Cycling Ellen

88.7 miles today
842 total

Last night at the Lodge in Kingston, we had a real feast of turkey with all the fixin’s and more. Some of us sat outside on the patio, others inside, for a real celebration of our great ascent. After dinner, we gathered in the big room for pool, Barb’s Native American story and our usual map meeting. Since it was such a big day, lights were out early to get ready for our 88 mile day today.

After another huge meal – this time breakfast with waffles, pancakes, oatmeal and an egg scramble with bacon, eggs and peppers and onions – we were ready to head down the mountain. It was really cold for our descent with the sun barely up over some of the mountains and our bodies not yet working hard to spin the wheels. I rode down with Carol who flatted at mile 6. We reluctantly took off the gloves and found the goathead thorn that had punctured her tire. I helped her pump it up and discovered that my hands have a good feel for 100 psi. As soon as we were back on our bikes, the sag came by with their floor pump. We didn’t need to add any more air. What a team.

It was amazing how quickly we were out of the mountains after all that climbing yesterday. At mile 9 we started climbing again but this time up onto a plateau looking out over the desert. It was gorgeous country and the road turned into rollers for a while as we descended even more.

From there on, we were in pretty flat riding the rest of the day. We started spying chile farms and processors along the way culminating in our arrival in Hatch, NM where they have a chile festival in the fall at harvest time. Several of us stopped for lunch in a little Mexican restaurant where I got a chance to talk with a couple of local people who were very nice in answering my questions about chiles. Along the way, I also stopped and asked some men working outside about all the tree orchards we were seeing. This area is also known for their pecans. The trees will start to bud soon and the harvest is in December. All of the agriculture relies on the many irrigation canals that we see along the way. The only running water I’ve noticed has been in the Rio Grande, which we crossed a few times today. One of the things I love about traveling by bicycle is the chance to pull over and ask local people about what we are seeing. Everyone I’ve met in New Mexico has been very kind and wave and say hello as I pass by. Even the cars that pass us have been more polite in giving us plenty of room on the road.

Coming into Las Cruces was a challenge as we were on a very busy road. I had a scary moment when my wheel got caught in a groove at a red light and I almost fell into traffic when the light turned green and I tried to go. Fortunately, I shifted my weight in time and remained upright. Those last couple of miles into the hotel when you’re tired are often the most dangerous ones and we’re all very cautious at that time of day.

One mile from the hotel we found Caliches Frozen Custard shop where we had our recovery milkshakes for the day. Now that we’re here at the hotel, I hear that the hotel is preparing an ice cream social for us. Too bad, I’ll have to eat more ice cream just to be polite!