Texas Tarmac Trauma and Fort Davis's Hilltop Triumph

March 16, 2025 - 80 miles, 2200 ft elevation, Van Horn, TX to Fort Davis, TX

So sad to say goodbye to the visiting McLean clan and Joe after several great days!  Back on the road from Van Horn.

The first 8 miles from Van Horn is on beautifully smooth pavement.  Then comes Jeff Davis county line and I quickly understand the concern about Texas pavement.  These are 75 MPH speed limit two lane roads with the most unrideable shoulders and rumble strips running through the shoulders.  Exactly no good choices.  Thank goodness we hit a left turn on empty farm roads around 40 miles.  

We slowly ascended about 1500 ft through lunch at mile 54 and had a gorgeous lunch.  After lunch, we had another 700 ft climb to do.   

Beautiful lunch on a country road outside Fort Davis, TX

Norman pulled me up the hill and Martin waited for us at the top.  The descent started with a nice tailwind coming through the cut in the hills but then turned into a headwind as we the flats coming into Fort Davis.

Norman pulls Terry to the top of the 700 ft climb before descending into Fort Davis

This marked the end to 8 days in a row of riding and over 1000 miles.  About one-third of the way to our destination.  One day off in Fort Davis!