Wednesday June 11, 2008
Rise & Shine! I got up a little later than yesterday simply because I knew a good chunk of my ride today would be downhill. Awake at 4:30am, my first discovery was that the Super (duper) 8 motel in Globe has a mix of both working as well as non-working electrical outlets. I was greeted this morning by a GPS unit that warned “battery low” even though I had plugged it in last night. With this warning, I had time to at least get some charge in it to carry me to Mesa, AZ today. Lesson learned: Do not take an electrical outlet for granted. Sometimes they are just “holes”.
Next, I opened the tiny refrigerator that was in the room to find warm drinks inside. A refrigerator is a really nice feature since I can buy drinks the previous night and be ready to go in the morning, thus avoiding a stop for drinks only a couple minutes into that morning’s ride. Well, last night I noticed it wasn’t working, and the young Indian girl behind the desk came over to the room, turned a timer on the back of the unit (what refrigerator has a timer???) and said “There you go. Your drinks will be cold in the morning.” The fact she admitted to never having seen a refrigerator with a timer on it before should’ve alarmed me to suspicion, but she seemed to have such confidence, and I was tired, so I went with it. Lesson learned: Trust no refrigerator with a timer.
Taking my time in preparing this morning so the GPS unit could charge, I still made it on the road by 6am-ish. Last night, I had walked into downtown Globe, a two block area with a few shops. After enjoying a couple Happy Hour beers at a 40-year old establishment “Under the Palms” bar filled with salty residents, I wandered outside to find an old pickup truck used partly as a drawing card to an adjacent store. I walked in to find a store filled with cool unique items. I explained to the owner, who had relaxed in a chair up front, that I simply couldn’t afford the weight of the items since I was riding a bike across the country. So instead, we talked for a while and I parted remembering his genuine smile and good wishes for the remainder of my trip. Barely down the road this morning, the same potentially 1948 Ford pickup had just turned onto the highway heading my way. Soon I saw the same big grin and an arm waving out of the driver’s side window silently wishing me well as I headed out of town. “Cool”, I thought. “Only in a small town would you see the same guy twice within only 12 hours.”
They say that Globe, Arizona is an old copper mining town (and even older silver mining town), while Safford, Arizona is a new copper mining town. The neighboring towns of Claypool and Miami located nearby Globe, were started to support the mining industry as well. Glad to see flat to slightly downhill roads, I made good time clearing each of these places.
Once through Miami, I found the job of climbing was to begin. Miami lies at 3,400 feet elevation, while the road I was climbing lead to Top Of The World, Arizona near the top of Signal Mountain at 4,600 feet. This steep path to God would’ve intimidated me at the start in Florida, but now I sip some water, crank down into a low spinning gear, and settle in without any expectation for speed knowing that sooner or later I will get there.
On top of the pass, I got a text from Willie Clausing, Audrey’s mom. She had noticed the winds were expected to be bad and offered a ride to Mesa, Arizona. I knew there were two mountain passes on today’s docket, and I wanted to earn any ride in a car I accepted today. Having earned the downhill side of this mountain pass road, I continued biking while evaluating the winds and enjoying the scenery as I went, anticipating a climb to the next mountain pass ahead.
Just east of the town of Superior, I found myself at the entrance of Queen Creek Tunnel built in 1952, replacing the 1926 Claypool tunnel, which resembled little more than a single path blasted through the mountain itself. Queen Creek Tunnel offered two lanes coming my way, while one lane led the way toward Mesa. Glad to be on the uphill side of this ¼-mile long tunnel, I turned on my flashing headlamp and my flashing tail light and started inside. It made to be a fast and wild ride rather than the hazardous uphill effort coming from the other side. (Check out the video at http://video.aol.com/video-detail/queen-creek-tunnel/789441012 and notice there is no shoulder space for bicycles inside the tunnel.)
The ride through the tunnel was capped by a flight across the Salt River arched bridge. Seeing a truck behind me, I thought he was being kind maintaining a slow pace and distance behind me. It was only at the end of the day that I checked the GPS and found my max speed was 70 mph. He wasn’t holding back. I was simply flying.
In the town of Superior, Willie and I coordinated a pickup location at Florence Junction. That would enable me to reap the downhill rewards and provide her some time to get there. After meeting her on the side of the road, we secured the bike to her car and drove by the Superstition Mountains on the 30 mile drive back to Mesa. The Superstition Mountains are the mysterious home of Jacob Waltz’s “Lost Dutchman Mine”. For some good reading, check out… http://www.prairieghosts.com/dutchman.html
Back at the relaxing home of Randy & Willie Clausing, after doing some laundry and enjoying a
home-cooked meal, I got together with a former Tektronix colleague, Chad Eby. Sharing laughs about “old times” as well as laughs about what has occurred to both of us since then, we enjoyed a few beers at Four Peaks Brewery near ASU before pausing our anecdotes, agreeing to meet again soon, and calling it a night.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Safford, AZ to Globe, AZ (79 miles)
Tuesday June 10, 2008
I was up earlier than I had been since my Dad woke me in highschool to help with frost protection when the freezing cold threatened his crop of strawberries. I woke at 3:30am, and was on the road by 4:40am. This time no flats found in the motel room and I could get started on time. Of course it is dark at 4:40am. The sun comes out at 5:15am-ish, so I was equipped with headlamp and flashing tail light.
Starting out it was about 64 degrees F. The road was slight downhill for the 20 miles my knees took to stop griping at me. I didn't want to leave today. I would've liked a day to rest, but Safford is overcrowded with copper mine workers, and the room I was in was reserved. It would've been difficult to find another room, and with the record high of 105/106F in Safford expected, I wanted out to higher ground.
After slowly giving up elevation from the 2,900 feet at Safford, 20 miles out at 2,500 feet it started to turn upward. Maybe my knees just wanted some challenges because they stopped their griping and went to work after that.
Distractions for me included some beautiful scenery along the way and continued songs via my Ipod. I didn't take too many photos today because I knew the road was largely uphill (then down, then back up, then down, then way back up, etc) and my pace would slow into the hours of threatening heat.
I rode through an Apache Indian Reservation. Stopping to get some drinks and a sandwich at Peridot on US Highway 70, I had a poor experience at the only convenience store there. I bought a large soda from the fountain and filled the largest cup with ice almost to the top since I was interested in the ice not the soda. I also bought two waters to transfer to my water bottles on the bike thinking i would drink the soda and then use the ice in my bottles. After filling one water bottle, I ran out of ice, so I thought he will let me get more ice as long as I use the same fountain cup. After asking "Is it OK if I just grab some more ice in this cup?"..."You will have to pay for more ice", I was told. Wow. I think they are still bitter about the whole cowboys and Indians thing. I wasn't about to support that, so I went iceless in that bottle. (Note: I saw a pallet of Cobra malt liquor being wheeled into the store as I left. Make your own call on that one, but know that the shoulders of the highway had many broken beer bottles on them.)
That story is evidence there isn't much to say today. Finally, I came to Globe at elevation of 3,500 feet. Temperature when I arrived was 93 degrees F, and I immediately rewarded myself with Dairy Queen on the way to the Super (Duper) 8 motel.
I am proud of two back to back long distance rides without a rest day in a while. Yesterday's 78 miles was topped by today's 79 miles of cranking a 100 pound bike (with gear) up the hills. Tomorrow, I understand there is great scenery and bridges between Globe and Apache Junction (near Phoenix metro area), and after a little effort to get started uphill, it is a nice drop most of the way, including riding through a long tunnel blasted through a mountain. Lucky for me, the slope of the tunnel is in my favor from this direction, otherwise I have been told it is unsafe from the other way.
Pics will be added for these pages when I am in Phoenix for a few days. Planning to leave there Monday June 16 with my friend Mike arriving from San Diego to join in the last leg of the trip.
I was up earlier than I had been since my Dad woke me in highschool to help with frost protection when the freezing cold threatened his crop of strawberries. I woke at 3:30am, and was on the road by 4:40am. This time no flats found in the motel room and I could get started on time. Of course it is dark at 4:40am. The sun comes out at 5:15am-ish, so I was equipped with headlamp and flashing tail light.
Starting out it was about 64 degrees F. The road was slight downhill for the 20 miles my knees took to stop griping at me. I didn't want to leave today. I would've liked a day to rest, but Safford is overcrowded with copper mine workers, and the room I was in was reserved. It would've been difficult to find another room, and with the record high of 105/106F in Safford expected, I wanted out to higher ground.
After slowly giving up elevation from the 2,900 feet at Safford, 20 miles out at 2,500 feet it started to turn upward. Maybe my knees just wanted some challenges because they stopped their griping and went to work after that.
Distractions for me included some beautiful scenery along the way and continued songs via my Ipod. I didn't take too many photos today because I knew the road was largely uphill (then down, then back up, then down, then way back up, etc) and my pace would slow into the hours of threatening heat.
I rode through an Apache Indian Reservation. Stopping to get some drinks and a sandwich at Peridot on US Highway 70, I had a poor experience at the only convenience store there. I bought a large soda from the fountain and filled the largest cup with ice almost to the top since I was interested in the ice not the soda. I also bought two waters to transfer to my water bottles on the bike thinking i would drink the soda and then use the ice in my bottles. After filling one water bottle, I ran out of ice, so I thought he will let me get more ice as long as I use the same fountain cup. After asking "Is it OK if I just grab some more ice in this cup?"..."You will have to pay for more ice", I was told. Wow. I think they are still bitter about the whole cowboys and Indians thing. I wasn't about to support that, so I went iceless in that bottle. (Note: I saw a pallet of Cobra malt liquor being wheeled into the store as I left. Make your own call on that one, but know that the shoulders of the highway had many broken beer bottles on them.)
That story is evidence there isn't much to say today. Finally, I came to Globe at elevation of 3,500 feet. Temperature when I arrived was 93 degrees F, and I immediately rewarded myself with Dairy Queen on the way to the Super (Duper) 8 motel.
I am proud of two back to back long distance rides without a rest day in a while. Yesterday's 78 miles was topped by today's 79 miles of cranking a 100 pound bike (with gear) up the hills. Tomorrow, I understand there is great scenery and bridges between Globe and Apache Junction (near Phoenix metro area), and after a little effort to get started uphill, it is a nice drop most of the way, including riding through a long tunnel blasted through a mountain. Lucky for me, the slope of the tunnel is in my favor from this direction, otherwise I have been told it is unsafe from the other way.
Pics will be added for these pages when I am in Phoenix for a few days. Planning to leave there Monday June 16 with my friend Mike arriving from San Diego to join in the last leg of the trip.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Lordsburg, NM to Safford, AZ (76 miles)
Monday June 9, 2008
I woke up early figuring I could get my stuff packed and either get into the continental breakfast early so I could start early or just have a little time to relax before a long riding day. Everything was set and I was about to load the bike, but first, I thought, I better check the tires like I have become accustomed to each morning.
I grabbed the bike pump and started for the front tire... FLAT! I looked at the back one and it wasn't. OK, a setback for time... one flat tire. I got the tire off, took the tube out, found the hole, retraced it to the tire and found a small wire (again) that had managed to get up in there. Patched, filled, and ready to go. I thought "I better check that back one, too". I found it to be 20-30 psi low and that wasn't a good sign last time in Houston when I wound up, later that day, changing the tube in a park after ridiculously just pumping it up that morning. OK, back tire off, tube out, found the hiole, retraced to the tire, another small wire.
Here is the lesson about Interstate travel by bicycle. The shoulder is dangerous. Not because of the cars going by on your left, but because of all the debris in the path ahead of you, including the thousands of small wires from the blown tire scraps laying all about. I actually said to myself yesterday when riding on I-10 and seeing all the tires which seemed an obstacle course at the time, "if I don't get a flat from this, I will be surprised". Well, I did. Two of them. So the flat count is up to 3 for the trip.
Out of Lorsdburg at 7:45am after scarfing down a less than spectacular contental breakfast at America's Best Value Inn. I was an hour behind whgat I had hoped for. With virtually no wind to battle for the first time in days, I made great time for the first 2 hours of flat riding. After 2 hours, I had made about 32 miles and crossed into Arizona. I had seen a Javelina (http://www.desertusa.com/magnov97/nov_pap/du_collpecc.html) along the way and he stopped on the side of the two lane road that is Highway 70 out in the middle of nowhere. Going for a better camera shot, I approached a bit closer, but stunned by the amount of luggage I am carrying, he ran off through a fence and out of view. So click the link. It is the best I can do.
At Duncan, Arizona, over an Orange Soda and a Snickers, I was told the road climbs beyond the "S-curve" ahead. Ooooh, the S-curve. How exciting.
They were right! Two miles out of town, the road began climbing. Working hard to get upo the hill, sweating and panting in heat that I would've been able to get ahead of without 2 flats in the motel room this morning, and eventually I reached 4,400 feet elevation at mile 48 of today's ride. After that, it was some sweet downhill cruising. I knew what the elevatiopn profile looked like for today's ride, so I knew the worst was over. I began taking photos and even some video while riding. It is some amazingly beautiful scenery in the Arizona desert, and riding it solo provided an overwhelming feeling of pride about what ground I have covered so far.
Almost 30 miles of downhill and flats, and I found myself passing through small towns of San Jose, Solomon, and then finally coming to Safford. Safford is the first town to offer lodging since Lordsburg, NM, and with the temps these days, camping is out of the question. It was 97F when I got off the bike. "How do you stand it?", my Dad proudly asked me yesterday on the phone during a post-ride debriefing. I thought about that question a while today. I think my answer is "I have no choice." After getting into today's motel (Days Inn) I got word of tomorrow's forecast: 106F for a high. So again, there is no reason to stay here. Hoping it gets cooler if I wait a day just doesn't work. Tomorrow I will try for an early pre-dawn start.
I woke up early figuring I could get my stuff packed and either get into the continental breakfast early so I could start early or just have a little time to relax before a long riding day. Everything was set and I was about to load the bike, but first, I thought, I better check the tires like I have become accustomed to each morning.
I grabbed the bike pump and started for the front tire... FLAT! I looked at the back one and it wasn't. OK, a setback for time... one flat tire. I got the tire off, took the tube out, found the hole, retraced it to the tire and found a small wire (again) that had managed to get up in there. Patched, filled, and ready to go. I thought "I better check that back one, too". I found it to be 20-30 psi low and that wasn't a good sign last time in Houston when I wound up, later that day, changing the tube in a park after ridiculously just pumping it up that morning. OK, back tire off, tube out, found the hiole, retraced to the tire, another small wire.
Here is the lesson about Interstate travel by bicycle. The shoulder is dangerous. Not because of the cars going by on your left, but because of all the debris in the path ahead of you, including the thousands of small wires from the blown tire scraps laying all about. I actually said to myself yesterday when riding on I-10 and seeing all the tires which seemed an obstacle course at the time, "if I don't get a flat from this, I will be surprised". Well, I did. Two of them. So the flat count is up to 3 for the trip.
Out of Lorsdburg at 7:45am after scarfing down a less than spectacular contental breakfast at America's Best Value Inn. I was an hour behind whgat I had hoped for. With virtually no wind to battle for the first time in days, I made great time for the first 2 hours of flat riding. After 2 hours, I had made about 32 miles and crossed into Arizona. I had seen a Javelina (http://www.desertusa.com/magnov97/nov_pap/du_collpecc.html) along the way and he stopped on the side of the two lane road that is Highway 70 out in the middle of nowhere. Going for a better camera shot, I approached a bit closer, but stunned by the amount of luggage I am carrying, he ran off through a fence and out of view. So click the link. It is the best I can do.
At Duncan, Arizona, over an Orange Soda and a Snickers, I was told the road climbs beyond the "S-curve" ahead. Ooooh, the S-curve. How exciting.
They were right! Two miles out of town, the road began climbing. Working hard to get upo the hill, sweating and panting in heat that I would've been able to get ahead of without 2 flats in the motel room this morning, and eventually I reached 4,400 feet elevation at mile 48 of today's ride. After that, it was some sweet downhill cruising. I knew what the elevatiopn profile looked like for today's ride, so I knew the worst was over. I began taking photos and even some video while riding. It is some amazingly beautiful scenery in the Arizona desert, and riding it solo provided an overwhelming feeling of pride about what ground I have covered so far.
Almost 30 miles of downhill and flats, and I found myself passing through small towns of San Jose, Solomon, and then finally coming to Safford. Safford is the first town to offer lodging since Lordsburg, NM, and with the temps these days, camping is out of the question. It was 97F when I got off the bike. "How do you stand it?", my Dad proudly asked me yesterday on the phone during a post-ride debriefing. I thought about that question a while today. I think my answer is "I have no choice." After getting into today's motel (Days Inn) I got word of tomorrow's forecast: 106F for a high. So again, there is no reason to stay here. Hoping it gets cooler if I wait a day just doesn't work. Tomorrow I will try for an early pre-dawn start.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Deming, NM to Lordsburg, NM (61 miles)
Sunday June 8, 2008
Remember Floyd Landis in the 2006 Tour de France??? He was making his way to the top of the leader chart until tanking badly only a couple days before the end. Most people counted him out. The following day was a miraculous ride. He blew everyone away that day and won the 2006 Tour de France. So miraculous it was nearly unbelievable, and lead to drug testing and eventual stripping him of the title months after the Tour was over. (NOTE: Floyd was framed. I could go on and on about how steroids work, how one must take them for a period of time to see any benefit, and how all previous tests were negative prior to a positive result from the French lab after yet another American won the Tour following retirement of Lance Armstrong.)
Anyway, I didn't win the Tour today, but it was a nice recovery from the near heat exhaustion finish I had yesterday. Instead of steroids I used Endurolytes, which helps to restore your body's electrolytes when working out in heat. Another 94 degree day today by the time I finished, so I was glad to have them (and this time use them).
The day began with a little continental breakfast talking with Cecilia, the desk lady at Day's Inn in Deming, NM. Cecilia told me about her son and how he may be moving to San Diego. At first supportive, then I learned more about her son. He is 17 and works in construction. He has a girlfriend and two kids with her. Wha??? Yep. Cecilia attributes it to "nothing to do in Deming". I think it is time to build a bowling alley or something. I then chose to reverse my supportive angle citing a couple friends who have moved from San Diego because it is difficult to get ahead there. I suggested she try to get her son to reconsider.
After a danish and cereal, I hit the road at 6:20am. It was cold, so I wore my arm warmers. Actually wore them all day as I rode 60 miles to Lordsburg. Interstate 10 is flat in this area, and stops only includes a Rest Area at mile 22 or so, the Continental Divide at mile 35, and then the finish.
Not alot to say today. This blog entry was more exciting than my ride today. Interstate travel is boring in a car and 10x as boring on a bike.
Many thanks to Pearl Jam, Art Brut, Son Volt, and the many others who made today tolerable. It was the first day I used my IPOD to listen to music. I knew I was saving it for something, and since I haven't seen too many dogs on Interstates, today was perfect for it.
ride stats later...
Remember Floyd Landis in the 2006 Tour de France??? He was making his way to the top of the leader chart until tanking badly only a couple days before the end. Most people counted him out. The following day was a miraculous ride. He blew everyone away that day and won the 2006 Tour de France. So miraculous it was nearly unbelievable, and lead to drug testing and eventual stripping him of the title months after the Tour was over. (NOTE: Floyd was framed. I could go on and on about how steroids work, how one must take them for a period of time to see any benefit, and how all previous tests were negative prior to a positive result from the French lab after yet another American won the Tour following retirement of Lance Armstrong.)
Anyway, I didn't win the Tour today, but it was a nice recovery from the near heat exhaustion finish I had yesterday. Instead of steroids I used Endurolytes, which helps to restore your body's electrolytes when working out in heat. Another 94 degree day today by the time I finished, so I was glad to have them (and this time use them).
The day began with a little continental breakfast talking with Cecilia, the desk lady at Day's Inn in Deming, NM. Cecilia told me about her son and how he may be moving to San Diego. At first supportive, then I learned more about her son. He is 17 and works in construction. He has a girlfriend and two kids with her. Wha??? Yep. Cecilia attributes it to "nothing to do in Deming". I think it is time to build a bowling alley or something. I then chose to reverse my supportive angle citing a couple friends who have moved from San Diego because it is difficult to get ahead there. I suggested she try to get her son to reconsider.
After a danish and cereal, I hit the road at 6:20am. It was cold, so I wore my arm warmers. Actually wore them all day as I rode 60 miles to Lordsburg. Interstate 10 is flat in this area, and stops only includes a Rest Area at mile 22 or so, the Continental Divide at mile 35, and then the finish.
Not alot to say today. This blog entry was more exciting than my ride today. Interstate travel is boring in a car and 10x as boring on a bike.
Many thanks to Pearl Jam, Art Brut, Son Volt, and the many others who made today tolerable. It was the first day I used my IPOD to listen to music. I knew I was saving it for something, and since I haven't seen too many dogs on Interstates, today was perfect for it.
ride stats later...
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Las Cruces, NM to Deming, NM (60 miles)
Saturday June 7, 2008
I woke up at 5am. I shouldn't have watched whatever mobvie that was on HBO last night. I turned it off before the end but it was already 11pm when I did that. Staying up "late" last night hurt me today, despite the fact 11pm in my pre-ride life was not late at all.
I got started riding at 6:45am after a good breakfast at the hotel. Taking Hwy 28 to Valley Road to US 70, I headed out of Las Cruces to I-10. On Hwy 70, the climb began. A girl on a bike got in front of me right before the climb. She was a ways ahead, but I could see my pace was equal to hers despite the fact she had no weight on her bike. But then I let her go. And go she did. I saw her later while I was on I-10 and she was returning to Las Cruces (presumably) on the airport frontage road to I-10. She yelled "Hey!" in an awakening way, yet supportive. I "Hey"-ed her back.
The ride was good through mile 40. I had ditched the extra 3L of water I had been carrying since Del Rio and the bike seemed more responsive today. After stopping at Aleka Flats and a cheesy gas station selling any trinkets (or "curios" as Holley in Comstock, TX would say) you might possibly imagine, I headed down Hwy 549 for the remaining 20 miles to Deming. But the winds and the temperature picked up. My pace was crippled to 6-9 mph by lack of sleep, and these other factors. The wind was from the west, directly in my face, at 13mph and gusting at 22mph.
Today was exhausting! I managed to get into the edge of Deming and found a car dealer. I parked the bike, walked inside, searched for a soda machine, and sat there in a stupor drinking Orange Fanta as well as bottled water as my body recovered. Bad day!
The 1.7 miles left to get to the Days Inn seemed difficult, but I rode slowly and steadily. My reward: a King size bed and an hour of not moving.
A little late lunch/early dinner followed by a Kmart (yep, can you believe they have one here?) run for drinks, and a blizzard at Dairy Queen and I am OK again. I will, no doubt, hit the sack early tonight. In fact, I'm signing off now.
Updates to other posts including photos are taking place when I have time, though it looks like Phoenix may be the time when some real solid updating takes place. Some new photos have been added and the "will add photos, please check back" has been removed from those posts. Enjoy.
Zzzzzzz
I woke up at 5am. I shouldn't have watched whatever mobvie that was on HBO last night. I turned it off before the end but it was already 11pm when I did that. Staying up "late" last night hurt me today, despite the fact 11pm in my pre-ride life was not late at all.
I got started riding at 6:45am after a good breakfast at the hotel. Taking Hwy 28 to Valley Road to US 70, I headed out of Las Cruces to I-10. On Hwy 70, the climb began. A girl on a bike got in front of me right before the climb. She was a ways ahead, but I could see my pace was equal to hers despite the fact she had no weight on her bike. But then I let her go. And go she did. I saw her later while I was on I-10 and she was returning to Las Cruces (presumably) on the airport frontage road to I-10. She yelled "Hey!" in an awakening way, yet supportive. I "Hey"-ed her back.
The ride was good through mile 40. I had ditched the extra 3L of water I had been carrying since Del Rio and the bike seemed more responsive today. After stopping at Aleka Flats and a cheesy gas station selling any trinkets (or "curios" as Holley in Comstock, TX would say) you might possibly imagine, I headed down Hwy 549 for the remaining 20 miles to Deming. But the winds and the temperature picked up. My pace was crippled to 6-9 mph by lack of sleep, and these other factors. The wind was from the west, directly in my face, at 13mph and gusting at 22mph.
Today was exhausting! I managed to get into the edge of Deming and found a car dealer. I parked the bike, walked inside, searched for a soda machine, and sat there in a stupor drinking Orange Fanta as well as bottled water as my body recovered. Bad day!
The 1.7 miles left to get to the Days Inn seemed difficult, but I rode slowly and steadily. My reward: a King size bed and an hour of not moving.
A little late lunch/early dinner followed by a Kmart (yep, can you believe they have one here?) run for drinks, and a blizzard at Dairy Queen and I am OK again. I will, no doubt, hit the sack early tonight. In fact, I'm signing off now.
Updates to other posts including photos are taking place when I have time, though it looks like Phoenix may be the time when some real solid updating takes place. Some new photos have been added and the "will add photos, please check back" has been removed from those posts. Enjoy.
Zzzzzzz
Friday, June 6, 2008
El Paso, TX to Las Cruces, NM (48 miles)
June 6, 2006
I woke at 5am with the intention to get pedaling by 6:30am. Again, morning activities take a while. You have to take advantage of the availability of a bathroom (more than once), pack the bags because you need stuff from them until time to go, prep breakfast (oatmeal, mmmm), do the bike check (tire air pressure, etc), then load the bike (and this takes some developed skills considering I am still lugging the 3L of extra water on the rear rack). Oh yeah, and then go use the bathroom again.
Getting out of El Paso wasn't much fun. Since yesterday was essentially a rest day, the hills on Mesa Street in El Paso were punishing. I knew it would be a flat ride from El Paso to Las Cruces, but within El Paso there are some hills. I am getting familiar with my smallest chainring up front rather than work my knees and legs harder than necessary in the second or third chainrings. Moving slowly but steadily up one hill in El Paso, I had a short exchange with a girl sitting at the bus stop. I said "slow mover, eh?" Her response: "Yep."
I found my way into New Mexico at 8am Mountain Time. (That's right: MOUNTAIN TIME. I am only one time zone away from being back drinking beers with my peeps in San Diego.) Following Hwy 28 to Las Cruces, there was a lot of agriculture along the way: flooded pecan orchards (I had no idea they do that), onion fields (never had I seen so many onions planted and I grew up on a produce farm), vineyards with tempting wine tastings, and a strange animal known as the alpaca (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpaca). As I was staring at the alpaca, an El Paso couple, Don and Grace, on bikes rolled up to me. "Now answer the question you've answered for everyone else so far" Don said, "where did you start and where are you going?" I responded "Florida to California." "Ah, the Southern Tier" he said knowingly. Clearly I am back on the Adventure Cycling Association route for the day and so people are wise to the route. Tomorrow will be different as I dodge the mountains and instead head to Deming.
Following Hwy 28 with some foresight of what I would see thanks to Don. After the tiny town of San Miguel, pecan trees lined both sides of the road. Picturesque is all I could think at the time. Such a sight could only be complimented by... oh yeah, there it was, Stahmann's store specializing in pecan candies, ice cream, and coffee. A couple treats later, I got back on the road the remaining 8 miles, passing through a cute town of Mesilla with shops and vineyards, and made it to the south side Las Cruces. Some may call me a high roller, but I'm staying at the Comfort Suites tonight. I found a couple dumps like those that I have already stayed at, but for $66 (special discounted rate pro-charity Johnny gave me) including breakfast and access to a computer (no library hunt for me today) I couldn't pass it up. I had lunch at the Gadsden Purchase Grill & Saloon where most people polled could not identify the alpaca I had photographed earlier. Incidentally, the Gadsden Purchase was completed in 1854 and allowed the US to purchase for $10 million (equivalent to 10 gallons of gas today) the land from Mexico than now makes up the southern border from El Paso to California. I read. You read. We learn.
I went to St. Clair Winery & Bistro tonight down the road in Las Cruces. The charming Erin, bartender, set me up with a DH Descombes Syrah (her alltime favorite) while waiting for my Pasta Danielle. (Hi Erin.) More learnin': New Mexico is the oldest wine producing region in the country. And the St. Clair Winery is the largest winery in New Mexico. I may even stop at the one in Deming tomorrow since Erin gave me advance notice that I'm heading right for it.
A schvitz in the hottub tonight and an early start tomorrow is predicted.
start time: 6:47am
end time: 11:30am-ish
time on bike: 3:29:30
mileage: 45.35 miles
avg speed: 13.09 mph
max speed: 28.90 mph
calories: 3406
conditions: 75-85F, flat near 3,900 ft elevation once out of El Paso
I woke at 5am with the intention to get pedaling by 6:30am. Again, morning activities take a while. You have to take advantage of the availability of a bathroom (more than once), pack the bags because you need stuff from them until time to go, prep breakfast (oatmeal, mmmm), do the bike check (tire air pressure, etc), then load the bike (and this takes some developed skills considering I am still lugging the 3L of extra water on the rear rack). Oh yeah, and then go use the bathroom again.
Getting out of El Paso wasn't much fun. Since yesterday was essentially a rest day, the hills on Mesa Street in El Paso were punishing. I knew it would be a flat ride from El Paso to Las Cruces, but within El Paso there are some hills. I am getting familiar with my smallest chainring up front rather than work my knees and legs harder than necessary in the second or third chainrings. Moving slowly but steadily up one hill in El Paso, I had a short exchange with a girl sitting at the bus stop. I said "slow mover, eh?" Her response: "Yep."
I found my way into New Mexico at 8am Mountain Time. (That's right: MOUNTAIN TIME. I am only one time zone away from being back drinking beers with my peeps in San Diego.) Following Hwy 28 to Las Cruces, there was a lot of agriculture along the way: flooded pecan orchards (I had no idea they do that), onion fields (never had I seen so many onions planted and I grew up on a produce farm), vineyards with tempting wine tastings, and a strange animal known as the alpaca (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpaca). As I was staring at the alpaca, an El Paso couple, Don and Grace, on bikes rolled up to me. "Now answer the question you've answered for everyone else so far" Don said, "where did you start and where are you going?" I responded "Florida to California." "Ah, the Southern Tier" he said knowingly. Clearly I am back on the Adventure Cycling Association route for the day and so people are wise to the route. Tomorrow will be different as I dodge the mountains and instead head to Deming.
Following Hwy 28 with some foresight of what I would see thanks to Don. After the tiny town of San Miguel, pecan trees lined both sides of the road. Picturesque is all I could think at the time. Such a sight could only be complimented by... oh yeah, there it was, Stahmann's store specializing in pecan candies, ice cream, and coffee. A couple treats later, I got back on the road the remaining 8 miles, passing through a cute town of Mesilla with shops and vineyards, and made it to the south side Las Cruces. Some may call me a high roller, but I'm staying at the Comfort Suites tonight. I found a couple dumps like those that I have already stayed at, but for $66 (special discounted rate pro-charity Johnny gave me) including breakfast and access to a computer (no library hunt for me today) I couldn't pass it up. I had lunch at the Gadsden Purchase Grill & Saloon where most people polled could not identify the alpaca I had photographed earlier. Incidentally, the Gadsden Purchase was completed in 1854 and allowed the US to purchase for $10 million (equivalent to 10 gallons of gas today) the land from Mexico than now makes up the southern border from El Paso to California. I read. You read. We learn.
I went to St. Clair Winery & Bistro tonight down the road in Las Cruces. The charming Erin, bartender, set me up with a DH Descombes Syrah (her alltime favorite) while waiting for my Pasta Danielle. (Hi Erin.) More learnin': New Mexico is the oldest wine producing region in the country. And the St. Clair Winery is the largest winery in New Mexico. I may even stop at the one in Deming tomorrow since Erin gave me advance notice that I'm heading right for it.
A schvitz in the hottub tonight and an early start tomorrow is predicted.
start time: 6:47am
end time: 11:30am-ish
time on bike: 3:29:30
mileage: 45.35 miles
avg speed: 13.09 mph
max speed: 28.90 mph
calories: 3406
conditions: 75-85F, flat near 3,900 ft elevation once out of El Paso
Marathon, TX Article: Biker Rides for Water in Africa
from the Marathon News Leader (Texas)
http://www.tcnewsleader.com/mnlnews.htm#biker
Biker rides for water
http://www.tcnewsleader.com/mnlnews.htm#biker
Biker rides for water
By R.M. GLOVER
MNL Editor
MARATHON -- On a good day Dan Altenburg can average 16 miles per hour but last Monday he slowed to 11 mph as he climbed the 1,300-foot elevation rise on the long stretch from Sanderson.
“I’m glad I left early,” Altenburg said, sipping a Tecate during lunch at the Oasis Bar and Restaurant.
He rides a disc-brake-fitted, stiff-leather saddled Giant OCR Touring bike, weighing in at 30 pounds.
Then add 60 pounds of gear and you can understand why his calves are the size of watermelons.
He left Saint Augustine, FL, almost two months ago.
“I’ll be in San Diego before you know it,” he said. His short-cut hair was graying but he didn’t look over 32.
He was sturdy built, not too tall and there was a certain alertness in his blue eyes.
Altenburg is raising money for a charity that drills water wells in Ethiopia and Uganda. For $5,000, he can buy one well.
“Mothers have to decide whether to give their babies a cup of dirty water or none at all.” Altenburg said. “Not an easy choice.”
Altenburg had been selling cell-phone circuitry for Tectronix.
“My boss was in the middle of giving me a raise when I told him I can’t do it anymore,” he said. “I knew what they expected from me and I wasn’t prepared to give ’em 100 percent. So instead of a raise I gave them my resignation.”
He went to Alaska and got involved in the Iditorod dog-sled race, becoming “by chance” the lead dog trainer for the first sled out of Anchorage on race day.
“There must have been 100 film crews out that day from all over the world and there I was leading the lead sled to the starting line,” Altenburg said.
He has one of those TV happy determined faces.
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