Long lost cyclists

Hi everybody! So, we've not really had much computer access across Texas. We took a great week off in San Antonio for some 'q' time and personal time ;-). Got to see a day of rodeo, felt like a kid at the San Antonio zoo, rode the bikes up to the Alamo, watched an IMAX, and had time off from each other. Iz and I aren't fighting but it was nice to have a little respite for both of us. Rolling out of SA I had a small wreck, no major damage but after a front tire flat yesterday, my bike has developed a weird pulsing sensation that I'm not very fond of. Leaving SA I also seem to have caught a nasty respiratory infection that has straight served me for a couple days now. Yesterday it was so intense I was often seeing double or had blurred vision, had little sense of balance, felt dehydrated all day and my breathing was very labored. Fortunately it has subsided today though I still have a painful cough and my lungs seem partially compressed.
So, yesterday morning we rose early and wanted to find a small local place for breakfast. Just as we rolled into the small central Texas town of Scotdale my front tire started hissing about the time I spotted Mollie's Café. With a slime tube, there was a puff of green mist with each Revolution of the tire...kinda funny really. We didn't even mess with the tire, I pushed my bike to the café and we stepped inside. 7:30 AM, central Texas, small town, two lanky guys in black, tight shorts and brightly colored jerseys drew a few looks from the old timers sippin their morning coffee. We sat down and ordered: Iz; a 'Texas' pancake and sausage. Me; oatmeal, egg and potato taco and bean and cheese taco (with hot sauce, extra hot sauce and a side of jalapeños)-for the sinuses. "You sure you want the Texas pancake darlin?" The waitress asked. "Well how big is it?" Iz asked her. She held up the 14 inch round serving tray and said, "about this big." "Yep, bring it." And it really was that big! At least the size of a medium or large pizza and 3/4 of an inch thick. He ate every last crumb of it...except for the one small taste that I had. The waitress swore he was the first person she's seen finish a whole Texas pancake since she's been there.
Today we pedaled into Victoria and will keep cruising shortly. Had to catch up though, we stopped a couple ladies who were on nice full carbon tri bikes and asked for a bike shop. We were pointed here to Bill's Bikes. Once here we started tuning the bikes and within 10 minutes a local news reporter shows up! So, after almost an hour of questions and photos there will apparently be a newspaper article about us tomorrow here in Victoria. I'm still chuckling about it. Its a town of around 62,000 and Iz and I are big news I guess.
Well, at least we got to talk a little about cycling safety, physical activity to promote a healthy lifestyle, cycling awareness among motorists and supporting local business. I hope they quote me..."Don't buy your bike at Wal-Mart, support a local bike shop. It might cost more but you get better quality and your money stays local. Plus, try taking your bike back to wal-mart and see if they'll tru the wheels or adjust the seat for you."
That's One small Revolution for the day! Buy local, don't support exploited labourers.
Carpe diem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The wonderful thing about west Texas...

Dreaming of never having to be here again.

Across the plains of Texas

We've seen a whole lot of nothing essentially! Well, slightly rolling hills and a lot of very straight roadway. The people here are very kind and give a great amount of space when they zip past at 80 mph but the scenery is a psychological killer. Oh, and a second cold snap has hit. We camped in Marfa last night and this morning was so cold that all of our water bottles where frozen solid, it hurt to break camp so much that we sat in a gas station to thaw for two hours. My hands and feet were hurting so bad from the cold that it made me sick! The wind was so strong yesterday that Iz's nose is burnt so badly that it's turned abnormally white on the bridge and this white spot is surrounded by dark red and peeling skin. Oh the adventure of cycling across our nation! When we crossed the Texas line, we ate at a small mexican place; support local right? Bad idea...the cow tongue burritos were preferential only to...say...dining with Hannibal Lecture. And the three day old beans and rice flavored with fermenting red salsa would have dropped a New York rat. In Alpine TX tonight with a warmshowers host who has fed us so well we might not need to eat again until Mardi Gras. With record lows still being attempted by Old Man Winter, it is bliss to have walls to wake up within and a warm bed to rest our bones upon. Especially after battling the most ferocious winds we've experienced on our journey thus far. It was like trying to spear an elephant with a toothpick. In other words, it sucked. We've improved our diet recently though, on a good note. Instead of mixed nuts or mixed nuts, we bought some apples, bananas, avocado, bell peppers and tortillas which serve nicely for any time of day. Oh, and a pint of local honey just outside of El Paso; so good on the walnuts and pecans!
Fortunately, no other bike troubles have cropped up so far but we've bought a supply of tube patch kits, tubes and CO2 for emergency tire inflation. Now, we'd like to order strong tailwinds for the next 32.5 days with a side of 5-20% grade downhill and a large order of warmth and sunshine (72-81 degrees F would be nice). Thanks.
One Revolution at a time though, we'll get to where we're bound.
Until again, may you find your own spin cycle!

Frigid in Las Cruces

So we arrived to Las Cruces just in front of an incredible cold spell. Forecasted 6 degrees tonight! So glad we have a place to stay inside. When we arrived yesterday we went first to the poste and picked up the box loaded with great food from Mom & Dad, thank you both so much! Before leaving the poste we were approached by five people who wanted to know all about our adventure. The couple who owns Nelli's Cafe on Hadley Ave invited us to their restaurant for breakfast today! It was an amazing meal. The couchsurfers we spent last night with cooked a great southwestern style dinner for us and provided wonderful hydration and conversation. I really hope that more people start internalizing that we are all humans and can find common grounds to get along. I'm not seeking the delusion of world peace, just the reality of inner peace. Iz and I are continually amazed at how many people greet us with such kindness and willingness to support our journey. These encounters are the fabric of our "One Revolution" concept. One revolution at a time, we are opening ourselves to a world of kindness to and from others. Seek your own peaceful journey! We're off to El Paso or further tomorrow. Oh, we also did a full tune up on both bikes today since we had a mishap yesterday that bent Iz's front rack and put his front wheel out of true. Clean drivetrains and smooth shifting makes such a difference in performance! Thanks Outdoor Adventures for letting us use the bike stand and tools! Let your thoughts and actions be guided by peace and joy...
One Revolution