2021 Southern Transcon Day 13: Shamrock TX

Rolling out westbound?

We rolled out westbound for .1 miles before turning north. So excited to get a sunrise shot over the shoulder, I missed the turn. No worries, we flipped around and were back on course in no time! Today we had a tailwind for the first half of the ride, moving to a strong crosswind for the second half. We set out at faster recovery pace, and decided to keep our SAG stops to a minimum as long as the wind was  favorable!

Route 60, corn and wind turbines!

Wind turbines say: Quartering tailwind

Route 60 was in great shape and the wind was on our tail made great eastbound progress! We hopped off Route 60 and joined the Business I-40. It looped back and forth through farm country and we were at the first SAG at 25 miles 1.5 hours. Reload the bottles and get out while the wind was still on our tail.

We were making great progress when POP! Jeff had a spoke break on his front wheel. The nice straight wheel was now shaped like a potato chip and would rub the fork and not spin. We tried swapping wheels (my frame has more clearance), but it didn't work. No worries a SAG van with a spare wheel would be by soon. I pushed off, and Jeff waited for a wheel.

Route 66 Deco Rest Area

The route joined I-40 for three miles to the next SAG at the Interstate rest area. It had a cool lobby and restrooms in the Route 66 theme, so I checked it out. Getting ready to head out, Lon told us there was  construction just past the rest area. The 'safer' route would be to head out on the Interstate and jump on an old section of Route 66 using a construction crossing.

Just walk your bike through here and you are good to go!

Great view of the freeway !

It was easy to find, and soon we are rolling again on a section of old Route 66 with nice wild flowers and great views of the freeway.

Gravel?

Well Lon didn't know there was about a half mile of gravel on the alternate route. No worries, it was well packed and easy to ride through, at least on my wide 28mm tires!

1930s Service Station

We rejoined the planned route and continued on the I-40 frontage road. Most of which is on old Route 66 alignments. The pavement was of variable quality, but improved as we made our way to the lunch stop in McLean, TX.

Main Street McLean TX

Devils Rope Museum next to the lunch stop

I took a long lunch break (one hour) and waited for Jeff to rejoin. It was another great lunch (chicken brats) and we rolled out in heavy cross winds.

Cool painted shed

Can you see the cross wind!

We tucked into a tight echelon with me blocking the cross wind for Jeff, and Jeff creating a side draft that helped me along. You have to pay attention, but it works and is very efficient. 

McFlurrys!

We arrived in Shamrock at 2:15. Since the trailer/rooms are not available until 3 we hit McDonalds for some ice cream, ice water, and a cool place to chill out.

Shamrock Route 66 Museum

We finished our ice cream and still had a few minutes before the trailer opened, so we rolled down to the Route 66 museum in town. An old restored service made up most of the grounds, with the museum inside.

Tesla charging station behind the museum!

Something for the Christmas Tree!

Half-way care package

Tomorrow is the half-way point of the ride. Deb put together a care package of some supplies I needed and a few surprise treats as well that was here when I arrived!

Dinner at Rusty's Route 66 Pizza/Burger Joint

Chores complete, we rolled out for a great BBQ sandwich at Rusty's to call this one a day.

Tomorrow we roll into Oklahoma. We will continue along sections of Route 66/I-40 Frontage road for most of the day. Some sections, now closed to traffic, still have the original concrete poured in the 1920/30's. Lon says its in great shape and that there will be even more interesting Route 66 sights and museums.

We head out at 7:30 tomorrow morning. A cold front is moving in, so put on your arm warmers and a wind vest and we'll see you in the parking lot!