Last evening in Jasper we ate one of our best meals on
the tour. Bella Sera served up great salads, tasty olive oil drizzled pasta,
and a thin crust pizza that ranks with the best I have ever had. It was a short
walk to there from the hotel, so Susan talked us into the promenade. As we started
toward the restaurant a few drops of rain tapped gently on us, a harbinger of
the next morning.
It was a great day to be on a bicycle, being our longest
day at 91 miles, so we were up early for a breakfast before heading east on US
190 toward Newton and Bon Weir, the last towns in Texas. As I walked to
breakfast the rain began, coming two hours earlier than forecast. We wondered
about the long ride today in wet weather, but ultimately we walked out into the
rain, mounted our bikes and headed out. Five miles out of town, Susan passed by
and asked if we wanted to stop for the day. Sara and I had discussed the
situation and we agreed to press on. After 15 miles, as we entered Newton, the
rain subsided. It never returned for the rest of the day. Leaving Newton we had
10 more miles of Texas traffic until we finally reached the Sabine River
marking the boundary with Louisiana where we stopped for photos.
We entered Louisiana with five miles to Merryville,
the first of its many towns. A quick short cut through town and we were on
idyllic SR 110 for thirty miles. The road is a two lane bermless strip of
smooth pavement, flat with minimal traffic, and kindly drivers. It will be
ranked as one of our best roads on the tour. However, the 5-10 mph wind had
been in our face since we left Jasper, and it was to be in our face the rest of
the day as well. To combat the wind Sara and I drafted for most of the last 50
miles, trading off every 1/4 mile or so. Sara’s smooth cadence delivering power
to her rear wheel was very impressive. Our pace surprised Susan repeatedly as
we arrived at the rest stops well before she expected us.
Tomorrow we ride 80 miles to Livonia, LA, all on US
190. It will be another headwind day, but we are more than up to it. Stay
tuned.
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| Rainy start to our morning in Jasper |
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| Sabine River at the TX-Louisiana border |
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