Day 09
Viva Las Vegas!!  Oh, not that one.

DAILY REPORT: 

Boy, it was nice to have yesterday off...or at least a different schedule than our daily rides.  The staff was busy all day doing odd jobs that needed to be done before the ride continued...wash the vans, clean our bikes, do bike shop runs, shop, do the books, restock the vans, and I even got in a short, much needed nap in the early afternoon.  Two local alums, Andy Moss and Greg DuBrock graciously gave of their time to shuttle riders to local bike shops and other attractions around town.  Thanks guys...sorry I didn't get to see you, I'll catch you next time.  We were busy enough that I think we need a day off today...but no.  We mounted our bikes and continued our quest to cross the nation in quick order.

After an early breakfast at Village Inn, we welcomed the more moderate temperature of 54 at load time.  I think the riders enjoyed the time off, but now it was time to start thinking about cranking toward the east coast.  After chow and loading, we set out for a perfect day of riding...winds were calm, sun was shining, and we were rested...what's with all those tall things in our way...mountains?  Today was our second biggest climb day on the trip and even though our legs took the day off yesterday, they were rebelling early as we started climbing right out of the motel.  I usually get blamed for taking the hilliest route, but it doesn't matter which way you ride out of Albuquerque, you go up.

I was in the van early and didn't ride until after the first SAG to allow Jim to get in some miles today.  Our route today led us out of town to the east on highway 14 a nice windy road through the Sandia Mountains.  We rode through some small, quaint little towns like Madrid, a town that was up for sale several years ago...yes, somebody bought it.  Now it's a tourist trap full of arts and crafts and some interesting sights.  Several of the riders stopped by the MADrid HATTER (right) for a sticky bun and a beverage.  There is a sign on the door that says, "Nothing Happened Here In 1897" but it's a happening place now.  A couple years ago they filmed Wild Hogs in this little sleepy town.  For the film, they built a building for the store right in the middle of town.  It sit empty with a plague telling of the event...a monument in a historic place.  They had also built a gas station on the lonely road outside town for the movie.  A local said he was riding along that road and stopped in for a beverage...the filming crews laughed at him.  The local said he'd lived here for years and couldn't believe he fallen for that as he hadn't seen that station before.  Also, I couldn't believe all the trees in town...almost all the trees we saw all day.

After we got close to Santa Fe, we entered I-25 for the remainder of the day.  The road before us rose gently for the first 9 miles as you would swear that the road was level, but your legs said otherwise.  When we would look behind we could see we had been climbing for quite awhile, but after cresting just east of Santa Fe, the road began present us with big rollers where the terrain dropped quickly and the winds shifted to our backs for a nice push...a pleasant/welcomed surprise to say the least.

In addition to the favorable conditions, we also had some of the most beautiful vistas of the trip today but we had to work for them pretty hard.  The climbing was tough, but it wasn't without rewards.  The descent into Madrid (above left) was a 50+ screamer that everyone seemed to enjoy and the interstate descents were also exciting. 

Everyone is really riding much stronger than they were at the beginning.  Yes, their legs are weary but when they get warmed up in the morning, they really ride well.  All they feel is fatigue in their legs, but I can see they are riding stronger than when they started.   It amazes me how the body adapts to the stress of these rides.  Everyone who tries a ride like this should take their preparation seriously because they will enjoy the ride more if they start out in shape with lots of miles in the legs.  But, without a doubt, if they take it easy the first couple of days and don't burn themselves out, by the second week, they'll be flying.

Tomorrow we ride my favorite ride of all time...the lonely 104 to Tucumcari.  They are forecasting 25-35 MPH winds tomorrow and the next day...with gusts over 50...sure hope they are behind us.  We're leaving early so if the conditions are right, maybe we'll have a nice "recovery" ride tomorrow.  Check back with us then. 

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