Friday June 6
El Paso to Las Cruces: -200' and 55 miles TX Hwy 20 and NM Hwy 28
Saturday June 7
Las Cruces to Deming: +350' and 60 miles along I-10 and frontage roads
Sunday June 8
Deming to Lordsburg: -100' and 58 miles along I-10 and frontage roads
Monday June 9
Lordsburg Up US Hwy 70 to Safford: from 4,157 down to 3,000 ft elevation but with what in between? 73 miles of uncertain elevations on US Hwy 70
Tuesday June 10
Safford to Globe: +500' gain by end of day but a few spike hills and 79 miles on US Hwy 70
Wednesday June 11
Globe to Mesa, AZ: -3,400' but climb 2 passes first, 61-71 miles on Hwy 60 into Apache Junction, then University to Adobe Road to 8th Street
projected arrival to Phoenix: June 11 or 12 (if I need a rest day or winds become an issue and Ramon isn't driving by)
projected arrival into San Diego around June 25th (yep, it's getting within forecast reach)
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Marfa, TX to El Paso, TX (8 miles)
Thursday June 5, 2008
OK, it is not 8 miles from Marfa to El Paso! Here is the story...
I knew from the forecast that ridiculous winds were forecasted for the area. I was seeing 30mph winds coming from the NW projected. I was heading NW, as luck would have it.
But luck be a lady...
Maybe not a lady. The guy's name was Ramon Hinojos from Alpine, TX.
I was up at 4am. After a hearty oatmeal breakfast with Mike O'Connor, my accomodating host in Marfa, I left for Van Horn with his suggestion "go like hell until the town of Valentine". The wind was pretty light this early in the morning. The sky was completely black except for starlight. Equipped with my flashing strobe headlamp and flashing red tailight, I was cruising up the slight inclines of Hwy 90 toward Valentine. Already seeing mule deer and antelope, only 3 cars had passed me each likely puzzled by the flashing lights atop my head and bike until they were right up next to me. Ramon was so puzzled that he passed me heading west, then slowed down to take another look. He put it in reverse and I pulled up next to the truck.
"You having trouble", he asked?
"Nope, just biking" I said.
"Oh, you're pedaling. I wasn't sure. Those flashing lights got my attention, but I wasn't sure what you were." Ramon stated.
"Just pedaling man. I hear the winds are supposed to be crazy so I need to get as far as I can before they pick up. I better go." I said.
"Well, you want to just put the bike in the back?" he asked.
I hesitated. I had planned this route carefully. And I was up predawn, pretwilight, to get a jump on Mariah. But given the following I decided it was too good an offer to pass up...
1. It was 74 miles to the next "service" (place to get a drink, food, rest, help).
2. My front deraileur was making noises yesterday and I thought I had fixed it, but in the dark I wasn't testing it too much waiting for dawn instead. What if my fix didn't take?
3. During routine tire pressure testing this morning, the tip of the valve on the rear tube broke off when I was done pumping it up a bit. That meant that I could not close the valve, nor add air should I need to. Riding with that much weight on the bike without closing the valve seemed like it might cause air to escape. The next time I needed to adjust air pressure in the rear tire, the tube would need replacing. Not something I wanted to do in the dark.
4. Winds were projected at 30 mph from the NW. That would be brutal!
5. I didn't ask for a ride. He offered it.
I loaded the bike in the back and got in the truck. I told him I was going to Van Horn. He said he was going to El Paso which went right through Van Horn. As Van Horn approached, I was preparing to get out, but conversation with Ramon was good and I could tell he liked the company. He told me tales of growing up in Terlingua in Big Bend area, home of the first chili cookoff he said, and being one of 9 kids in his family. He continued on with stories from his younger days when he gauged distances to nearby towns based on consumed beers : "How far to Fort Davis?" "Oh, a 6 pack or so, but to get to Carlsbad, NM takes a case at least."
Turns out he is a 58-year old disabled vet having served in the Army in 1969 and 1970. With plans to be sent to Vietnam following his being stationed in Germany, he got in a car wreck. He now walks with a cane, and takes trips to Veterans Hospitals at great distances for other ailments. He goes to El Paso 4 or 5 times amonth for tests related to cirrhosis of the liver, which he tells me is terminal in his case. He offered to follow the bike route I intended to pedal, and with winds becoming obvious, I was not sure how I could refuse given the fact these winds could continue for days as far as I knew.
As this self-proclaimed "instigator" drove with his little 6-month old poodle hiding beneath a cooler of drinks and sandwiches in the back seat of his 2005 quad cab Chevy truck, we saw the fires in the Davis Mountains, a peculiar DEA blimp anchored to it's docking station on the south side of the highway, and we stopped at a Prada Marfa store that is nothing more than art, with a front door that does not open and will never be open for business. Following that, it was simply pecan tree orchards, some cotton farms, and a lot of what I was glad not to have passed on bike given the reward vs effort ratio today.
It would have taken me three days to get as far as he had taken me in a matter of a few hours. Appreciative, I arranged to buy him lunch after his doctor appointment. I had checked into a hostel for $20/night and would look over my intended route for the next few days since my schedule had just jumped ahead.
Following lunch with Ramon, I turned down his offer to take me further betting the winds would let up, and knowing I was in a cheap place should I need to wait it out a bit. I was glad to meet ramon and have promised to send him copies of the pictures I took on the road today.
I just checked the winds in Van Horn to see if I made the right choice today. 52 mph from the NW. I may have died today had I biked it. Thanks Ramon!
This afternoon, I took my bike to Crazy Cat cyclery and had the front deraileur adjusted and got as new tube installed, so the bike is raring to go again tomorrow. As raring as 110 pounds can be, that is.
start time: 5:30am
end time: 6:00am
total time on bike: 30 mins
mileage: 8 miles
avg speed: 13.12 mph
max speed:
calories: 870 cals
conditions: dark, cold (45F in desert low areas), relatively flat, wind not blowing yet
OK, it is not 8 miles from Marfa to El Paso! Here is the story...
I knew from the forecast that ridiculous winds were forecasted for the area. I was seeing 30mph winds coming from the NW projected. I was heading NW, as luck would have it.
But luck be a lady...
Maybe not a lady. The guy's name was Ramon Hinojos from Alpine, TX.
I was up at 4am. After a hearty oatmeal breakfast with Mike O'Connor, my accomodating host in Marfa, I left for Van Horn with his suggestion "go like hell until the town of Valentine". The wind was pretty light this early in the morning. The sky was completely black except for starlight. Equipped with my flashing strobe headlamp and flashing red tailight, I was cruising up the slight inclines of Hwy 90 toward Valentine. Already seeing mule deer and antelope, only 3 cars had passed me each likely puzzled by the flashing lights atop my head and bike until they were right up next to me. Ramon was so puzzled that he passed me heading west, then slowed down to take another look. He put it in reverse and I pulled up next to the truck.
"You having trouble", he asked?
"Nope, just biking" I said.
"Oh, you're pedaling. I wasn't sure. Those flashing lights got my attention, but I wasn't sure what you were." Ramon stated.
"Just pedaling man. I hear the winds are supposed to be crazy so I need to get as far as I can before they pick up. I better go." I said.
"Well, you want to just put the bike in the back?" he asked.
I hesitated. I had planned this route carefully. And I was up predawn, pretwilight, to get a jump on Mariah. But given the following I decided it was too good an offer to pass up...
1. It was 74 miles to the next "service" (place to get a drink, food, rest, help).
2. My front deraileur was making noises yesterday and I thought I had fixed it, but in the dark I wasn't testing it too much waiting for dawn instead. What if my fix didn't take?
3. During routine tire pressure testing this morning, the tip of the valve on the rear tube broke off when I was done pumping it up a bit. That meant that I could not close the valve, nor add air should I need to. Riding with that much weight on the bike without closing the valve seemed like it might cause air to escape. The next time I needed to adjust air pressure in the rear tire, the tube would need replacing. Not something I wanted to do in the dark.
4. Winds were projected at 30 mph from the NW. That would be brutal!
5. I didn't ask for a ride. He offered it.
I loaded the bike in the back and got in the truck. I told him I was going to Van Horn. He said he was going to El Paso which went right through Van Horn. As Van Horn approached, I was preparing to get out, but conversation with Ramon was good and I could tell he liked the company. He told me tales of growing up in Terlingua in Big Bend area, home of the first chili cookoff he said, and being one of 9 kids in his family. He continued on with stories from his younger days when he gauged distances to nearby towns based on consumed beers : "How far to Fort Davis?" "Oh, a 6 pack or so, but to get to Carlsbad, NM takes a case at least."
Turns out he is a 58-year old disabled vet having served in the Army in 1969 and 1970. With plans to be sent to Vietnam following his being stationed in Germany, he got in a car wreck. He now walks with a cane, and takes trips to Veterans Hospitals at great distances for other ailments. He goes to El Paso 4 or 5 times amonth for tests related to cirrhosis of the liver, which he tells me is terminal in his case. He offered to follow the bike route I intended to pedal, and with winds becoming obvious, I was not sure how I could refuse given the fact these winds could continue for days as far as I knew.
As this self-proclaimed "instigator" drove with his little 6-month old poodle hiding beneath a cooler of drinks and sandwiches in the back seat of his 2005 quad cab Chevy truck, we saw the fires in the Davis Mountains, a peculiar DEA blimp anchored to it's docking station on the south side of the highway, and we stopped at a Prada Marfa store that is nothing more than art, with a front door that does not open and will never be open for business. Following that, it was simply pecan tree orchards, some cotton farms, and a lot of what I was glad not to have passed on bike given the reward vs effort ratio today.
It would have taken me three days to get as far as he had taken me in a matter of a few hours. Appreciative, I arranged to buy him lunch after his doctor appointment. I had checked into a hostel for $20/night and would look over my intended route for the next few days since my schedule had just jumped ahead.
Following lunch with Ramon, I turned down his offer to take me further betting the winds would let up, and knowing I was in a cheap place should I need to wait it out a bit. I was glad to meet ramon and have promised to send him copies of the pictures I took on the road today.
I just checked the winds in Van Horn to see if I made the right choice today. 52 mph from the NW. I may have died today had I biked it. Thanks Ramon!
This afternoon, I took my bike to Crazy Cat cyclery and had the front deraileur adjusted and got as new tube installed, so the bike is raring to go again tomorrow. As raring as 110 pounds can be, that is.
start time: 5:30am
end time: 6:00am
total time on bike: 30 mins
mileage: 8 miles
avg speed: 13.12 mph
max speed:
calories: 870 cals
conditions: dark, cold (45F in desert low areas), relatively flat, wind not blowing yet
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Alpine to Marfa, TX (26 miles)
Wednesday June 4, 2008
Short day again but cool little Far West Texas towns (Trans Pecos towns, as they say).
Topics today:
Where the deer & the antelope play
Flat Tire, not mine... a PT Cruiser, and, of course, I stopped to help.
Marfa Highlights: Marfa Lights, Presidio County Courthouse, Hotel Paisano.
Where there is smoke there is fire: A fire threatens the Fort Davis mountains. I am staying on Hwy 90 to go around them.
Short day again but cool little Far West Texas towns (Trans Pecos towns, as they say).
Topics today:
Where the deer & the antelope play
Flat Tire, not mine... a PT Cruiser, and, of course, I stopped to help.
Marfa Highlights: Marfa Lights, Presidio County Courthouse, Hotel Paisano.
Where there is smoke there is fire: A fire threatens the Fort Davis mountains. I am staying on Hwy 90 to go around them.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Newspaper Article in my hometown paper
http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008806010316
Former Rapids resident bikes for water
_______________________________________
Dan Altenburg, 36, is on the adventure of a lifetime, and he is doing it for charity.
Altenburg, formerly of Wisconsin Rapids, is on a 2,300 mile-plus bicycle trip from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, and he hopes to raise $23,780 doing it.
"All of that money will go toward providing water for people in Uganda, Africa," he said.
He dipped his back tire in the Atlantic Ocean at St. Augustine, Fla., on April 25 and spent the Memorial Day weekend in Texas with friends. He hopes to reach San Diego by the Fourth of July.
"Most people bike west to east, but I wanted to end up in my adopted home town of San Diego," he said.
"I'm not into charities, but this one is different," Altenburg said. "There are some interesting parallels between this organization and who I am."
He has degrees in geology with a focus on groundwater.
"A single well will provide water for 400 people for 20 years," Altenburg said. "If I can raise $23,780, that's $10 a mile, that would be enough money to bring clean water to 2,500 people."
All of the money he raises will go toward the construction of four clean water systems in Uganda.
"In Uganda, 60 percent of the population lives without access to clean drinking water. The life expectancy there is 43 years," Altenburg said.
He has been traveling the back roads of America on a route provided by Adventure Cycling Association. He stays at campgrounds, motels and with friends along the way.
"I picked the southern route because I have several friends along that route," he said. "My biggest challenge is doing it alone. I'm a social person and it would be nice to be able to ride with someone."
Altenburg has traveled 1,060, about one third of the way, and his only problem has been a flat tire. He started out traveling 50 miles a day, and then upped it to 70 miles a day. Recently, he was slowed by the heat and hills of east Texas. He carries 50 pounds of gear on his bike.
He talks by phone to his parents here and his girlfriend in San Diego daily.
"Many of the friends I stay with along the way call to check on my progress," he said. Friends and family members keep also track of his travels on his Web site www.charitywater.org/getinvolved/promos/dan_altenburg.
"People I meet ask how I trained for this, but I didn't do much training," he said. "I'm an average Joe. I like to stay up late and I eat fried foods."
Altenburg is the youngest of Harold and Jean Altenburg's four children. He is a 1989 graduate of Assumption High School. He graduated from St. Norbert College, De Pere, in 1993 with a degree in geology, and earned a master's degree in geology from the University of Alabama. He worked in his field for four years. Most recently, he worked in sales for a technology company for more than six years.
One friend will meet him in Arizona and ride with him; others will meet him closer to San Diego.
So far he has raised $2,000 and realizes he needs to get the word out for more contributions.
"People hear about it by word of mouth," he said.
Anyone who would like to make a contribution may do so at Charity Water, 150 Varick St. 5th Floor, NY NY 10013, making a note on the memo line that it should go to the Dan Altenburg fund.
Nancy Quick is a correspondent and former lifestyle editor for the Daily Tribune.
Former Rapids resident bikes for water
_______________________________________
Dan Altenburg, 36, is on the adventure of a lifetime, and he is doing it for charity.
Altenburg, formerly of Wisconsin Rapids, is on a 2,300 mile-plus bicycle trip from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, and he hopes to raise $23,780 doing it.
"All of that money will go toward providing water for people in Uganda, Africa," he said.
He dipped his back tire in the Atlantic Ocean at St. Augustine, Fla., on April 25 and spent the Memorial Day weekend in Texas with friends. He hopes to reach San Diego by the Fourth of July.
"Most people bike west to east, but I wanted to end up in my adopted home town of San Diego," he said.
"I'm not into charities, but this one is different," Altenburg said. "There are some interesting parallels between this organization and who I am."
He has degrees in geology with a focus on groundwater.
"A single well will provide water for 400 people for 20 years," Altenburg said. "If I can raise $23,780, that's $10 a mile, that would be enough money to bring clean water to 2,500 people."
All of the money he raises will go toward the construction of four clean water systems in Uganda.
"In Uganda, 60 percent of the population lives without access to clean drinking water. The life expectancy there is 43 years," Altenburg said.
He has been traveling the back roads of America on a route provided by Adventure Cycling Association. He stays at campgrounds, motels and with friends along the way.
"I picked the southern route because I have several friends along that route," he said. "My biggest challenge is doing it alone. I'm a social person and it would be nice to be able to ride with someone."
Altenburg has traveled 1,060, about one third of the way, and his only problem has been a flat tire. He started out traveling 50 miles a day, and then upped it to 70 miles a day. Recently, he was slowed by the heat and hills of east Texas. He carries 50 pounds of gear on his bike.
He talks by phone to his parents here and his girlfriend in San Diego daily.
"Many of the friends I stay with along the way call to check on my progress," he said. Friends and family members keep also track of his travels on his Web site www.charitywater.org/getinvolved/promos/dan_altenburg.
"People I meet ask how I trained for this, but I didn't do much training," he said. "I'm an average Joe. I like to stay up late and I eat fried foods."
Altenburg is the youngest of Harold and Jean Altenburg's four children. He is a 1989 graduate of Assumption High School. He graduated from St. Norbert College, De Pere, in 1993 with a degree in geology, and earned a master's degree in geology from the University of Alabama. He worked in his field for four years. Most recently, he worked in sales for a technology company for more than six years.
One friend will meet him in Arizona and ride with him; others will meet him closer to San Diego.
So far he has raised $2,000 and realizes he needs to get the word out for more contributions.
"People hear about it by word of mouth," he said.
Anyone who would like to make a contribution may do so at Charity Water, 150 Varick St. 5th Floor, NY NY 10013, making a note on the memo line that it should go to the Dan Altenburg fund.
Nancy Quick is a correspondent and former lifestyle editor for the Daily Tribune.
Marathon, TX to Alpine, TX (32 miles)
Tuesday June 3, 2008
4 Trains
John the Bikeman
Liz Rogers, my generous host
4 Trains
John the Bikeman
Liz Rogers, my generous host
Sanderson, TX to Marathon, TX (53 miles)
Monday, June 2, 2008
I got started early again.. Yep, headlamp worn and flashing. It wasn't as early as I hoped, but there is a lot to do in the morning. Even being in a house last night instead of a tent, where I don't have to break down camp, time still seems to go fast as I pack my bags, etc.
The firtst 32 miles of today's route along Hwy 90 was a nice easy gradual climb. I gained 1,400 feet in 32 miles. Clearly that is not steep, and made for what could've been the most peaceful ride of the trip so far. No dogs, just the mountains of west Texas and some wildlife. After a while though, you look for progress, some sign you are getting there. All I had to work with was the County Line. I knew that at the Pecos/Brewster County line I 23 miles behind me and 32 to go. Brewster County greeted me with nice new asphalt vs some rough stuff that covers a good share of the roads here.
I laugh when I ride sometimes. In the openness, surrounded only by west Texas mountains, and often not seeing a car for miles, I laugh that I am really doing this. Of course, sometimes the laugh changes to dread when I am ready for the day to be over and it isn't, but that's the way it goes. Today to break up the ride, I stopped in at a picnic area again. Who uses these things out here? "Got any plans for Saturday? No?! I got it. Lets drive 300 miles. I know this nice picnic area of Hwy 90."
As I was riding along Hwy 90, to my left I saw a roadcut that revealed the vertical tilting rocks here. A sign close by told the story that these rocks are of the Ouchita Belt, of the same approximate age as the Appalacians, 275 to 290 million years old. Geology still fascinates me. I'd like to pick up a cool rock now and then and bring it with me, but the weight would kill me.
More topics later...
Linda Speares, the Oasis Cafe, Mark the reporter, and Paper-crete houses
The Historic Gage Hotel
I got started early again.. Yep, headlamp worn and flashing. It wasn't as early as I hoped, but there is a lot to do in the morning. Even being in a house last night instead of a tent, where I don't have to break down camp, time still seems to go fast as I pack my bags, etc.
The firtst 32 miles of today's route along Hwy 90 was a nice easy gradual climb. I gained 1,400 feet in 32 miles. Clearly that is not steep, and made for what could've been the most peaceful ride of the trip so far. No dogs, just the mountains of west Texas and some wildlife. After a while though, you look for progress, some sign you are getting there. All I had to work with was the County Line. I knew that at the Pecos/Brewster County line I 23 miles behind me and 32 to go. Brewster County greeted me with nice new asphalt vs some rough stuff that covers a good share of the roads here.
I laugh when I ride sometimes. In the openness, surrounded only by west Texas mountains, and often not seeing a car for miles, I laugh that I am really doing this. Of course, sometimes the laugh changes to dread when I am ready for the day to be over and it isn't, but that's the way it goes. Today to break up the ride, I stopped in at a picnic area again. Who uses these things out here? "Got any plans for Saturday? No?! I got it. Lets drive 300 miles. I know this nice picnic area of Hwy 90."
As I was riding along Hwy 90, to my left I saw a roadcut that revealed the vertical tilting rocks here. A sign close by told the story that these rocks are of the Ouchita Belt, of the same approximate age as the Appalacians, 275 to 290 million years old. Geology still fascinates me. I'd like to pick up a cool rock now and then and bring it with me, but the weight would kill me.
More topics later...
Linda Speares, the Oasis Cafe, Mark the reporter, and Paper-crete houses
The Historic Gage Hotel
Rest Day in Sanderson, TX
Sunday June 1, 2008
I didn't do much today. I DID notice my mood was greatly improved waking up and knowing I could stay put. These rest days are so useful! Not just resting the body but my mind, too.
The house I am staying in is a cute cottage style place, and has no TV. But it is great. Without TV, I am listening to my IPOD music on the IPOD stereo furnished here, and I am planning my route. Right now, if my plans stays intact, I should arrive into Phoenix June 15th. It feels good to have more than the route to El Paso planned, especially when, once again, I will be going off the ACA route.
So, I heard from Sally who was talking to Jessie who is Billy Sue's cousin, that Dairy King (not Queen) would be open today. Finding places open on Sundays is difficult out here, so I was excited. I was told Dairy King opens at 2pm on Sunday. After more than a few crossings of Sanderson Canyon on my bike to check, I found the real deal is that they are open from 11:30am until 2pm, and then 5pm to 8:30pm. These are the King's hours by which you must abide.
A cute little place, nothing special, but an OK burger, onion rings, and vanilla malt. The King had pictures of all his family members taped to the wall and window by the cash register. A Mexican family, so the window was nearly covered.
When I was out looking for open businesses, I met a man at the market. "We never know when SHE is going to be open. She has odd hours" people have said about the lady at the Market. I get the feeling she isn't well liked. But as I sit on a bench outside the store in 100 degree heat drinking my cold orange Crush, a short 50-ish mexican man says hello. The usual exchange about weather took place, and as his english broke down, we replaced the english words with spanish. It reminded me of my nephews in Mexico City creating a language all their own as they learned both English and Spanish. In any case, the man talked to me about my ride, and then told me that he plans to do something similar soon. He explained "you see, I was sick with a bad back. I told God that if he fixed my back, I would walk 120 miles" (to some area attraction I forgot). "He fixed my back, so now I gotta walk" he said. HE further explained he plans to have a support vehicle behind him so he can get a drink, etc. and that he will choose a cooler time to fulfill his promise. I hope he doesn't hurt his back with all that walking.
I didn't do much today. I DID notice my mood was greatly improved waking up and knowing I could stay put. These rest days are so useful! Not just resting the body but my mind, too.
The house I am staying in is a cute cottage style place, and has no TV. But it is great. Without TV, I am listening to my IPOD music on the IPOD stereo furnished here, and I am planning my route. Right now, if my plans stays intact, I should arrive into Phoenix June 15th. It feels good to have more than the route to El Paso planned, especially when, once again, I will be going off the ACA route.
So, I heard from Sally who was talking to Jessie who is Billy Sue's cousin, that Dairy King (not Queen) would be open today. Finding places open on Sundays is difficult out here, so I was excited. I was told Dairy King opens at 2pm on Sunday. After more than a few crossings of Sanderson Canyon on my bike to check, I found the real deal is that they are open from 11:30am until 2pm, and then 5pm to 8:30pm. These are the King's hours by which you must abide.
A cute little place, nothing special, but an OK burger, onion rings, and vanilla malt. The King had pictures of all his family members taped to the wall and window by the cash register. A Mexican family, so the window was nearly covered.
When I was out looking for open businesses, I met a man at the market. "We never know when SHE is going to be open. She has odd hours" people have said about the lady at the Market. I get the feeling she isn't well liked. But as I sit on a bench outside the store in 100 degree heat drinking my cold orange Crush, a short 50-ish mexican man says hello. The usual exchange about weather took place, and as his english broke down, we replaced the english words with spanish. It reminded me of my nephews in Mexico City creating a language all their own as they learned both English and Spanish. In any case, the man talked to me about my ride, and then told me that he plans to do something similar soon. He explained "you see, I was sick with a bad back. I told God that if he fixed my back, I would walk 120 miles" (to some area attraction I forgot). "He fixed my back, so now I gotta walk" he said. HE further explained he plans to have a support vehicle behind him so he can get a drink, etc. and that he will choose a cooler time to fulfill his promise. I hope he doesn't hurt his back with all that walking.
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