Trans America Cycling Day 12 - Lordsburg, NM to Deming, NM
The link to today's route and statistics is found here.
Cyclists don't put away your winter clothing yet. Today was downright cold. It was overcast all day with temperatures in 50's F, wind over 10 mph and even some raindrops thrown in for good measure. Yet it was a great day, because any day cycling is a great day.
We rode on Interstate-10 about 38 miles today. The interstate shoulder was very rough for the first 12 miles, so rough that holding a speed of 14 to 15 mph was hard work. It was so rough that when riders in the rear of the first paceline ran over a dead coyote on the shoulder, it wasn't that big of a deal as compared to all the other bumps in the road. It's hard calling out a dead coyote to warn other riders in the paceline. If a rider calls out "coyote," then other riders behind are liable to look off into the scrub bushes to the side to spot a live coyote, and thump. One doesn't expect to ride over one, says one who left tread marks in the dead coyote today.
Below is a paceline riding the I-10 shoulder further up where the shoulder was not so rough. You can tell that it is Roberto in the lead, because of his Goofy helmet topper. Behind are Randy, Kristin, Ahnie and Ray. To the rear of the line is a piece of shredded truck tire, a medium sized piece. When riders in the paceline see a large piece of tire ahead, they yell out "tire" loudly to warn the riders in the rear.
Because of all of the pieces of steel reinforcement wire from shredded truck tires on the I-10 shoulder, there were many flats today caused by wires from the shredded tires piercing through bicycle tires. Known flats include Jim (3, a hat trick), Kristin (2), Randy (2), and Roberto (1).
The award for the athletic feat of the day probably belongs to Ahnie. She was towards the rear of a paceline when she was surprised by a 3 foot length of 4x4 lumber in front of her lying at an angle on the shoulder. She somehow stayed upright while riding over the 4x4, while riders behind her were able to swerve to avoid it. Ahnie gets extra style points for riding over the 4x4 with one hand on the handlebars, as she was pointing to other obstacles with her other hand. However, she admits to not having a clean landing after the stunt, so judges deducted points and gave her an 8 for the maneuver. Those behind her in the line were very happy with her dexterity and skill in staying upright. There is a lesson to be told here though. For such a dangerous obstacle there needs to be an emphatic and loud call out with echos further back to warn riders even further back in the line. If that is not done, then don't ride tight.
Cyclists bundled up today at the SAG stop, which was situated at a pavilion at a Rest Area off of the interstate. Near the pavilion was a warning sign to heed seriously.
If you wanted a little something besides SAG food, there were not too many choices along the route.
Kip decided to take matters into his own hand and arranged a meal down the road. Dave Crozier, Texas 16th Division Commander American Legion, invited cyclists to an American Legion BBQ in El Paso on April 15. Details to be worked out with Larry.
New Mexico is renowned for its chiles, both green and red. Ray found a place to get dried New Mexico red chiles. The sign behind him shows red chile ristras. One can hang a string of red chiles up in the fall to dry, use it for a decoration and later eat it. It's a big in the Christmas culture in New Mexico. Tomorrow we will see dried ristras for sale in Hatch, NM where all things chile are for sale, and you can also find stores from Hatch selling on the internet.
Cyclists don't put away your winter clothing yet. Today was downright cold. It was overcast all day with temperatures in 50's F, wind over 10 mph and even some raindrops thrown in for good measure. Yet it was a great day, because any day cycling is a great day.
We rode on Interstate-10 about 38 miles today. The interstate shoulder was very rough for the first 12 miles, so rough that holding a speed of 14 to 15 mph was hard work. It was so rough that when riders in the rear of the first paceline ran over a dead coyote on the shoulder, it wasn't that big of a deal as compared to all the other bumps in the road. It's hard calling out a dead coyote to warn other riders in the paceline. If a rider calls out "coyote," then other riders behind are liable to look off into the scrub bushes to the side to spot a live coyote, and thump. One doesn't expect to ride over one, says one who left tread marks in the dead coyote today.
Below is a paceline riding the I-10 shoulder further up where the shoulder was not so rough. You can tell that it is Roberto in the lead, because of his Goofy helmet topper. Behind are Randy, Kristin, Ahnie and Ray. To the rear of the line is a piece of shredded truck tire, a medium sized piece. When riders in the paceline see a large piece of tire ahead, they yell out "tire" loudly to warn the riders in the rear.
 |
| Paceline rides on shoulder of I-10 |
Because of all of the pieces of steel reinforcement wire from shredded truck tires on the I-10 shoulder, there were many flats today caused by wires from the shredded tires piercing through bicycle tires. Known flats include Jim (3, a hat trick), Kristin (2), Randy (2), and Roberto (1).
 |
| How many cyclists does it take to change a tire? |
 |
| John helps Randy with his first flat |
The award for the athletic feat of the day probably belongs to Ahnie. She was towards the rear of a paceline when she was surprised by a 3 foot length of 4x4 lumber in front of her lying at an angle on the shoulder. She somehow stayed upright while riding over the 4x4, while riders behind her were able to swerve to avoid it. Ahnie gets extra style points for riding over the 4x4 with one hand on the handlebars, as she was pointing to other obstacles with her other hand. However, she admits to not having a clean landing after the stunt, so judges deducted points and gave her an 8 for the maneuver. Those behind her in the line were very happy with her dexterity and skill in staying upright. There is a lesson to be told here though. For such a dangerous obstacle there needs to be an emphatic and loud call out with echos further back to warn riders even further back in the line. If that is not done, then don't ride tight.
Today we rode over
the continental divide near the interstate. The terrain looks flat at the
divide sign. After the ride one could look to the Strava profile to see
that there was a high point. The watershed on the west side of the continental divide flows into the Pacific Ocean, and the watershed on the east side flows into the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.
 |
| Kristin takes selfie at 4,585 foot Continental Divide and others join in |
 |
| All are bundled up at the rest stop on this cold day |
 |
| Being from Oklahoma, Barry knows his rattlesnakes |
 |
| What no sandwiches for the Fab 4? |
 |
| Kip talks Texas barbecue American Legion Division Commander |
 |
| Ray likes it hot |
News flash: Remember all of those majestic saguaro cacti that we rode through in the Sonoran Desert? Here's an item from this mornings television that takes the cake.
Park rangers are micro-chipping Sahuaro cacti because so many people are stealing them fro National Monument. A 5’ cactus sells for $500. Monument has a staff of rangers whose primary job is to protect the cactus from theft.
Park rangers are micro-chipping Sahuaro cacti because so many people are stealing them fro National Monument. A 5’ cactus sells for $500. Monument has a staff of rangers whose primary job is to protect the cactus from theft.
ReplyForward
|
Comments
Post a Comment