March 20 -

Kingston to Las Cruses, New Mexico

87.6 miles

As you can see it was a long ride.  First half was very, very cold.  I had on just about everything I brought with me, but my hands were still frozen.  One big hill of about 7 miles with a vista, the rest was totally flat.  The temp got up to 51 or so.  The riding was comfortable.

Went through Salem and Hillsboro, but it just didn't feel like home...

March 19? I think

Black Range lodge in Kingston.
I rode 29.7 of the 47 miles.  Route followed SR 180 then over Emory Pass (8000+ft). Just too many vistas for me and Liana called telling me that Yum Yum had died...so I decided I'd had enough.  In the 20 mile sag ride I saw that I would have had a heart attack coming down that precipitous road...I'm a total coward when it comes to high places.
This place is tucked between the mountains, very rustic.  We are staying in a lodge with shared accommodations.  They are cooking dinner for us tonight.  This place has been owned by the woman we met coming in since 1984.  It seems like a challenging place to live.
Now it has started raining...which means snow in the mountains behind us.  Looks like we will have another interesting day tomorrow.

I'm so sorry about Yum Yum who was Liana's pet since about 8th grade.  I think finals today were pretty difficult for her, (she's in Veterinary School at OSU).  Hopefully she has a sympathetic professor.

There is no internet access or cell phone coverage here (not even Verizon), so I'm using the lodge owner's computer.  I'll post a picture next chance I have.

March 18- day 16 out of 58

Silver City - Rest day.

Our hotel is a Comfort Inn, overlooking the city of about 10,000 in population.  Visited the 2 bike shops in town, ate at a Vegetarian deli (about did the owner in with so much stress at having to serve 5 people in a row, but the food was excellent).  Downtown of old shops were mostly closed but still operational.  Used bookshop owner says that people just open when they feel like it, guess they don't need the money.  Copper mining and Western New Mexico University keep this town barely here, I think.   Looks like an old hippy haven... 2 big grocery stores including Albertson's.  Funny I saw some of the same people at both stores...or am I just beginning to think everyone is small town American looks alike.  Walked lots and worked on computer.  Ready for another day tomorrow.

March 17- day 15 out of 58

From Lordsburg, NM to Silver City, NM

47.4 miles
avg 7.7

Didn't pass through any towns, today.  Only significant sighting was the Continental divide sign and it was all up to get there.  We could look back and see Lordsburg for the first 15 miles of the ride.

Tomorrow is a rest day in Silver City (over 5000 ft elev)

March 16 - day 14 out of 58

From Safford, AZ to Lordsburg, NM
55.4 miles
19 mph headwind
avg: 7.5

I learned 2 things today.  How to use the lower part of my handlebars to get the most power against the wind and how to draft.  It really makes it easier.  You still feel the wind, but the legs get less fatigued.  Karen was a great companion today, but when the truck appeared and I saw speedsters, Mike and Rita get aboard, I thought,  "I'm done".  At 6 to 8 mph I would have been out there for over 3 more hours.  We have changed our clocks also, since New Mexico observes daylight savings time.  

JoAnn, Roberta(from Connecticut), and Shelley(Prince George, Canada) under New Mexico welcome sign.

That straight line on the map from Duncan to Lordsburg was just that absolutely straight and very flat  and very boring and very hard with the 19 mph headwind.

Dinner by Linda out of the trailer.  Tamale pie, spanish rice, salad (she always put in tons of fresh veggies)fruit.
Good workout today, I don't think I'll use the fitness room tonight!

March 15

From Globe to Safford, AZ
75.5 miles
time: 7:38:38
2017 elevation gain.


Watched the same mountains for hours. (State Hwy 70) Terrible headwind last 30 miles made the day slow.  Made it in time to eat dinner.  Lentils, potatoes, waldorf salad & Salmon.  Chef kindly gave me the salad without dressing and potatoes without butter.  More detail than most of you want to know I'm sure.  I have a picture of the mountains, but I will need to upload it on rest day, Thursday. .
Tomorrow is another long day

March 14

From Gold Canyon to Globea, AZ
58.6 mi.
time: 5:19:53
Globe: 4192 ft elevation


I did it!!!! I rode the whole way.  I'm so grateful for having training with the Wednesday VBC Earthquake ride so that I could ride those hills.  I just kept thinking about going up Fruit Valley Road...over and over and over again.  3879 ft Elevation gain.  Miserable riding environment with tons of traffic, rude drivers...2 lanes with no cars in sight and they stay in right lane without moving an inch to the left.   I wouldn't recommend Arizona to anyone.  Drivers even yelled rude remarks as we rode into Globe.  Can't imagine what their problem is, they certainly seem to hate bicyclists.

Ride started on the same road we ended yesterday...rumble strips and about 1 foot of riding room in the shoulder.  Then highway 79 went off and we were on a much better maintained hwy 60.  Beautiful wide shoulder to ride in all the way into Superior.  From Superior to Miami (wish it was Florida...but not yet) it was the ride from "hell".  None or little shoulder...uphill, tons of traffic...Thanks to Alayne and Karen (both from New York, we did it.  I rode between them on the uphills and behind them on the downhills(I'm slow at downhill 26.8 mph was the fastest downhill today, whereas I bet the others went 40 mph or more.  Not me!! I have extra brake pads with me, if I need them.

Then the tunnel.  Manzanita tunnel on the coast is nothing in comparison. The sound vibrated our core.  Fortunately we each had lights so we braved it made it through.  Only a few of us did the whole ride today...without SAG.  On the hardest part of the climb we rode and waited so that we could stay together. Yeah!  Made the ride more bearable.

I'm just feeling so grateful to VBC and the training they provided me and with such patience.  I am well prepared for this ride.  Clay's Tuesday ride has taught me how to deal with traffic and the Wednesday, Earthquake ride has taught me how to ride hills.  Both rides lead by leaders with endless patience.