Most of the group on top of Taos Canyon climb, 9,100'
The palisades on the descent from Taos Canyon.
After breakfast with Marcy, and the rest of the group, at Michael's Kitchen in Taos, I started pedaling towards Ratan and Marcy headed to the Albuquerque airport. This cafe /bakery is a very popular place with good reason, the food is good and plentiful.
Another cold morning that started with a 18 mile climb up to 9,100'. Then a 32 mile descent out of hte mountains an onto the western edges of the great plains. What a great ride today. The climb up themountain pass was incredible as was the descent - the views of the mountains - the trees, rapidly flowing river, and the rock formations were breathtaking.
After lunch is was a short 45 miles to Ratan. For the first 30+ miles we still had some descending left to complete with a favorable wind. Then out of nowhere the winds changed to become a viscious headwind. The last miles were incredibly difficult as my legs were growing tired with each revoltion of the pedals. The Holiday Inn Express couldn't come fast enough.
Several flat tires today, 3 in all; none of them mine. The ride covered 95 miles. 4,280' of climbing today; 2,780 kcals burned.
One more day in NM as we head to Clayton tomorrow.
2 comments:
Hi Mark!
Talked to Marcy tonight. How are the knees holding up? Don't forget the ice and Ibuprofen, every athletes best friends. I am envious of every day you are on the road; what an adventure and how cool to end each day knowing the you've notched another memorable ride onto your bike. Looking forward to more photos. The ones you've attached so far have been wonderful. All is well here. The herd of mindless cattle, er, I mean, the stockmarket, rebounded with a vengeance today for the third largest surge in history. I'm sure the next time some CEO sneezes, it will plunge again. I get dizzy just reading about it!Otherwise, all well here.
Ride on......
Rick
Such gorgeous scenery! It sounds as though the toughest terrain is behind you. For the next eight days, you'll be largely downhill and will only have a net gain of ~300ft over the next two weeks. I think you were incredibly smart to hop in the support van for a portion of the ride to Taos; riding in hail and fixing flat tires in the rain does not sound like my - or anyone's - cup of tea. Good call to preserve your strength for the next 2/3 of the country! You are doing awesome!
Life in NC continues to go well; I'm in the midst of my busiest week at school but am still enjoying it immensely. Another cold front is passing through and we'll have sunny & 70's for the rest of the week! I love this time of year.
Knowing that you're entering the windy great plains, I thought I'd leave you with the famous Irish Blessing for inspiration and comfort:
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
The sun shine warm upon your face
The rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.
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