Trans America Cycling Day 27 - Fredericksburg, TX to Austin, TX

The link to today's route and statistics is found here.

The highlight of the route was a wonderful assortment of medium and long rollers.  There were numerous opportunities to bomb down the front of the roller and power up the back side to the flat beyond.  It was a great way to accumulate 4500 feet of ascent without realizing it.

We had our first wet road crossing today, where water is high enough in a stream to run over the road.  Some cycled through, but the risk is slipping on the green growth on the road surface.  The group in the photo dismounted and walked through the ankle deep water with bicycle shoes on.

Fording the stream on foot

All of the beautiful hill country scenery and wildlife take your mind off of the climbing.  Cycling is one of the best ways to take in nature’s finest.  Driving is too fast to see the fine details, and walking doesn't cover as much territory. Now to some sights.

Cattle hanging around shade trees

Prickly Pear Cactus grow well in the hill country, as well as Yuccas

Yucca ouch for Goofy

Beware of picking the prickly pear red fruit when they ripen, unless you have the proper, heavy gloves.  The fruit have tiny hairs on them that are difficult to see and nearly impossible to pull out once buried under the skin.  The fruit are good for making prickly pear jam.

We crossed a bridge over a hill country river today

As usual the farm road right-of-way was filled with flowers.  Here are a two from today.

Antelope Horns flower

Gloriosa Daisy wildflower

Knowing who they are and proud of it
Ray, Larry, Randy, Kip, Chuck and Barry