Trans America Cycling Day 26 - Rest day in Fredericksburg, TX

Fredericksburg is a tourist destination in the Texas Hill Country.  For us it’s a rest and recuperation (R & R) destination.  Museums are also available.  

We are at the tour halfway mark!  Tour leaders sang a happy halfway ditty to us yesterday. 

Some halfway stats and observations

* 1500 miles down the road

* Temperatures generally cooler than normal

* Before the middle of Texas we had more tailwind than headwind.  It appears that in the central region of Texas it is rather common in the spring to have winds out of the east, so we rode pacelines there where we can there to foil the headwind.

* One day of rain, on Day 24 was a gully washer

* We have ridden over most of the worst chipseal on the journey, but Larry warned of some rough road still ahead of us

Last night and today Barry, our retired Navy Command Master Chief, presented everyone with a unique, customized challenge coin.   One side includes the seal for the Navy Special Operations Foundation, the veterans' charity for which Barry is raising funds, and  a remembrance for a U.S. Navy EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) member who died in service to his country.  The second side highlights cancer testing and treatment and giving life through organ donations.

Challenge coin Navy side

Challenge coin cancer and organ donation side

A challenge coin is very useful in the right occasion.  If at a military bar a coin check is called, everyone needs to show their challenge coin.  A service member has to buy drinks for the whole bar if they cannot produce their challenge coin.  There are also other versions of the challenge.

The Pacific War Museum in Fredericksburg is a tribute to Admiral Nimitz, a native of Fredericksburg.  It is a must see for anyone traveling through the town.

For country music buffs, especially those fond of Outlaw Music of Willie (Nelson) and Waylon (Jennings), there is the destination of Luckenbach TX to consider.  Like the song says. “Lets go to Luckenbach Texas, Waylon and Willie and the boys. . . .”  Its only 13 miles to ride there, but the last 3 miles are dirt road.  Wish I had a mountain bike.  Depending whether you ask Wikipedia or the motel desk clerk, Luckenbach has a population of either 3 or 5 people.  There is a general store, and live music is played there every day or night.  

Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings getting ready to sing about Luckenbach, Texas

Several riders went to the Post Office in Fredericksburg today to mail items home that were no longer needed on the tour.  Thanks to Ray from Pennsylvania for the transcript below of humorous conversation between John from Malta and the postal clerk.

John :   I'm sending this package to Malta.
Clerk:  I don't see a state named Malta.
John:  We don't have States or provinces in Malta. It's a country.
Clerk:  I can't send it without a province or state. I don't see Malta as a country on my computer.
John:   It's a country. Is there another way we can mail it?
And so it went........

As one can see from the photo, Ray from Malta was there too, but kept a cooler head during the period of form filling, form ripping up and more form filling.

What does one do on an R & R day?

* Visit local attractions, such as the Pacific War Museum, Texas Rangers Heritage Center, LBJ National Historic Park (a 15 mile bike ride away, so probably no takers today), vineyards and wineries (very many to choose from in these here parts), biergartens, etc.

* Rest fatigued legs, get massaged if you choose

* Clean and oil the bike and closely inspect the tires.  Tour leaders recommend changing tires sometime during the tour.  

* Jump on scale at Walmart to see if there has been weight loss, even with the excellent chow that we have been eating

* Catch up on blogging