Day 23. Day 4 Texas. 58 mi. Ais 4:07. 14.4 avg mph. Ride like the wind

Super fast, easy day. We had a tremendous tailwind the entire way. It was like superhero on loaded bikes. Fastest average yet…smiling faces😊😊. We rode from Marfa to Marathon, up and over Paisano Pass, through Alpine and downhill to Marathon

We had the most casual start today. About 10:45am after fixing Curt’s “surprise wake up to ride” flat tire and cruising some side streets in Marfa.

Next quick stop was the visitor center for Marfa lights. Closed of course (Covid19). We were delighted by the shoulder that we had, a smooth chip seal-less corridor. As we were climbing the pass we came upon the TDOT shoulder sweeper!! I had no idea highway depts do that?! Or is it only in Texas?

The little town of Alpine (pop 12,000) was nice looking. Gateway to Big Bend Natl Park. Also closed. Just about everything was closed, of course. We had lunch on the Main Street in front of the railroad Amtrak station. Visited with a local older guy sitting in his car working crossword puzzles. This town has a Sul Ross State University on the hill. Kind of reminded me of Pullman WA and WSU. Little town, big college.

From Alpine it was 30 miles of free sailing, mostly downhill. I couldn’t help but think of my cousin Pat S, Gregg S, Alan H, Brother Joe (USA’ s cycling masters national time trial champion time 2019), just to name a few of the hard chargers I know. Actually every cyclist I know would love today’s ride!

The good thing about riding right now in the midst of Covid19 shutdown is that we practically have the roads to ourselves. Drivers are very courteous but they are few and far between. The Big Bend National Park is closed so we no longer have big or little campers on the road. Mostly working pickups and a few cars and very few semi’s. You’ve got to enjoy that!

So it appears West Texans like their eclectic art and have all the finest shopping along the route! Today we saw Target.

When we arrived in Marathon Curt was ahead of us dancing his jig off the side of the road. The stoke meter was high today! Then we pulled into the RV park. The local sheriff was there telling campers that were not there before March 10 they had to evacuate. So we could not tent there. The Sheriff told us we could go down the road about 5 miles where there was a tree and some flat ground. Next thing he said was, “Do you have a gun?” Really? It’s not safe to be in town because we might have a virus, but you would send us out of town and it’s so dangerous you need a gun? Then he said, go to the grocery store and ask around about backyards.

Actually we rode to the local hostel, see photos. Ingrid said come on in. Don’t pitch a tent, stay inside and make ourselves at home. She saw us coming! Complete with a bathhouse, towels, rooftop futons. You can check this place out online if you’re curious. La Loma del Chiva. Absolutely the perfect ending to a great day! Today we are happy cyclists.