Day 4: Marathon to 30 miles east of Sanderson

After a great rejuvenating day yesterday, all systems were go today. Riders woke early, ate the best breakfast yet at the Gage Hotel, and spun out onto Highway 90 at first light. 84 miles and a net 1,000 ft downhill.

It was a fast, fun, and social day with pacelines of 2 to 10 riders zipping along at 16 to 23 mph across the sandy plains and into the rolling limestone hills of the Hill Country.

Two riders approach the limestone hills of the Texas Hill Country

To reduce tomorrow’s ride to only 90 miles from 120, we rode an additional 30 miles past Sanderson, to a wide spot in the road where we loaded all the bikes on the van and truck and went back to the hotel in Sanderson for the night.

Jerry hired two drivers and their mini-vans from the hotel to help move all 34 of us. In his grand plan, he let everyone over 62 ride in one of the mini-vans while the rest of us rode in the back of the Ryder truck, hence naming the mini-van the “Geezer Mobile”.

Ron, Kathleen, and Nate pose while Jerry and Chris load bikes on the van

For all the great riding today, though, the Texas roads are chip-sealed, which means that they are extra rough on the hands and especially on (hmm, how do I say this?) the riders seat – you know, the part that hits the saddle. Suffice it to say it was our first meeting where we discussed the type of medication they prescribe for senior citizens with bedsores.