110 mi, 3,533ft gain, 58F - 95F /perfect for first 60 miles, then wind picked up with headwinds and cross breeze. Luckily turned side/tail wind for 20 of the end.
The first 30 miles of today’s ride was silent, large rolling fields in the high country of New Mexico. Even the cows looked happy. The roads were great smooth surfaced; the drivers were
cautious. Maybe one truck honked, oddly he was going the opposite direction. I donno.
It was here I rolled over 1,000 miles for this trip! Kinda a big mile stone for me and making my way across the country.
I did eat a bug that caused me to pause and cough a bunch. My eyes watered. It was not pretty. Ha. I’m fine, can’t say the same for the bug.
We stopped at the first SAG stop which was a location in the movie no country for old men. It’s an abondonned old gas station. https://youtu.be/opbi7d42s8E?si=vJjeT-osuQNRU85P They had mini donuts that I had to stop myself from eating all of them.
We rolled on and got the majority of the climbing out of the way today by the second SAG. *note the 700 ft gain difference in ride with gps and my garmin. Many other riders had the same. So I’m counting it. There were many hills we didn’t expect on the last leg. We had lunch there at the second stop and this is where the wind picked up.
Not going to lie, the 15-30 miles after that were tough. I think it zapped my energy more than I knew. We had side and headwind that caused me to lean into the wind to keep going straight. The weather forecasted 18mph winds with gusts 35mph. I believe it! So when I got to the 77 SAG of our 110 miles, I just wanted to fill up waters and go. I ate a small amount and headed out. I forgot to grab another shotblocks or something similar. That was my mistake that I would pay for around mile 105. I was so close to the hotel, but I got slow. I was on the verge of bonking. I managed to push through, and even stopped for a picture in town of a mural I liked of Route 66. Good reminder, eat!!
It’s been a VERY long time since I’ve felt that feeling of near bonking. I’m usually good at managing my food on rides and timing. The difference here is I’m managing eating a larger lunch at 2nd SAG and thinking I can’t possibly need 2 more items to finish.. but in retrospect, the wind and length/elevation of this route called for it. Again, lesson learned.
When I first started this blog and ride I thought I would keep tabs of what I ate daily on rides. I stopped day 2 because it was too challenging to remember, it caused me to think twice about eating, and honestly everyone’s body caloric intake will be so different.. so I haven’t done it since. Today my garmin says I burned 2,600 calories on my ride. I personally try to eat every hour, a waffle or similar.
The last 30 to the hotel was hillier than I thought it would be, as well as 10 miles of chipseal. You know by now how much I dislike chipseal. It’s the bike equivellant of chattering teeth. You hang on, watching your power stay the same yet your speed plummets. It’s demoralizing. I tried my best to ride the white line when possible and avoid the tire sized cracks in it. The relief and speed I gained when it ended about 15 miles to the end was wonderful. If only I had ate at that point. lol
Tomorrow is another big day of 95 miles. Going to bed early, heading to Texas where we lose an hour!
Total mileage to-date:
1,103.7 mi
Total elevation gain to-date:
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