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Enduring the Chip Seal: A Gritty Ride to Camp Wood

  • Writer: Terrence McLean
    Terrence McLean
  • Mar 21
  • 2 min read

March 21, 2025 - 80 miles, 2200 ft elevation, Del Rio, TX to Camp Wood, TX


We get up knowing this is our last day before entering Texas Hill Country. Not too much elevation coming as we leave the Mexico border.


No wonder I was having problems getting my cleats in my pedals, I changed them
No wonder I was having problems getting my cleats in my pedals, I changed them

The prevailing southeasterly winds that started yesterday were not favorable for the day as we had 60 miles mostly east before heading north.  The first 8-ish miles started off on beautiful pavement.  


Short video of USAF planes landing at Laughlin AFB while riding on the nice pavement before Chip Seal
Short video of USAF planes landing at Laughlin AFB while riding on the nice pavement before Chip Seal

For those of you who haven’t ridden Texas roads, you may not know what “Chip Seal” is but you will learn quickly out here.  I was looking online and couldn’t find any pictures that do justice for how brutal these roads are.


Chip Seal looks like this when it is new which isn’t that bad but as rocks come loose, vibration torture ensues and equal power translates to about 20-25% less speed
Chip Seal looks like this when it is new which isn’t that bad but as rocks come loose, vibration torture ensues and equal power translates to about 20-25% less speed

After 20-something miles of this Chip Seal nonsense with an unfriendly headwind, we took a left turn on an old bumpy lousy country road which was a dream compared to the Chip Seal.  It’s ALL part of the adventure, right?!?!?


We got stopped by Border Control in the middle of nowhere asking us for passports.  We could not produce them and they acknowledged that they saw the bike van pass recently so let us ride through after 60 seconds.  Then they said, “Go Blue!” to Steve who was wearing the Ohio State jersey.


Completely odd Border Control stop on a nearly-empty country road 
Completely odd Border Control stop on a nearly-empty country road 

The country roads were low on traffic for 28 miles in total until we did a quick water stop and turned left onto a busy highway.  The pavement wasn’t great but it wasn’t Chip Seal and we were heading north into Camp Wood with tailwind the first time of the day.  It was slightly uphill but pushed really hard into Camp Wood.  


Sounds like lots of hills and lots of Chip Seal on Saturday on the busy roads.  It’s all part of the adventure.






 
 
 

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