What a difference a day makes! We left the energy—and traffic—of Austin behind for the beautiful, quieter roads that will carry us toward Louisiana. The ride from Austin to La Grange, TX, was a welcome change, putting us deeper into the heart of the Lone Star State's scenic country.
The Ride: Wind and a Welcome Addition
Conditions were challenging but ultimately favorable: cool and very windy, but with just enough of a push to help us cover 75+ miles with 2,250 feet of climbing. It felt great to swap city hustle for the rhythm of the rural roads.
The team was happy to have an extra set of strong legs join the pace line, with rider Anthony jumping in for the last 12 miles. All in all, it was a pretty easy and enjoyable day in the saddle, proving that good company and a clear goal make the miles fly by.
A Tale of Two Rivers and a Poignant Stop
Today's ride brought us across the Colorado River, a name that can confuse anyone who's familiar with the massive, canyon-carving river out west! Here's the fascinating Texas history behind the name:
The Texas Colorado River gets its name from the Spanish word for "red" or "reddish" (colorado).
Spanish explorers, including Alonso de León in the 1690s, used the term RÃo Colorado for a river whose waters appeared reddish from clay and sediment.
Most historians agree that the Spanish actually named what is now the Brazos River the "Colorado" first! Over time and through various mapping errors and confusion, the names of the two major Texas rivers were interchanged, leaving the Colorado River in Texas with a name that means "red" despite its often-clearer waters. The two rivers share a name but are not connected.
At our lunch stop in Smithville, we paused for a moment of reflection at the Veterans Memorial Park. This powerful memorial space honors the brave men and women who have served the US since the Texas War for Independence in 1836. The park features monuments and plaques, including a moving angel statue that represents the great sacrifice made by those who defended our country's principles. Stops like this put our own efforts into perspective and remind us what we are riding for.
The Simple Pleasures of Farm Country
We certainly weren't lonely on the road today! We enjoyed the constant company of various farm animals: chickens, cows, sheep, and goats, along with the ubiquitous—and very loud—chorus of barking canines who always let us know we're passing through their territory.
Tomorrow, we continue our eastward push with a 78-mile trek to Navasota, TX. With each passing day, we are getting closer to the coast and, more importantly, closer to the finish line in Louisiana this Sunday!
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| Mighty Colorado (TX version!) |
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