Diff is most of the roads here in Texas are fairly smooth. A lot of chipseal, but for the most part you can go as far as your fear will let you.
I’ve done some crazy stuff on bikes, and somehow I still sit here and tell stories. Nowdays I mostly ride off-road, my best road days are behind me. Did the Hotter’n Hell Hundred ten times I guess, some other notable rides around here. A couple of 150s and one 24-hour. Made 243 miles on that one, RAAM qualifier, came in 4th overall. That was 20 years ago, couldn’t do that now if my life depended on it.
Scaredest I ever felt was down on the River Road in Big Bend NP down along the Rio Grande. Came around a curve on that old gravel road and ran into a big old hombre standing behind an octotillo with his arms crossed, just glaring at me. I wasn’t sure what was about to happen, I mean I was a few hundred meters from old Mexico. I rode by without making eye contact and went on my way. Like a fool, most of my time in the Chihuahuan desert has been solo, but I always liked it that way.
Nobody ever said I have good sense. But I have had some fun times, some death defying times, in my day. I don’t regret none of it.
Smart, hell no, but epic. Hell yeah!
Geez I wish I had that kind of energy any more. It sucks getting old. Lord calling me to Him, saying "You ain't long for this world, and you got other priorities."