28/10/14 – 13/11/14: Page, USA to Austin, USA

This is what a 15km straight road looks like. It’s a serious mental challenge. Darting across the desert landscape for Monument Valley. Kayenta, AZ, USA
We made it to Monument Valley, the scene of many a John Wayne film (and Tom Cruise…). Monument Valley, UT, USA
We were thinking of cycling through, but as you can see it’s not really road bike friendly. Monument Valley, UT, USA
Camping with a view. Goulding’s Campsite, Monument Valley, UT, USA
A lookout’s view of the Rhino encampment. The four of us camping amongst the RV’s enjoying yet another spectacular desert sunset. With the El Monte RV next door I’m feeling nostalgic about our family holiday here many years ago (picture the film “RV” – everything went wrong). Goulding’s Campsite, Monument Valley, UT, USA
The stacks catching the last of the wintery sun. Monument Valley, UT, USA
Camping under a starry sky. We’re working hard at convincing Reece that camping isn’t all bad. Will and Anna’s tent, Monument Valley, UT, USA
Stunning sunrise. Cottage cheese and bagels and an early start. Monument Valley, UT, USA
Crisscrossing state lines. Leaving Utah (the DRY state!) for the last time. Phew… Navajo Tribal Area, UT/AZ, USA
All smiles (for now…). Near Dennehotso, AZ, USA
Racing to reach the next store to refuel before the sun disappears. Really tough day into an arduous headwind. Red Mesa, AZ, USA
“Team Teckers”. Working together to fight the headwind. SO OPTIMISED. Near Red Mesa, AZ, USA
Wild Camping behind a desert store. Thorns and horse dung everywhere. Reece not happy. Red Mesa, AZ, USA
Another great sunrise, overshadowed by the steel sign flapping at 45degrees telling us we’ve got another day of strong headwinds. Red Mesa, AZ, USA
Starting to emerge from the desert and see some beautiful autumn colours as we reach the New Mexico border. Near Farmington, NM, USA
Confusing. Farmington, NM, USA
Climbing out of Farmington to bridge another massive gap to reach Albuquerque. Farmington, NM, USA
Riding route 66, the legendary cross-continental US highway. Near Moriarty, NM, USA
The end of a 203km day while fighting a chest infection. I’m feeling very much in need of a bed. Near Fort Sumner, NM, USA
This basically sums up our experience of New Mexico. Lots of nothing. Fort Sumner, NM, USA
Our first glimpse of the Texas State line. Nice to see them using lots of freight trains to get the nasty lorries off the roads. Texico, NM, USA
Ironically Reece and I had just been talking about how it now at last feels like we’re making some real headway across this massive country. Progress, TX, USA
The contrast between New Mexico and Texas is huge. Suddenly we’re surrounded by massive industrial farming and some of the largest dairies in the world. Swarms of birds in search of cattle food. Muleshoe, TX, USA
Interspersed between the farms are endless fields of nodding donkey’s. We’ve definitely made it to the oil state. Near Post, TX, USA
We stopped in the little town of Snyder for coffee and were soon in the thick of it being interview by the local press. They’re sending us a copy of the newspaper. Feeling like Celebs again. Snyder, TX, USA
When your truck is too big even for a Texas Motel parking lot, then it’s probably just too big. Everything in Texas seems to have been super-sized. Coleman, TX, USA
Winter has suddenly arrived, with the temperatures dropping at least 15degrees. It’s just above freezing (as you can see from the red noses). Steve & Steve gave us a good feed at their cafe and sent us away with some fudge cookies to fuel us through a cold afternoon. Thanks guys! Brownwood, TX, USA
The cold weather continues as we all brave a 170km dash for Austin. It’s so cold I can barely feel whether or not I’ve pressed the button to take the shot. Near Lampasas, TX, USA
Austin! The Texas State Capital Building. Will and I have now cycled 90% of the way around the world. This has always been one of the big milestones for us and it’s an unreal feeling to have finally made it here. Time for beers and some of Austin’s fabled live music. Austin, TX, USA