My legs felt pretty good at the start, but by the first set of climbs…I was feeling the previous two days effort. Yesterday’s climbing was mostly 3 long passes of 10-14 miles in length. Today was all rollers…the entire 121 miles to make up 9200’ of climbing. It got pretty brutal. It would be like doing 121 miles worth of loops at Grassy Lake, Buckhill and the backside of Sugarloaf Mountain! All at around 7500’ in altitude.
My little sea-level lungs are really working hard. We rolled south for about 30 miles to Ignacio and then back north towards Paragosa Springs. Tailwind, followed by headwind…then some pretty brutal headwinds the last 30 miles. It was a spectacular day to be out on the bike…but I sure am glad to be off of it! Just beat a pretty strong band of rain as I rolled into the motel….The Branding Iron…sounds painful!
Craig is still battling some congestion…but rode strong all morning. Chip…well, Chip is from another planet! The boy just ain’t right! He tolerated our healthy pace into lunch, then dispatched Craig and I about a mile into the only really long climb of the day! We never saw him again! I’m beginning to feel worthless and weak!
Passed a ton of really beautiful horse farms and ranches and rolled thru the small town of Paragosa Springs. Paragosa was a really nice little town. It’s Sunday…so not much was open.
The Chama Days Festival is wrapping up in the field right next the Branding Iron. Think I might mosey over there and check out the big “Turkey Leg” sign. See if they got any left-overs…ha!
Tomorrow’s a recovery day…75 miles 2000’ of climbing…billed as mostly downhill into Espanola,NM. I need an easy day!
Hanging out on the patio at Serious Texas BBQ last night in Durango. The nicest dining experience we've had...and really great food!
the morning's roll thru the farmlands outside Durango
The Ute Indian Casino. We rolled about 20 miles into the high desert...and there it was. Absolutely nothing else around! Sorry "Pugs"...it's still under construction. Next time I see if I can turn a $20 into $40!
rolling north towards Paragosa Springs
I got to ride with Lon Haldeman (co-owner of PACtour)...and winner of Race Across America in 1983. He's got great stories having been in the bike tour business for over 10 years! Plus, he's a great draft!
road scene
Man...they grow some nasty wasps out this way. The little bugger hit me just as we hit a long,fast downhill...and wouldn't let go! I couldn't let go of the handlebars for about a minute. Dang, that hurt...still does! The swelling is now gone!
Passed some really nice ranches and farms today! This one along the Piedra River.
most of today's route was lined with these yellow flowers. Pretty cool against that magnificent New Mexico sky!
the long headwind section into Chama
Passed the Continental Divide...again. We've given up thinking that means it's all downhill from there...it's NOT!
Welcome to Chama!
1 comment:
always had a romantic idea of montana, wyoming, colorado, and now new mexico...Big sky, rivers, ranches, horses...
but your photos show another side..
be safe, have fun.
smiles at ya
xoxo....
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