Southern Tier Part 2

• Introduction • Table of Contents • Getting back to where I left off • Southern Tier Part 2 Day #1 Ocean Springs, MS to  Perkinston, MS • Southern Tier Part 2 Day #2  Perkinston, MS to Franklinton, LA • Southern Tier Part 2 Day #3 Franklinton, LA to Jackson, LA • Southern Tier Part 2 Day #4 Jackson, LA to Bunkie, LA • Southern Tier Part 2 Day #5 Bunkie, LA to DeRidder, LA • Southern Tier Part 2 Day #6 DeRidder, LA to Kountze, TX • Southern Tier Part 2 Day #7 Kountze, TX to Cagle Recreation Area, TX • Southern Tier Part 2 Day #8 Cagle Recreation Area, TX to La Grange, TX • Southern Tier Part 2 Day #9 La Grange, TX to Austin, TX • Southern Tier Part 2 Day #10 Austin, TX to Fredericksburg, TX • Southern Tier Part 2 Day #11 Fredericksburg, TX to Vanderpool, TX • Southern Tier Part 2 Day #12 Vanderpool, TX to Brackettville, TX • Southern Tier Part 2 Day #13 Brackettville, TX to Seminole Canyon State Park, TX • Southern Tier Part 2 Day #14 Seminole Canyon State Park, TX to Sanderson, TX

I’ve still got my tan lines from the Trans Mexico de Norte tour, and plenty of new scrapes and bruises. As with every tour, I’ve been a nervous wreck in preparation the Southern Tier part 2. I’ve actually been getting ready for two tours at once.   In late May I’ll be starting the Great Divide Bike Packing Route, and I’ve purchased a new gravel bike along with new bags. The past few months being winter, I haven’t been training as hard as I should. I commute to work by bike and have been doing occasional rides with the Century Plus Crew. An additional complication is that I’ve had to arrange subs and prep assignments at both of my teaching jobs. Last year I conducted my classes from the road, but I won’t have time this year. I need to pedal over 1500 miles in 18 days. It’s gonna be tight, and I might not make it. My tires have just enough tread to make it to my destination. They carried me across the Western Express and Empire State Trail last summer, and should start wearing thin about

Southern Tier Part 2 - Day #1 April 13, 2022 Ocean Springs, MS to   Perkinston, MS - 57 Miles Start 3:05 PM Finish 8:03 PM Ride Time 4:04 Ascent 1470 Feet Descent 1335 Feet Tour Total 57 Miles Details at: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/87070791 I began the ride heading east on Highway 90 back towards Gautier. It was a busy divided four-lane highway. A strong wind was coming from the southeast against my front right shoulder. The temperature was 79°F. I passed a roadkill possum in front of a roadside bar called Rumors. I took a left on State Highway 57 towards Vancleave. I was now heading north with the wind at my back. This highway was also divided four lane with lots of fast moving motor traffic. It had a nice wide shoulder and I was enjoying my tailwind. I was finally back on the route. I was on the ACA Southern Tier map #6, paper panel number 87. The road merged down to two lanes and there were twelve inch wide rumble strips, half of which were under the white line and the other half

Southern Tier Part 2 - Day #2 April 14, 2022 Perkinston, MS to Franklinton, LA - 80 Miles Start 9:02 AM Finish 3:22 PM Ride Time 7:19 Ascent 2640 Feet Descent 2582 Feet Tour Total 135 Miles Details at: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/87130324 The last place that I had stayed on part one of the Southern Tier tour was on Dauphin Island in Alabama. This made last night my first and only night in Mississippi. It was a rough night and I didn’t sleep very well. The storm rolled in around 11 PM as I was trying to upload images to yesterday’s report. It got windy and rain drops began spraying the picnic table where I was working. I quickly protected my things and retired to my tent. I had forgotten to zip up the tent after I had set it up, and a toad had wandered inside. When first erecting my tent, I wasn’t sure whether to set up the fly. It was warm and humid. I figured that if the storm was bad, the rain would blow in from the side. So I was cautious and installed the fly, which was a good de

Southern Tier Part 2 - Day #3 April 15, 2022 Franklinton, LA to Jackson, LA - 91 Miles Start 8:36 AM Finish 4:38 PM Ride Time   8:01 Ascent 3414 Feet Descent 3335 Feet Tour Total 225 Miles Details at: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/87229583 I slept incredibly well last night in room 121 at the Liberty Inn in Franklinton. Last evening after Don Juan’s, I returned to my room to catch up on some work from back home. The Wi-Fi was lightning fast and made me realize how slow my service was at home. Bill from Crazy Guy had correctly identified yesterday’s reptile sightings. In addition, I was juggling classes that I was teaching, and trying to find a pet sitter for this summer. I called Perry’s bike hostel to confirm my arrival and Perry encouraged me to take State Highway 10 the entire way. She promised a wide shoulder and road signs that urged motorists to yield to cyclists. She also mentioned that an eastbound had stayed with her last night, and that I we might cross paths. Long story shor

Southern Tier Part 2 - Day #4 April 16, 2022 Jackson, LA - Bunkie, LA - 94 miles Start 7:58 AM Finish 8:05 PM Ride Time 7:04 Ascent 1030 Feet Descent 1096 Feet Tour Total 318 Miles Details at: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/87356733 Last night after dinner I enjoyed ice cold bottles of Dos Equis lager while I edited yesterday‘s report. I slept well outside on the protected wooden platform at Perry’s bike hostel. There was a nearby pump / compressor that hummed all night long. I could also hear the traffic from nearby highway 68. This morning I woke up with the light. My towel and cycling clothes had been hanging on a line, and were wet from the humidity. I enjoyed a morning coffee with Perry and Lep. The shot I had heard last night had apparently hit Pig Lib. They had nicknames for all of the wild pigs. After being hit,  Pig Lib  had scampered off by the time Lep had gone to retrieve it. Ostensibly the coyotes would get the spoils. Apparently pigs don’t bleed when they're shot. Thei