Welcome to Texas...where everything is BIGGER.

While on SUS '12 we will bike through Texas, bip up to Oklahoma for a hot second and then dip back down in to Texas, making it the only state we bike through on two separate occasions during the summer. Things I expect from Texas, based on stalking blogs from last years crew, and my own personal knowledge include: bangin' BBQ (we have a rider looking up all the Diner's Drive-In's and Dives we'll pass along the way), wicked headwinds & a few of the best hosts we'll encounter all trip. Apparently there are a few who have hosted B&B'ers since the beginning & their generosity never fails.

Without further ado...

Carthage, TX

• Carthage is home to the  Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.
• Its city sign boasts the phrase "Best small town in Texas" & its website claims it to be the gas capital of the U.S.
• Jonathon Anderson donated the 100 acres that created the town of Carthage in 1848.

Athens, TX

• Athens boasts the title of "Original Home of the Hamburger" as well as the "Black-Eyed Pea Capital of the World".
• Over 17% of the towns population identifies with being Hispanic or Latino. Despite the Southern Nature of our trip this is the first city we will visit who has a Hispanic population greater than 5%.
• Barring any more route changes we will be in Athens on the day of their Juneteenth Rodeo. & I love me some rodeo.

We'll save Dallas & the rest of Texas for another day (or 2). In the meantime, it's almost my 22nd birthday. If you haven't donated to the Bike & Build cause yet what better gift to me than a donation!? Anything helps, but $22 could be the golden amount. Haha. I've raised about $2500. I don't have an exact total, as I do not have the amount raise from the Applebee's fundraiser yet, but still, $2000 more to raise & only 50 some-odd days to do it. Never for get the old saying "Today is a great day to donate to Bike & Build!"

CLICK HERE TO DONATE!