Day #18 – The Speedy Texas Marathon

 Marathon, Texas to Sanderson, Texas Distance: 53 miles | Elevation Gain: 600 feet

Today was a day of swift contrasts: an early morning Texas ride followed by a journey to the airport to catch a flight back to Louisville for the Alumni Award ceremony (see the early blog post for more on that exciting detour!).

Highlights of The Cycling Day

I was up well before the sun to ensure there was plenty of time to make it back to Kentucky. The early start was absolutely worth it:

• Sunrise Over the Mountains: Watching the sun peek over the vast Texas mountains was truly spectacular. The cool, crisp air amplified the beauty of the desert landscape coming to life.

• Wildlife Sightings: I saw three, maybe even four, graceful antelope dart across the desert plains, a perfect reminder of the remote beauty of this state.

• The Scenic Descent: The ride became particularly beautiful as I rolled through a stunning mountain pass, gradually descending into the town of Sanderson. It felt like a visual reward after the early effort.

Journey's End (For Now)

Our 53-mile push brought me to the Desert Inn Motel in Sanderson. This location holds a special significance: it’s the very spot where my personal journey for Project 2950 first commenced (you can find the full details in an earlier blog entry).

Google Photos Link

Strava Activity Link

Could be Antelope or Elk on the Left!

Day #17 – Marfa to Marathon, Texas

What a difference a few hours and a change of scenery can make! Day #17 of Project 2950, traveling from Marfa to Marathon, Texas, was truly a tale of two segments—one a tense, high-stakes battle, the other a smooth, well-earned relief.

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Battling the Beast: The Morning Segment

The day started with a formidable challenge. A cold front was blowing through, creating a brutal crosswind with a constant speed of 29 MPH and gusts up to 36 MPH.

For the first 12 miles, the wind was just one part of the danger. The road shoulders were extremely narrow, making it dicey to ride while fighting gale-force gusts that could push a cyclist off into the gravel. Recognizing that safety was paramount, the decision was made for most of the team to take a strategic van hop forward and we appreciate tour Director, Dennis, who was absolutely on his A-game today. 

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The Sweet Reward: The Afternoon Segment

After the safety hop and a well-deserved lunch stop, the environment shifted dramatically. The cold front had largely passed, and the vicious breezes had dropped to a manageable 10 to 15 MPH.

The change was instant. The final 22 miles felt like an entirely new experience. The wind had eased, and the route even offered some friendly downhill elevation, allowing the miles to melt away. This "easy breezy" segment was a welcomed contrast to the morning's challenges. The final stretch into Marathon was a beautiful reminder of the joy of cycling.

We rolled into Marathon, Texas, to the historic Gage Hotel, ready for a great dinner and rest before heading out to Sanderson, Texas, with hopes for much calmer winds.

A Special Shout Out to the Wind Warriors

Respect and admiration go out to the five amazing riders who chose to stick it out and conquer the entire segment in that unbelievable wind: Stephen, Tracy, Adam, George, and Rich! Your grit and focus in the face of those winds was seriously impressive.

Google Photos Link

Strava Activity Link Morning    Strava Activity Link Afternoon

Check out the wind in the video!!

Narrow shoulder and huge wind...no bueno!

Day 15: Conquering the Wild West Highway to Marfa!

Today was a quintessential West Texas cycling experience, taking us 74 miles from Van Horn to Marfa. We gained a total of 1,467 feet of elevation, with a steady, significant climb that defined the day's effort.

The Climb to High Altitude

We kicked off the morning on US 90, aptly nicknamed the Wild West Highway right out of Van Horn. For much of the day, it was a slow and steady grind. We climbed a total of about 1,200 feet, bringing us to an overall altitude of around 4,900 feet—the highest we've been since Bisbee, Arizona!

While the scenery was vast and incredible, the last 40-plus miles brought some seriously stiff headwinds. This definitely forced us to slow our pace and really dig deep, but there's a certain satisfaction in battling the elements and pushing through to your destination.

Art, Icons, and The Perfect Finish

Despite the effort, the ride was anything but boring. The weather was fantastic—low humidity and comfortably warm, which made the difficult sections more bearable. We had a blast stopping to take photos of all the quirky roadside finds today: strange metal artwork, classic West Texas billboards, and other iconic American sights.

The highlight for a quick break (and a great photo op!) had to be our stop at the famous, remote art installation, Marfa Prada.

We rolled into Marfa, triumphant and did what any seasoned cyclist knows is the perfect reward: we headed straight for the local Dairy Queen for a requisite soft serve cone dipped in chocolate. It was the perfect, sweet end to a tough day in the saddle.

Rest Day Ahead!

This marks the end of an impressive streak: eight days in a row of riding and nearly 600 miles covered! We've earned it—tomorrow is a much-needed rest day. Time to put our feet up, explore the art town of Marfa, and recharge the legs for the next leg of Project 2950!

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