Yesterday was another trial out on the road. The first 10 miles were in the streets of Albuquerque, slowly climbing towards the pass that would take us through to Santa Fe. It was cold again in the morning, so I was dressed for a fall ride in New England once again. As we got onto what I believe is old Rt 66, it started to rain. As we were climbing, it got colder.
At 22 miles there was a gas station/store where it was suggested we stop for rest rooms. Coming back out into the rain after a brief call to nature, putting on the wet gloves was not pleasant. And the rain was now coming down hard. I hopped on my bike knowing that if I lingered I would just get colder. It was mostly downhill to the SAG at 33 miles, which is normally a welcome thing, but in this case, downhill means faster, and faster means colder, and in pouring rain slippery conditions.
At that point I kept going and pedaling to make sure my temperature stayed up. If a support vehicle had come by, I would have bailed out. I passed a co-rider who was walking, he had flatted, but was to cold to stop and fix it, so he was keeping moving. He is a very experienced hiker and outdoors man, and he told me to keep moving. Shortly, I was at 33 miles which I believe was in Golden NM. I was feeling OK, the rain had slowed, so I refueled and kept moving. (one of the vans had stopped to change my buddies tire so I knew he was OK)
Next destination, 12 miles to Madrid NM. There was some uphill which was a welcome warm up. As I got to San Pietro lookout or view, the sky was clearing, the rain slowing and the sun was trying to break through. It appeared that I had ridden through the challenge.
Shortly I rode in to Madrid. The ride was a long descent from when the sky cleared, and this is one of the most beautiful drives imaginable. (Rt 14N) Madrid was not moving yet as it was 10:30, so the Mine Shaft Tavern was closed. I took off my gloves to adjust something and noticed that they were warmer without the gloves. So I rode the rest of the way bare handed, now only my soaking feet were cold.
The ride continued as scenically gorgeous as before, and I recognized the landmarks from last fall with Robin. As I approached Santa Fe, I came upon two antelope or deer near the prison facility, and stopped to take my only pictures of the day.
Just to add to the fun, from Madrid on in I was dealing with a cleat problem on my left shoe, so I had to stop every so often and tighten the bolt. At one point it came completely off and I was about to look in the road when I noticed the cleat was still in the pedal! So I pried it out and bolted it on again. When I was 3.5 miles out the rainy weather resumed, but I was in Santa Fe, at least the strip mall section so I just kept rolling.
When I pulled in to the hotel, and saw the familiar faces of the CR team, I was pretty overwhelmed to have arrived. Stripping out of all of those wet clothes and huddling under the covers to warm up my hands and feet was heavenly. The shower later brought me back to 100%.
I don't know what to make from this ride. It was another difficult challenge, and I'm very happy to have been able to continue the ride.
Ron
No comments:
Post a Comment