McBRAAM Stage 12: Dalhart, Tx to Pampa, TX..."The anatomy of pleasant ride."

1,283 miles ridden.
51,986 feet climbed.

A pleasant ride needs to have three things going for it, the absence of any one of the three decreases the pleasantness precipitously. The three are: smooth roads, cooperating weather, and interesting terrain. Today, all three were lacking. We had 15-20 mph head and head-cross winds all day. We had 40 miles of bone shaking, teeth rattling, eye crossing, bike vibrating shoulders. We had endlessly straight roads running through endlessly expansive farm land. They say everything is bigger in Texas. No disagreement here. Bigger bumps in the road, bigger winds, and bigger prairies. So, 0 for 3 today, Texas, on the anatomy of a pleasant ride.

We rode along cotton fields today. The wind blew cotton strands onto us and our bikes all day. We have these long cotton strands, much like spider silk, wrapped around our bikes, wheels and clothes. I usually avoid cotton cycling clothes because they retain so much moisture, but I had not choice today. Should I clean it off, or accept it as new decor for my bike?

https://www.strava.com/activities/1226165844
https://www.relive.cc/view/1226065114

0 flats today.
13 fuzzy caterpillars avoided.
20 mph winds ridden against.
31 Frito's corn chips eaten during lunch.

Hotel: La Quinta Inn, 5 of 5 stars (brand new, nice and clean everything).
Restaurant: Verona Italian Bistro, 4 of 5 stars (pleasant surprise and most friendly staff).

I did manage one picture today.