Times are changing

Hey there,

I hope you are well. Life has been exciting, the big news is that I have been riding someone, his name is Micah! We met in Marathon, TX at the crazy hostel. We headed down to Big Bend for Thanksgiving, this is the best time of year to go. There is great camping in Big Bend and fun roads as well. There is a crazy mountain formation in the center of the park, we hiked up to the top of it. There is a hot spring right next to the Rio Grande. The river was quite low, west Texas needs a wet winter. Then Micah and I headed back to Marathon to get his bike ready for the tour. He owns a few bikes, any good bike lover should have a fleet of bikes. He was traveling around so he only two bikes, road and mountain bike. The ironic part he has a full touring set up at his dad's house in Arkansas. His road bike would have problems with the wheels, tires, and being able to carry weight and his mountain bike is a single speed but it is a ridged frame. Micah opted for the mountain bike. He was able to pice a few bags together to carry a sleeping bag and clothes. A few days after Thanksgiving we headed east. The road was nice a huge shoulder, we could ride next to each other and enjoy the companionship. He would drop me on the hills being single speed and when I wanted I would drop him on the flats. Something I am getting better at is being able to carry my speed up hill better. Micah has nice hubs, he is able to pass me going down hill. I am pedaling while he is coasting!  I had rode over 2,000 miles by the time we reached Del Rio. We took a rest day outside of town. One of Micah's tires got a hole in so he hitched back to Del Rio and got slick tires. We headed north into Hill Country. We rode about 75 miles in steep hills. Nothing too long but just up and down. At one point I went 45 mph! That night we made to Kerriville. One of my friends from high school lives there. It was great to see Katie and Alan. A few days later, Micah got saddle bags for his bike. My cycling parents, the couple who I rode with in northern California loaned Micah a set a of bags! Now he can carry his things easier and be able to carry more veggies. Micah is a bit of foodie who loves veggies. Which is great for life but a bit harder when you live out bags. Then we made it to Austin, TX. We took a "rest day" there brought bikes to the shop for some love. Micah got a new cog for his bike to help keep up with me, overhauled his hubs, new shoes, and few other things. When I brought my bike into the shop back in Phoenix the shop wanted to replace my chain just from the miles I had ridden on it. The chain was good still had life in it. I brought it to the shop in Las Cruses good, then in Alpine still good, and in Austin still good! This chain has over 2,500 miles on it and still going strong. Micah and I walked around downtown Austin while his bike was getting some love. His bike has morphed into a great touring biking, with the bags (thanks to Kyle and Sarah) and slick tires. We are east of Austin now, with about 400 miles to go. The land is changing, now greener and humid. There are trees! Now very cactus along the roads. The river beds have water. It might rain more than just a few minutes. Day light is quite limited but not too bad.  More towns and more cars. I am hoping to make it home for the Pugh Christmas party which is not far away. I would like to have a 100 mile day before the end of the trip. Thanks for time. Have a great day.

Cheers from Nanland