DAY 6 0,0,0

Day 6 zero miles, zero sights, zero fun. Rain day stayed at the hotel walked to lunch and dinner. I get more tired doing nothing than I do riding.

DAY 5 SHREVEPORT TO HOT SPRINGS

Another beautiful day riding absolutely gorgeous country on small two lane roads with very little traffic. There really isn't any more to say, light jacket, light weight gloves, and a grin from ear to ear.

For route info Ken has the abridged version, minus several of the short side trips. If we used a GPS we could have avoided some of the turns but would have missed some of the great roads.

Until tomorrow.

DAY 4 TEMPLE TX TO SHREVEPORT LA

After a few miles on I-35 we turned east on route 7. A beautiful ride through the Davy Crockett National Forest, cattle land, thick forests, and small towns. The road followed the lay of the land up and down around the rolling hills with good pavement and 75 mph speeds.

Pulled into Shreveport and found our last member, JB, and soon we were all checked in to a nice Best Western Plus. Hotel had a bonus in that it's taco Tuesday with all you can eat tacos, nachos, and salad, a trifecta!

That's about it for today, started in jackets finished in shirt sleeves. It was just like baby bears porridge, not to hot not to cold.

DAY 3 BIG SPRING TO TEMPLE TX

Day started cool and windy but the wind was consistent not gusty so riding wasn't a big challenge. Started on divided highway but soon transitioned to two lane roads with 75 mph speed limits as is typical around here.

Once we turned east the wind was less of a factor and we entered green rolling hills with a mix of pecan farms, horse property, and cattle ranches. At one point several miles of pecan trees in perfect rows with blue, red and yellow wild flowers blooming beneath the trees. Add in smooth roads with very little traffic, comfortable temps and you have the makings of another great day to be alive and ride.

The desert wind blowing your hair back
Window down, town after town
Where will we be in half a century?
Two down and forty eight to go 

David Walsh

Great lunch with a six year old at Subway who made me miss my grandkids.

Before the day ended we were on a highway in traffic glad to find a place to stay with a steak house next door.

Route today was simple 87, 190 to Temple.

DAY 2 BIG SPRING TEXAS

Life's like a road that you travel on
When there's one day here and the next day gone
Sometimes you bend and sometimes you stand
Sometimes you turn your back to the wind

There's a world outside every darkened door
Where blues won't haunt you anymore
Where brave are free and lovers soar
Come ride with me to the distant shore

Thomas William Cochrane

"Life is a Highway" from the movie Cars strikes the right cord for today. Great roads, an unexpected climb into the pines to the community of Cloudcroft. Riding into Texas on two lanes with a 75 mph speed limits and a tail wind.

Lost another hour, put on another 400 miles, finished off with dinner outdoors at a deli across the street from the hotel.

Smiled all day this is why we ride.

Today's route I-25, 70, 82, 529, 62/180, 176 to Big Spring. 

DAY 1 APRIL 13TH 2019

The start of another ride always begins with a bit of apprehension. Did I bring everything, followed by the realization that a Walmart is never more than a half day away. Will everyone stay healthy, we are ALL on medicare. This is always followed by, what will be will, be this IS the 13th ride of three or more weeks we have done together.

Then suddenly you are heading down the road under clear cool skies, bike just purring along and all becomes right with the world. Picked the long way to Las Cruces and once out of the valley also found the road less traveled.

Route today was a repeat from the past but still great 60, 70, 191, 78, 180, I-10.

DAY 0 2019 RIDE

Tomorrow!