BikerAl Across America 2018

 It rained off and on all day yesterday for our rest day which was fine.  Today was beautiful but very chilly.  37 degrees when we rode out of town.  I had so many layers of clothes on and was still chilly on the downhill.  I was able to shed a couple layers when we got to the 1000 foot of elevation climb.  That was a real pass for about four miles.  But, boy, at the top, I had to put everything back on.

We did have some nice scenery today.  Saw the hills up at the top for many, many miles.  These others as the day went on.

Went through a town called Madrid, only it is pronounced Mad Rid.  It was very close to the bottom of our long climb.  A very cutesy, artsy town.  I couldn’t resist the purple building.

I tho’t today was a tough day and several of the guys complained, too.  So I didn’t feel so bad.  Our biggest climbing day was 3700 feet and today we did 2900 so it was still tough.

53.4 miles today . 5275.5 total

My post for today.  Back on the road tomorrow.

I have to say Jared is one of my favorite people.  Always so upbeat and positive, has a great sense of humor, and has lived an interesting life.

He started in high school with the army reserves and became a medic.  Once out of the army, he took several different courses thinking he might want a field in medicine.

He did earn a degree in Kinesiology from Univ of MN with a minor in swim coaching. He also got an Ace Certification as a personal trainer.

Not sure what he really wanted to do, he earned a Computer Programming Certificate in visual basic from a computer and business school.  He never used that in the work force but his general knowledge of computers has come in handy over time.  He said he would have loved to be a professional student because he just loved learning things, eventually trying to find his niche.

He worked for an aquatic center in the Lafayette Country Club for 21 years where he taught swimming, was a personal trainer and coached a swim team.

Around 2010, he started  biking to work and became hooked on cycling.  He decided to bike a century on a mountain bike not realizing just what that entailed.  It took him 13.5 hrs but that did not dampen his love for cycling.

He then decided to ride the Southern tier, solo – self supported.  He took a bicycle maintenance class, built his own bike with help from a friend, and hit the road.  He made it to Phoenix but was hit by a car and stayed in a hotel for a couple days.  Since he only had 5 wks to complete his ride, he had to quit because he didn’t have time to finish.

Not wanting to give up, he checked into Adventure Cycling’s leadership classes to become a leader of organized trips.  Of course, he passed and was offered a leadership position while riding on another of his solo rides.  His second solo ride was to take him from MN to ME down the Atlantic Sea board and across the Southern tier to LA.  But another bike accident in Philadelphia kept him from finishing this trip. Before starting out on this trip, he gave his boss 9 month’s notice, sold his car, got rid of all excess stuff, and stored the rest at his parent’s place.

After receiving notice of acceptance for the adventure cycling job, he went home and got his doc’s ok and accepted the southern tier leader job for the fall of 2015 and then the job for the trans am tour in 2016.  Adventure cycling liked him so well that after that second tour, he got to pick a tour of his choice and chose rte 66 for this year.  Are we ever lucky.

Between his two leader jobs, he had about 12 months to do something and always thought driving a semi would be fun.  So he enrolled in Prime’s CDL license course, passed and did two months training and then ‘drove truck’ for 10 months, racking up 134,000 miles while living off diner food.  Consequently, he can back the adventure cycling trailer into any spot required.  I am impressed.

He has no regrets of his life choices.  He has done a lot of things and most importantly learned from touring that people are fabulous and most are envious of what we do.

He now wants to spend some time doing things for himself. He wants to go back to athletic club and train for an Iron man triathlon, get back into bikini shape, and  build up his savings. He has a goal to ride 50 miles in all 50 states before he turns 50 and had already done 32.  He is 43 years old and will surely accomplish that.  Adventure Cycling his lucky to have Jared as a leader.  So Glad he is on this trip.

“Nowhere. I found the middle of it”

Well, this is the second time I”he tried to do this. I tho’t my first blog posted but according to my viewing, it did not.  This really frustrates me more than you know.  I can’t type exactly the same thing twice.  But here goes.

I slept better last nite in the KOA cabin I rented.  I woke up and decided to bite the bullet and rode today even though I still hurt, but not quite as bad as yesterday.  I did ok but I felt every bump and cattle guard I went over.  Just glad we didn’t have really rough roads today.  They were quite smooth.

Only took one picture early this morning.   Just not much of interest.

We did follow a big mesa for 20+ miles from one end to the other and then climbed a small pass to the other side.  The pass was very small compared to what I”ve climbed in OR, WA, and WY.

Today was our most elevation gain in one day for this trip.  I didn’t think it was much but several people complained.

Today, I saw plants I recognized from home.  Rabbit brush, Bitter brush and even sage brush.  Starting to recognize some of the vegetation.

When I got into town, I was sure I was lost.  I waited for some other riders to show up so I could follow them and I was right on route.  I’m just so insecure in the cities.

65.6 miles today.  5232.1 total

Couldn’t sleep at all last night cause I hurt so bad.  Could only lie in one position.  Long, painful night.  Obviously not riding again today.  I can’t bend over, pick up anything heavy, and it hurts to sit down.  Don’t ask me why.  The pain in my chest seems to radiate out in all directions.  I’m hoping a day of rest will help immensely.  I’m starting to feel like a real woose.  Why does all this stuff happen to me.  Rhetorical question.  I have been icing and I’m sure I have NO cracked rib.  Just severely bruised.

There is a feature called the Blue Hole here in Santa Ross.  It is an artesian spring, 80 feet deep with a constant temperature of 62 degrees.  Just looks like a big pond.

Forgot to mention the cholla cactus fields I passed yesterday.  Saw them again today.  They stand 3-4 feet high.

Also had trouble uploading pictures but these two of Cuervo were good.  The only building in town and Cuervo Rd that I complained about.  Everyone complained about it.

I went to the closest restaurant last night to eat and this was on the backs of the chairs at the counter.  We didn’t cook because grocery stores are sparse and so is their selection.

It rained during the night so everything was super soaked this morning.  I had left my rainfly door open for ventilation so when I got up to go to the bathroom, my feet were wet.  I didn’t hear the rain because it was a heavy mist.

It was very foggy for about half the ride this morning and eventually the sun came out.  I missed a good ride.  There was a variety of scenery from Texas Plains to cholla fields, to nice wooded areas.  Throw in a few mesas and buttes and it was pretty.

I have to say, I have gained insight to what our leaders go through to provide for us.  Jared went to five different establishments this morning just to find our requested snacks, drinks, and lunch and breakfast goodies.  Then when we got to our camp, the group tent site they gave us was too small, no grass, and we would have been right up next to other rv’s.  So he went back to the office and we got a better site.  Their job is not easy.  But they always come through for us.  Five stars for both Jared and Johnny.

I bit the bullet and paid for a cabin for tonight in hopes that I can sleep sitting up.  I can’t roll over so maybe this will be better.  I hope so.  I want to ride tomorrow.

0 miles today

Last night’s dinner went over well.  Not much left which is always a good sign.

In the middle of the night, a cold front moved through and lowered the temps about 15-20 degrees.  Blessed.  Easy to sleep and nice to ride.  For the first time, I wore my leg and arm warmers but soon had to take them off.  Riding the hills, even if they are just gradual, really heats me up.  And the cold front turned the wind around so it was basically a tail wind all day.  Hallelujah!.  My knee was happy today.

The terrain changed constantly and there was lots to look at today.  The trees were a welcome sight.

The soil is red here so all the waterways are pretty, I think.

Parts of route 66 here in NM don’t seem to be used much.  As you can see, the grass is encroaching.

This fellow, a tarantula, was on the road today.  By the time I stopped and got my camera out, he was headed for the grass.  One of his buddies wasn’t so lucky.  Splattered on the road.  And I have seen several big snakes the last week smashed on the road.  Didn’t know they could make such a mess.  But they were probably two inches in diameter.  Just glad I didn’t see a live one.  I don”t know for sure but I’m guessing they were rattlers.

Went through a town called Cuervo.  I was thinking Cuervo gold tequila but I don’t think so.  There was absolutely nothing there.  However, Cuervo Mesa was right before it.

And Cuervo Butte was to the north.

When we got to Cuervo, we were to go under the I 40 overpass on Cuervo Rd for 5-6 miles.  It turned out to be mostly gravel.  A local said they quit maintaining it a while back so it was rough and not very pleasant.  And seemingly went on forever.

I felt really good about the ride today.  And then when I got to camp, I was in loose gravel and my bike started to go over and I couldn’t get unclipped from my pedals.  So over I went on my right side.  It is always on my right side.  I tried to avoid falling hard on my bad knee and consequently took the brunt of my fall on the right side of my chest with my fist.  It hurts like neck.  Hurts a little when I breathe but I’m sure I didn’t break a rib.  But I bruised the heck out of my right breast.  Brought tears to eyes.  I expect it to turn black and blue because it is really bruised.  Hurts to bend over.  Hope the ride tomorrow isn’t too rough.  Could be a painful day.

66.4 miles today. 5166.5 total

We went to bed last night to a ferocious wind that never gave up all night.  I almost got out of my tent to see if something came loose because  everything was flapping so bad.  Others said similar things.  I was awake all night listening to that and all the interstate traffic.  So I decided I was not riding today.  My knee feels swollen and puffy and we had to ride 20 miles on the interstate today.  I just didn’t think I could safely push my knee, deal with headwinds and big trucks, and come out ok.  So I sagged.  When the first strong riders came in, they said it was awful.  No one seemed to hold it against me that I didn’t ride.  I just have to listen to my body.

It did get hot again today and they said as the heat rose, so did the wind speed.  Just absolutely brutal.  It is still blowing like mad and makes trying to put up a tent kinda comical.

Other than the wind, it would have been a much nicer ride than the last few days.  A lot of downhill (they had to pedal hard) and some good scenery.   We are in New Mexico now.  Since I was riding in the van, I had to take pictures out the window; not the best but proof we left Texas.

Everybody is in now and they all said how brutal it was,  I am so glad I made the decision not to stress my knee.

Just outside of town is Tucumcari Mtn.  Again, taken from inside the moving van.

I’m on cooking detail with Mark tonight.  Hamb and hot dogs, baked beans, and boiled potatoes (close as we can come baked potatoes), Cole slaw and cookies.  Gotta get to work.

0 miles today

Well, today was much better.than yesterday.  We had lots of wind while going through the 14 miles of Amarillo.  Once outside the city, the wind calmed down, was out of the North/ northeast, and became a pleasant ride.  It was really cool this morning, quite a change from yesterday.  I even changed clothes after breakfast because it was chilly.  But, oh, so nice a temp all day.  Didn’t even take off my jacket until noon.

This first picture shows that there really is nothing to take a picture of in this part of Texas.  Flat and boring.

Once we got into God forsaken Adrian, where there is nothing at all in this town; all there really is are old buildings and lots of midway signs.  We are camping in an open lot along rte 66 but we only have one shower which is also in the same room as the toilet.  Really sparse here.

This sign makes our campground sound wonderful.  It is not.

We see lots of these signs on the highway but this one is special because it is the midpoint.

So today we are halfway.  I tho’t we had gone further but guess not.

We are on the high Plains of Texas where it is mostly grassland. Today, I saw the biggest feedlot of cattle that I have ever seen.  Once in a while there will be a field of milo sorghum but other than that, it is pretty bare.  Sparse is the only word that describes it well.

58.5 miles today. 5100.1 total

Boy are our tour leaders awesome.  They offered a ‘no question asked’ sag today for the first four mile climb out of our campground hole.  The wind never stopped all night so I knew a four mile climb with a headwind would do my knees in for the day.  Matt who had back pain and Murray and I with our bad knees took them up on it and am I ever grateful.  By the time I got in today, my knees were crying.  Don’t know if they will make it tomorrow.  We had 50 miles of 30+ mph side and headwinds all day.  BRUTAL!!!

No pictures today.  Once we left camp, virtually every tree disappeared and the ride was boring.  The roads were a little better but the road was a very gradual uphill, add chip seal and a head wind and add heat in the 90’s and you have NO FUN.

When we got to the KOA camp, our leaders felt sorry for us so they changed our reservation from camping to cabins.  Bless their souls.

Hope I recover by morning.  Supposed to be a repeat of today.

52.7 miles today.  5041.6 total . Yeah!  Over 5000 miles this summer.

The ride was mostly rough roads, side and headwinds which we didn’t need.  We are camped out in the boonies at Lake McClellan Recreation Area.  The lake is almost dried up.  I had envisioned a big lake that we could see from far away.  It was nothing more than a big pond visible at the last minute.  We had to ride four miles off route, almost all of it downhill, so that means a crawl out in the morning.  Yuk!

The campgrpund itself is ok, but the bathroom facilities leave a lot to be desired.  And there is no internet at all, hence, why this is late.

A solo-supported cyclist came in about dark.  He rode what we rode in two days.  Bet he was tired.

My knees hurt from the winds.  Especially the one I had replaced.  And it shouldn’t hurt.  Darn it.

Saw this along the way.  Seems like every little town has one or more rte 66 buildings they’ve tried to keep up.  Cute.

We were all sitting around after showers talking and poor Doug fell asleep in his chair.

41.3 miles today.  4988.9 miles. Total

Goodbye Sept and Oklahoma.  Hello  October and Texas.

Good riding day.  Warm but not unbearably hot.  Got into camp early, actually a motel because there are no campgrounds in the area, and before the winds got crazy.  Slight headwind but ok.

We are staying in a wierd town.  All the buildings have rte 66 murals painted on them.  Quite interesting actually.

There was an architectural building of interest, too.

On the ride today, I saw several things that caught my eye.  One of the first things was just before the hometown of Roger Miller in Erick, OK.

The road led into town where it became Roger Miller Blvd.  There was also a Roger Miller museum.  Not open, of course.  Too early in the morning.

Down the road aways, I passed a field of cotton.  Wasn’t sure at first but the guys confirmed it.

Then I passed this neat display of windmill blades along a fence line.  Couldn’t resist.

We were warned by other cyclists yesterday about four dogs in Texola that were a problem for cyclists.  I worried all night even though I did sleep very well.  I decided to find a stick along the road, which I did, and carry my bug spray if one got too close, like within inches.  I lucked out and no dogs chased me today.

Soon after Texola, we crossed into Texas.  Yeah!  I’m not overly fond of Oklahoma.

Short day today.  Hope we don’t have an overly long one tomorrow.

37.9 miles today.  4947.6 total