We wanted to get an early start today as we had 80+ miles to go to get to Navasota. We had a quick breakfast on the back porch of the sanctuary while several white birds entertained us. We hated to leave such a fun, peaceful place, but such is the life of a bicycle nomad.
So off we went, but before we could get back to the main road, we had to run the dog gauntlet. We carry air horns to dissuade vicious, snarling dogs who chase us. We used it more than once just getting back to the main road- about a mile and a half. Once on the far side of Shepherd, the hills picked up, and the road conditions deteriorated. Some roads we’ve traveled on haven’t been paved in years, leading to cracks, holes, tar strips and crevices. Other roads are chip seal, which is simply large gravel poured over tar. These roads can last for miles-sometimes we are on them almost all day. A motorist would hardly notice. To a bicyclist it almost jars your teeth loose! Your hands go numb, things bounce off your bike, and your speed drops dramatically, even on downhills. We went through Cold Spring, detoured to look at their old jail, which is now a museum, and then we went by the oldest Methodist church in Texas. Leaving Cold Spring, we rode for several miles through Sam Houston woods, which was very pretty, and very hilly. We stopped for lunch in New Waverly and went to their library to print off ride sheets. When we entered Navasota, our plan was to camp on the far side of town...but there was a fabulous Best Western right in front of us, so we changed our plans! 83 Miles was far enough! Total cycling mileage: 83 Total hiking mileage: 2