94.5 mi, 2,085ft gain, 60-94F/breezy
We rode out this morning knowing the road would be a busy truck filled road through NE Mew Mexico & into Texas. Very large trucks with feed or cattle. I’ve never ridden next to them, not exactly the same as riding next to a normal semi back in Phoenix. These have a strange airflow around them, most likely from the ventilation holes all over them. Best advice is to stay as far to the right as you can, yet leave a little room when the air flow hits you to swerve. Heehaw.
The first 20 miles flew by, we averaged around 22mph with a slight tailwind. We stopped for bathrooms at the one gas station on our 94 mile route. I bought a whole bag of harribu gummies to use the restrooms.. I ate them all on the ride. Those things are biking jet fuel.
We continued on to make it to the lunch spot around 52 miles into the ride. It was just after the Welcome to Texas sign! I stopped with a few others for a picture and to put my AZ yeti sticker on the post. Lunch has a nice shade tree to take my shoes off and chat with the others as we snacked.
Leaving the lunch stop I knew we had another 42 miles, and although the weather said tailwind, we got some headwind. I powered on solo enjoying the sun and open field views with cows. We did ride by 2 very large cattle yards towards town.. man do those come with bugs! Whoa! I had to try so hard to only breath out of my nose to avoid a mouth full of bugs. Luckily it was only a 5 mile stretch.
Unfortunately when I reached the last SAG I learned a rider had gone down on the rubble strips just outside of lunch. He is the first person I rode with for 2+ days. One of the strongest riders here.. it can happen to any of us. It is always scary, sad, emotional, physically painful.. I know it too well. The emotional drain of not getting to complete the rides you had planned, and the extended time healing can be some of the hardest days. I know he will come back from this, but I also remember the toll of the crashes I’ve had on me, my cycling goals, and my family. It saddenes me to the core. I wish him all the healing vibes I can muster. This has the group feeeling this too, we are all in this crazy trip together. Having someone leave is heart breaking. Until we ride again.
Total mileage to-date:
1,198.2
Total elevation gain to-date:
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