Day 22 of our cycling trip across the Southern Tier was a beautiful and enjoyable ride. It was a shorter trip, only 36 miles from Kerrville to Fredericksburg, but that really allowed us to soak up the scenery.
As we set out on the road, I realized that I forgot my water. Thankfully, we had the support of our SAG team, and Juan was able to save the day by providing me with water.
That also gave time to catch up after the steep climb.
After that minor hiccup, we continued on our journey, and we were immediately greeted with a farm road that was smooth and free of traffic for most of the trip. With no cars to worry about, we were able to take in the scenery and enjoy the ride.
Along the way, we saw all sorts of animals, including goats, sheep, cows, hawks, horses, and Texas longhorns. We even stopped to talk to a rancher about the beautiful land he owned and the issue of oak trees dying from a fungus spread by beetles. He explained that this has been happening for about 30 years and that no one has been able to solve it yet. It was fascinating to learn about this environmental issue and to see how it is affecting the local ecosystem.
After reaching Fredericksburg, we decided to add another 15 miles to our ride. We felt fresh and energized, and we wanted to shorten the distance to our next destination, Austin, TX.
Overall, Day 22 was a pleasant and enjoyable ride. It was great to have the support of our SAG team, and the smooth farm road allowed us to relax and enjoy the scenery. We learned about the environmental issues facing the local ecosystem and felt grateful to be able to experience the beauty of Texas Hill Country. We are looking forward to getting to Austin, TX and seeing our families for Easter break.