Up at 3:15 spent some time getting organized shedding some extra stuff to make room to carry more water.
Feeling good this morning but that Denny’s food is set an a little heavy on my stomach. Mental note that I learned last trip don’t eat greasy food.
Heading out at 4:30.
Big climb out of Silver city this morning woke me up fast.
6:35 AM. 27 miles down I’ve lost about 2000 feet of elevation an averaging 16 miles an hour it’s been nice 🙂 I just seen a river (small one) with the first running water I’ve seen this trip. Things are looking up
6:45 in Cliff New Mexico stopped at Chuck Farley’s tire shop for a Diet Coke and a bottle of orange juice.
8:15 still headed north on 180 40 1/2 miles down and about 25 miles to Alma. Suns out but it’s still nice.
9:30 hit 50 miles at the top of a big climb from the live pole Vista picnic area. Sun is out in full force now it’s getting hot but nothing like yesterday. About 10 more miles and hopefully there’s a Store—I need a cold drink.
10 :30 at 61 miles. stopped at the trading post in Glenwood. Got a 4 hot dogs, Turkey and cheese sandwich, 1 Arnold Palmer ice tea and 2 to take with me, 2 Perrier water and 1 to take with me, a gadorade to take and Diet Pepsi with ice. Sitting at a table inside here enjoying the air conditioner. My garmin says it’s 102, but I think that’s because it’s been directly absorbing the sun…no cell service here but I think it’s about 95. It’s hot, but not as bad as yesterday—-I can survive this.
The lady told me Stuart and Will stopped in a little earlier and we’re staying at the campground 1/4 mile up the road. I may stop by and say hi, but want to do more miles today—on second thought i didn’t stop since they’re riding all night they are probably sleeping.
1:00 finally left the trading post after a bit of a bike mishap. Had a puncture in the front tire that was being a pain to fix. Ended up having to put a plug in it. I think it leaked out all the tire sealant—not a good thing for a tubeless tire. The ”goat head” thorns here are merciless. Need to pick up some extra plugs and more tire sealant first time I run into a bike shop….which may be a while.
Topped Salic pass at 3:45 after climbing forever in scorching heat. 6,436 feet.
Came to Hidden Springs Inn at 4:50….would kill for something cold after drinking hot water for the past 3 hours. Closed—-only open on Sundays. Just sitting outside recovering a bit before doing the last 8 miles to Reserve. At least I have a nice tailwind out of the south to help me get there.
Its been one long, hot day. At one point my Garmin was registering 115.5 degrees. I had no cell service…I think it got up to only about 98, but either way it was hot, hot, hot.
The riders who started from Canada and are coming this way are having their own, opposite, issues to deal with. Here is a post from one of them today in the fb group.
“Tough tough challenges in the Canadian section. Mud bogs to my waist, high Rockies with mud and snow, cabin pass beautiful but big overflows on the road, wigwam bench slain with downed trees, the wall was misery – piles of mud and water flow with a downpour, Galton pass 2 miles snow but north side 6 miles of frigid postholing and hard snow. Phillips Galton road had 4 feet of snow over it. 15 riders I was with got to the border at near severe hypothermia. Epic year”
I can’t do another 100 mile day tomorrow in this heat. Planning my options to get to pie town in the next two days and hopefully get some relief from this.
And for some irony…I did the last 8 miles to Reserve. Pulled into town at 5:30….30 minutes before the trading post closed. Got a bunch of cold stuff to drink and some food. Called the motel in town and they didn’t have openings, but said I could camp out back or they did have a room at this other Hotel the Hidden Springs Inn about 8 miles up the road. I told them I just passed it and couldn’t do another 8 miles back there today, so would just have to camp. The lady volunteered someone with a truck to drive me and my bike back there if I wanted and I said yes. In a bed with AC tonight.
Pics:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/70rwns3n4qxjpuw/AAB963gw3wo1otovySBpVMsNa?dl=0
