East Texas and A New First and Weight

Today it rained. It rained most of the day. Yesterday I'd sent home my rain pants.

Yesterday we had a day off in La Grange, Texas, and the general consensus was we were out of the cold weather and into the hot and humid. The desert areas of Arizona and New Mexico and West Texas got cold at night and we'd start the day with arm and leg warmers, jackets, hats, long fiongered gloves. After a few hours we'd shed these garments, often leaving them in the SAG. People were eager to get rid of unnecesary gear - all that schlepping. So many of us used the day off to send stuff home. Plus we figured if it rained it would be warm rain.

I've never really cycled in the rain. But I sure did today, 73 miles worth, and it wasn't so bad. I did have my jacket and a hood to go under my helmet. The only problem was my fingers got so cold that I couldn't shift. It was in the high 60's and the wind chill and rain were enough to freeze my fingers. Rain pants and full fingered gloves would have been nice and I think I would even have enjoyed riding in the rain!

East Texas has money. Our ride two days ago was incredibly beautiful - large expanses of green fields, neatly fenced, beautiful homes, magnificent swathes of wild flowers. We are riding on back country roads, rather like I imagined when I envisioned riding cross country.

Weight. Most everybody has lost weight. One person lost 18 pounds and many people have lost 5 - 10. Your's truly has gained 3 pounds. I refuse to say anything more at this time.