The video from the ride lacks sound in several clips. My GoPro went crazy for some reason. Hopefully the video without audio in places makes sense.

Leaving Chisos Basin I hitched a ride in the van to the summit where I got out of the van on the way into Chisos Basin. Riding up from the campground was too steep for my flatlander legs. Yesterday was a rest day in the basin but not long enough for my legs to miraculously get the power to pedal up to the summit. The ride down from the summit back to the main road was fast but I rode the brakes to keep my speed at 19 mph or less. The chip’n seal surface had potholes at times and I didn’t want to hit one going faster.

The route went from Chisos Basin to Study Butte, through Terlingua, and on to our campground for the night, Rancho Topanga. I’m not sure why the “Rancho” was included. The campsite was gravel with a few scrub bushes. The bright spot was the nearby toilets and showers.

I made good time to Study Butte where I stopped and ate my lunch. The showers were near where I ate and I walked there to use the restroom before riding on Texas 170 (I think that was the designation). A scary sign on that road said a 15% climb was 30 miles ahead. That came after Rancho Topanga so I wouldn’t need to ride up it today. That was for tomorrow. But there was a 12.5% climb over a mile before Rancho Topanga. I rode up part way and walked to the top. As I recovered at the top a pickup pulled up on the other side of the road. Not sure why he stopped.

I setup my tent with help again. The campsite was on plateau with wind blowing. My tent was very difficult to setup when there wasn’t any wind let alone when it was windy. Showering a quick shave and I was ready for dinner. We went to the Texas Starlight Theater in Terlingua for dinner. The band sang Happy Birthday to Chris. Once the sun went down it was dark blackout. I used my flashlight to go to the toilets. The wind died down some by morning.

Link to photos.