{"id":22503,"date":"2018-04-19T11:15:31","date_gmt":"2018-04-19T15:15:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=22503"},"modified":"2018-04-19T11:15:31","modified_gmt":"2018-04-19T15:15:31","slug":"day-4-wednesday-april-18-mathis-to-corpus-christi-texas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=22503","title":{"rendered":"Day 4. Wednesday April 18 – Mathis to Corpus Christi, Texas"},"content":{"rendered":"

It was so quiet when we left this morning \"\"<\/a>along the smoothly paved frontage road; a comfortable 68\u00b0 and no wind.\"\"<\/a> \u00a0Once turning on the main highway, we gained our roughly paved wide shoulder, but without a headwind it was much more tolerable. We actually managed just under ten miles our first hour; dreadfully slow, but better than the last few days.<\/p>\n

The wind joined us after about an hour,\"\"<\/a> but only at about 15 mph and just off our right shoulder; bothersome, but certainly more doable than the last couple of days (everything is relative). \u00a0The morning ride was scattered with small towns,\"\"<\/a> beautiful ranches,\"\"<\/a> interesting homes\"\"<\/a> and wildflowers\"\"<\/a> along the shoulder. \u00a0Several times dogs gave chase, pushing our legs a little harder than they wanted, but enough to get out of the way of our persuers.<\/p>\n

A brief stop at the crossroads that would take us east, was just enough time to allow clouds to form.\"\"<\/a> \u00a0The sky looked like it was going to release buckets of rain, but we enjoyed temperatures not climbing above the comfortable mid 70’s. \u00a0A long stretch of road filled with farms and pretty ranchettes \"\"<\/a>was lost when we entered the city limits of Corpus Christi. \u00a0Surrounded by food shops, we opted for an early lunch along with every cowboy in town;\"\"<\/a> understandable considering the size of one lunch.<\/p>\n

The next twenty plus miles were filled with\u00a0nondescript businesses with large lots enclosed by fences; a few colorful signs\"\"<\/a> definitely stood out. \u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Corpus Christi is the fifth largest US port handling mostly oil;\"\"<\/a>this refinery stretched for miles.<\/p>\n

Six miles out, the wind decided to escort us all the way into town with a full frontal assault. \u00a0It was a bit insulting, but the shoulder was wide, the traffic light and the view once we arrived,\"\"<\/a> worth it.<\/p>\n

Five hours in the saddle only got us 43 miles; tired and hungry we were rewarded with our first sit down and served dinner since starting the ride.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We wanted to bike one more day for a day off in the next town, but the wind is projected to switch in the same direction we were headed. \u00a0 And since “our” mantra this trip is to take it easy, we opted to give our legs a break. \u00a0Tomorrow we will \u00a0show you the sights.<\/p>\n\n\t\t