Saturday 3/12/11

WELCOME TO "HELL WEEK 2011"!  This is the 21rst annual Hell Week in Fredericksburg, and we have record attendance - approximately 400 riders.  If today is any indication, it will be a week full of cattle, cattle guard crossings, sheep, pick-up trucks, rolling hills, BBQ and Tex-Mex. 

Karen, Julie, and Cam chose the shorter of the 3 routes today (40 miles) to test our equipment, our legs, and our lungs.  We began today as we will the next 7 days by gathering with all of the other cyclists at the Sunset Inn, and leaving the lot together in a herd-like fashion - very appropriate for this ranch-dominated locale.  Throughout the ride we wandered in and out of various groups of cyclists from many different states and a few countries.

We normally ride over these grates, but the ladies were kind enough to dismount at this spot so Cam could take a photograph.

We usually think of Texas as cattle country, but sheep outnumber the cattle we saw today 2-to-1, and there were LOTS of young lambs scampering about and showing off as we rolled past.

Karen and Julie

A local school house we passed in the country.



Even the chickens are bigger in Texas!



After the ride, we had time for a quick lunch at a burger and BBQ joint called Hondo's which has a beautiful outdoor courtyard where we dined.  After eating, Julie returned to her motel for a little relaxation, Cam went to the Blue Cottage to take care of some paperwork projects (yes, some responsibilities do continue even when you are off work for 2 months), and Karen drove to the airport to retrieve Jim and Kelley, our friends from Vermont.

By the time Karen returned to the Blue Cottage with Jim and Kelley, there was only a short time for a quick visit, unpacking of Jim and Kelley's tandem bicycle, a change of clothes, and we were off to dinner at the Hilltop Cafe.  This restaurant looks like an old Texas dive, but it actually hosts a very sophisticated menu.  Our meal and service were excellent.  Additionally, this cafe is well-noted for exceptional blues and country music performed nightly by the owner, Johnny Valentine, who was once a member of the 9 Grammy Award winning band, Asleep at the Wheel.  The band was considered "fringe country", but Johnny is now definitely focused on the blues as he accompanies himself on his dobroe.