Up and waiting to go, over a hundred miles planned today and it’s grim. Quick breakfast in the hotel and I’m rolling at 7:15. Not light yet so I’m on the hard shoulder with my tail lights flashing. Raining, foggy but not to cold or windy. Made my mind up not to look at the garmin today, just keep riding till you arrive in Lampasas. Probable in ten hours or so. Start in the dark, finish in the dark. Roads good today, villages dotted along the route, rather than towns 80 miles apart. So I’m counting down the miles using the villages, but oblivious to the time. The suns not coming up, but it has stopped raining.
The days going well, not so much wind and feeling pretty good. As I brow the climb I spot a pick up-truck parked on the shoulder. As I near the drivers struggles out and halts me. Asking where I’ve been and going. Do I want a lift. I’m fine thank you I reply. He says the weather stinks and the traffic is busy get in the van. I’m hesitant as it’s going fine today, warmer and less wind. But the guys a charm so I agree to throw my bike in the back, bags on the back seat and settle in next to him. 73 years old and the guys still working, repairing small motors and tools, in his shop. After 20 miles I suggest he pulls over and I get back on the bike. Not really he was at his journeys end. I unloaded the bike and his compressor from the back. Perhaps that's why he picked me up, to unload his van. I don’t think so, far to nice and genuine. I’m only sorry I never got his name.
Struggled to get it going again, so pulled over at a picnic spot and had some lunch. Feeling better I set off, only 30 miles to go. Spot my first live “Armadillo” on the grass verge, definitely in Texas now.
With twenty to do it begins to rain hard, no worries I’m soaked anyway. Finally roll into Lampasa around 15:00. A good day all-round considering I was expecting the worst. Just need to get my kit dry for tomorrows champagne ride into Austin.