Wednesday, September 10
What I love so much about this trip is that every day is different. The only commonalities are being on a bike, the rest stops, and the camaraderie among us nine riders and two guides. Today was a 95-mile ride that included a 3,000 foot climb to the top of a 10,400 foot pass. What made it so different? The alpine beauty!
We had breakfast in the parking lot. Barely 30 seconds into my 7:00 AM start, I had a flat. I couldn't have picked a better place to have one, with two very mechanically adept guides right there. However, I was basically the last or next-to the last rider, and rode alone much of the day.
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| View from near the top. We came from way down there! |
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| I made it! 10,400' |
After 15 miles of riding in 40 degree fog on a flat busy highway, the 15 mile climb from 7,000 feet to the top of a 10,400 foot pass began. From sagebrush to aspen, forests to meadows, we were treated with beautiful variety at almost every turn. The cottonwoods in the ranchlands were just starting to change to golden.
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| Ranchland and contented cattle |
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| The final 30 into the wind |
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| Lush ranchland |
Except for two more "hills" the remaining 65 miles were a gradual descent back down to sagebrush country to Ojo Caliente, our destination. The last 30 miles were a grind with headwinds, but well worth it when we arrived at this oasis.
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| The long, gradual descent |
Built in 1896, but used for centuries by native Americans, Ojo Caliente is on the national register of historic places. It is the only non-sulphur hot springs in the US, with four different pools with different minerals--including arsenic! The soak, the food, and the camaraderie were great! All in all, a very memorable day.
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| Debbie, me, Dan, and Ron |
On to Taos, tomorrow.
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