Yesterday was in the top 5 of all time longest drives in one day. I’ve done some all nighters before from Topeka to the West and East coasts, but the drive from San Diego to Austin seemed to go on forever. It took me a little under 17 1/2 hours, which is averaging 76 mph with stops. Luckily the speed limits in Texas are 80 on the Interstates. I kind of lost it about 2 am Midwest time, but only had less than an hour left at that point.
So, with a super short nights sleep, I’m getting on my bike and riding the 20 miles over to the Austin Airport to pick up a rental car. I’m driving it back to Ann’s house, loading up my stuff, air mattress, clothes etc., that I need for the MS 150 this weekend, and then heading off to Houston. I need to go to the Marriott, drop off my stuff, then take the car back and ride back to the hotel. I don’t think I’m going to have any time to catch up on sleep today.
The ride is supposed to start at 6:45 am tomorrow. I don’t really see a great reason to head out that early if we have to ride less than 100 miles, but I guess I’ll go when everyone else takes off. I hope I don’t get sick from this hectic schedule. I know my body needed yesterday “off”, but it really wasn’t that off.
Okay, sorry about the boring day to day life posts recently, but that is all I got right now. I have to get riding. The ride to the Austin Airport is not a good one.
The drive from San DIego to Austin goes through Arizona, New Mexico and then Texas. When you get to Texas, you’re half way there. There are lots and lots of rocks along the way.
I saw lots of wind farms along the route.
And lots of dust devils.
The speed limit in Texas is 80. I usually drive just 9 over.
Arizona and Texas both had border stops with dogs. For some reason, it made me a little nervous, even though I had nothing to hide.
And Bromont’s different postions during the drive. He only got out a couple times. He is a very seasoned traveller.
Finally at Ann’s house in Austin.
Just saw you on your way to the Austin airport, passing by WholeFoods store – that’s was pretty unexpected sighting. Yeah, I hope you won’t get sick from all this hectic schedule – good luck!
Never boring, Steve. Thanks for the insight.
And that’s an amazing average speed. Wow.
The reason many organized rides go off so early is the need to create as little disruption as possible on roads and regular traffic, as well as to get the participants and people helping from being out during the heat of the day. So it’s a logistics thing. And remember, not everyone can ride 100 miles in fewer than five hours.
The Emir had to sell 2 of his houseboys (David Clinger & Roberto Gaggioli) to fund Operation Plum Smuggler and you’re still renting a car? All I will tell you is that he’s not very happy at the moment, he’s threatening to trade me to Oleg Tinkov for 17 virgins. Not sure where Tinkov found them, probably Comicon or an engineering school. The horror
Questions for you Paco,
What kind of car does the Emir provide for motorpacing? How much water do you need to carry on a 2 hour ride?
How quickly did the Emir figure out that funding a cycling team is a terrible idea? Maybe that’s why he’s so angry all the time.
That’s a drive through some of the most desolate country in the us
There’s only one way to motorpace in the UAE, behind a Lamborghini
Zero, does your mother know that you discovered the internet?