“Is this the way to Amarillo? Every night I’ve been hugging my pillow dreaming dreams of Amarillo…” – Tony Christie.
“But outside of Amarillo, he found his thrill, I’ll tell you, oh, I lost him to a jukebox and pinball machine.” – Emylou Harris.
And now. The moment you’ve been waiting for. Yes. It’s the HMwSB’s editorial staff’s (of one) first installment of “The Random and Incomplete Cyclist’s Guide to Your Texas Cities.”
And our first city is…
Amarillo!
One and half hours (by car) to Amarillo.
One and a half hours and four seconds (by car) to Amarillo.
The city known the world over for helium, free 72 ounce steaks and half buried Cadillacs also has…
Bike lanes!
A smattering, indeed, but more than when I rode here in the early 80’s. I was told, repeatedly, Amarillo motorists seem to think the bike lanes are actually skinny car lanes.
Bike lane or skinny car lane with pretty picture?
A rail trail!
Hey, why conserve the historic rail bed when you can level it and make a winding sidewalk that’s pretty much useless for real travel? I dunno. No problem. I saw way more bike lanes than bike commuters.
Rumor has it there’s been an idea afloat to expand this trail fourteen miles west to Bushland, Tx. Unfortunately, the rumor also has it there’s a land dispute between business interests at the edge of Amarillo preventing it from happening. Too bad.
A Kick Ass Bike Shop!
Between the Boneshaker in the window and hearing the sound of pool balls breaking upon entering the Bicycle Depot, I knew I was in the right place. No new bikes here. All bikes are rehabbed rides of varying age. In business for over nine years, the owner, Randy Regier, is a personable fellow and loaded with local info. Be sure to stop by, say hi and shoot a round.
And, next, just so we don’t make like Oprah and get sued by some big flatland cattle raising interest…
Post Ride Beef!
When you get tired of your free post ride 72 ounce steak why not try an entirely different beef based food item.
Mmmmmm. Beef burger barrel.
Other Random Amarillo Facts!
- Percentage of population claiming Yugoslavian ancestry – 0.2%
- 2004 Political Contribution breakdown. Republican – $592,648 Democratic – $60,100
- Self proclaimed, “Helium Capital of the World.” Seriously.
- Home of Pantex. Final assembly and dis-assembly point for America’s nuclear arsenal.
- In 2006, an incident occurred at the Pantex nuclear facility that almost set off a nuclear explosion. Fun!
- Amarillo area known by porn-like title of “The Golden Spread”.
Bonus but probably useless touring tip!
In closing, if you’re riding through on your fully loaded Long Haul Trucker or you are a fully loaded long haul trucker, be sure and stop by the “Jesus Christ is Lord Not a Swear Word Travel Center” at the intersection of Interstate 40 and Pullman Road. Tell em Satan sucks for me.
Well, it’s time to head back to Austin now. We hate to go. Really we do. Until next time, “See ya’ll later!”
“Amarillo, Amarillo. Fly to Amarillo.” – American Airlines radio commercial. 1992
“I ain’t got a dime, but what I got is mine. I ain’t rich, but lord I’m free. Amarillo by morning, Amarillo’s where I”ll be.” – George Strait
Hard Men With Soft Bellies 