bypassing it if we wanted to. We decided to press on and in a few miles we found the low water crossing he was referring to. A this point, the road crosses the Blanco river, and there was about a foot of water flowing over the bridge. We saw several people playing in the water and on the bridge, so we decided to make our way across.

Safely on the other side, we thanked our lucky stars that we had gotten lost earlier in the day. Had we come from the other side as originally planned, we never would have been able to make the crossing. The bridge is curved, located at the bottom of a steep hill, around a blind corner and covered with extremely slick moss. Oh, did I mention that the warning signs were down? By dumb luck, we avoided a very dangerous situation.

After reattaching the gear, we continued on our way back to Canyon Lake for the night. Several times during the day, we tried to phone the house, but could not get through. In the end, we decided to leave messages with my work, my wife’s work, and our friends in Lampasas so my wife would not worry. With that done, we setup camp and promptly crashed out for the night. What a day!

Tags: Texas Hill Country