June 16, 2023
Day 33 - ending at Brownfield, TX
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Today wasn't going to as scenic as past days. It was basically get from Point A to Point B. I'd be heading southwest all day on highway US-62 to get to Brownfield, Texas. Once in Brownfield, I was going to see if there was a way I could tent camp in the city's park, which is set up for RV camping.
It was cold at 5:10am this morning when I got up, so I put on my jacket on for a while. I received a free coffee and donut from the camp store at 8:30am. Got report posted for yesterday. I was on my way at 10:37am.
I had a few miles routed going west and south to try to bypass the busier sections of the northwest side of Lubbock. It didn't take long for a detour to change those plans, and I ended up on a main road heading south straight to US-62. It wasn't too busy, probably because of the time of day. I saw there was a Cracker Barrel ahead. That would work for breakfast. Once inside, it felt like I was back home in Morton, eating out with my friends George and Kris. I ordered one of my favorite meals - Grandma's Sampler, plus sweet tea. As I left I received a cup of ice for my thermos.
Noon mileage was 7.8 miles. I wasn't real concerned, I had the mileage figured to Brownfield as 42.
Along this busier part of US-62 there's frontage/access roads. I rode on the access road for a while, then got on the main highway.
At 12:45pm I wondered why the steering was so wobbly, then realized I had a front tire flat. It was only a short walk across grass from the main highway shoulder to the access road, which would be a better place to work on the flat. It was actually a very nice place - next to a lake. Later I found out it is a city park of Wolfforth - Patterson Park. Once I got the tube removed, I walked down to the pond and put it under water. The patch I put on a few days ago was leaking! The patch was crinkled somewhat, and air was coming out at two different places. That got me wondering if the patches I am using are too old. I replaced the tube and was on my way 59 minutes later. But I didn't get far. I stopped at a pavilion in Patterson Park for break in the shade. Then I continued on the access road as far as it went until merging back onto the highway.
The wind was from the east and I was going southwest, so it was helping. I passed through Ropesville at about 3:25pm. I hit some sandy spots along the shoulder there and almost tipped over. A little farther down the road at 3:31pm, I realized I had a flat rear tire. This wasn't going to be as good a spot to work, though it did have shade. Once again I found nothing that would have caused the flat, but this was also a patched tube. And its patch was wrinkly. So I replaced the tube with a new one. This time I spent 71 minutes not moving.
When I got started again, I noticed the wind was now from the south. I had 17 miles to go. I have one of my longest days planned for tomorrow. I was thinking I would get to Brownsville early, get the report done, and be all ready for an early start in the morning. Now, I wasn't going to be in Brownfield that early, so decided to get a motel, to at least save the time that camping adds.
At 6:59pm, I arrived at Red Sands Motel. Got registered to stay in room #4. It's an older place that has a full kitchen, which I won't be using except to fill my water jug at the sink.
The motel owner said that the Mexican restaurant next door - Taqueria Jesus Maria - was a good place to eat, so I walked over there. Had Dinner #10: three quesadillas and sweet tea. It was very good, and just the right amount of food.
When I got back to the motel room, I put water in the sink and checked the rear tire tube removed this afternoon. It was leaking at its patch also! I have to admit this griped me a little. I only have one unpatched spare tube left. I need to find a different style of patch that will let me fix these inner tubes.
At 8:45pm I walked several blocks west to see if I could get a clear view of the sunset. Wasn't really able to.
I worked a little on picture selection for today's report they went to bed at 10:45pm, hoping to wake up early tomorrow morning for my long day.
Jeff
Spent: $1.79 (Gatorade) + $14.59 plus $4 (breakfast) + $55 plus $5 (motel room) + $17.32 plus $5 (supper) = $102.70
| Heart | 2 | Comment | 2 | Link |
1 year ago
I agree with you on everything, except I wish I had a shorter turn-around time.
Being this reply is a few days late, I'm able to tell you that I bought a glue-style patch kit today.
Jeff
1 year ago
Today's ride: 40 miles (64 km)
Total: 1,383 miles (2,226 km)
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1 year ago