Quick cereal breakfast in the room this morning, on the road at 7. Expecting high winds this afternoon so I need to get some miles in early.
Not a lot to look at again this morning, that's the theme for the next couple of days. Vast flat farmlands as far as the eye can see.
High winds coming over my right shoulder threatening to blow me into the road. Luckiy the hard shoulder is flat and wide. After 20 miles I pass through Hobbs a pretty typical nondescript town. Turning east the wind is now directly behind me and I soon sweep over the Texas state line. Oil heads and cotton fields greet me. The road stretches out straight in front with rolling hills. Pull over after 60 mile, puncture in the front and time to eat. The winds really picked up now, still right behind me. I’ve also broken my front pannier rack, nothing a Ty-wrap won’t hold for now.
30+ miles to go. The wind is now growing into a storm, red dust is everywhere and tumble-weed is racing me down the road. Absolutely smashing it. Whilst fixing the bike earlier I inadvertently turned off my garmin. So my stats are only from the break. Averaging 24mph for 20 miles I notice, think I can improve on that I say to myself. Put the hammer down and complete the ride in 75 minutes, 31.2 miles, average speed a great 25.3mph. Not bad for a 50kg bike and a descent of 45metres.
I consider making the most of the wind and riding another 30+ miles to GAIL. After checking my maps, turns out there are no hotels.
So I take the early day, find a motel and set about going over my bike. Everything checked and tightened, innertubes repaired and a spot of lubrication. Only the rack that I’m not 100% with. Handful of Ty-wraps wouldn’t go a miss.
Walk down to the shop to get food for tomorrow, locals stare at me in my shorts and the fact I’m walking. There’s a petrol station near the shop so I pop in but they have no Ty-wraps. “Bingo” next door is an electrical firm. I knock the door and enter. There’s a large woman sat behind her desk keen to help. I explain my situation, so she phones her husband, no answer. So she phones her son, he directs her over the phone into the stores with me following close behind. I could be at home. I spot what I need and ask for ten, she hands me a whole bunch. We sit and chat in her office over a cup of tea and a biscuit or two, with me explaining what Ive done and seen.
Excellent people.