If the connection holds up I will post the pictures from last night as well as the pics from today's ride.
The bar across from where we pitched our tent was everything it was cracked up to be. Apparently most of the town is run somewhat by the family of the store clerk who gave us the Lion's Club hook up. I believe they are the Keens and they were also about two thirds the patrons at the bar.
It seems we stumbled into a bit of a reunion as one of them had disappeared many years ago and returned this weekend. Kind of sweet in a "don't ask too many questions" way. Anyway they were all really cool people.
So this morning we woke up to find that the ice we purchased at 3 PM the day before (not in a cooler) was still good to go! Yes, it was dang cold. So we scurried around muttering vague obscenities and got ready to roll. 50 yards from the Lion's Club - rear tire FLAT.
To further enhance our morning, the wind, our buddy the day prior, was in fact the fickle mistress the sailors say. Dead in our face.
So we toodled along until we reached Safford on a rather unremarkable Rte 70. There, a decision was on us.
We could either leave the Adventure Cycling Route and continue on the relatively flat but not very interesting Rte 70 to avoid many many climbs (knee saving) OR... we could suck it up and stick with the route.
At the fork in the road, we chose to stick it out and enter some of the most incredible landscape in the Country.
We climbed quite a bit and I have to say, Marty did really well. Then we finished the 57 mile day with a 6 mile descent to "3 Way" that featured ... well speeds that caused us both to feather the brakes more than a little.
We are now camping FOR FREE AGAIN at the Clifford Ranger Station of the Apache National Forest and looking forward to some serious ups and downs tomorrow. The wind is screaming at us right now and the temperature is dropping. They do not call it roughing it for nothing.
Pauline's (my cousin from day one) brother John called and left me a voice mail that he will be putting us up or putting up with us in Las Cruses, so John if you are following this, I will get an idea when we are going to be there because we would love to take you up on the offer - even if Pauline made you!!
All the best
Jake
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Keep on truckin. Just take your time in the hills. And listen to Kelly. Yes we are sure she gave you two some good advice. Later, R
ReplyDeletePS... TnTT will be a 40 miler just for you!
I've got a celebrity rider that wants to put you guys up for the night once you get to the Houston area. He is kind of short and stocky and during our last conversation he was looking for someone to modify some kind of biking shoe so that his feet would reach the ground. He mentioned using wooden blocks, some type of strap and duct tape but when I pointed out that he wouldn't be able to detach his feet from the pedals with a rig like that he decided to call the experts at PC Bike.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing he asks in return for room and board is that you drink copious ammounts of Jack Daniels and 'look me in the eye'.
Marty, if the knee flares up again one of my buddies was able to identify a string of massage parlors that, very curiously, seem to follow your route. From what I can gather from the web site most of these things are either located within truck stops or very near by. Unfortunately all the text is in Chinese so I have no idea of the rates but I'll pass it along anyway. www.wewubwice.com
Good luck, stay in the saddle.
Hey Jake, FINALLY a clue to your route. Unfortunately, it doesn't take you to my part of New Mexico. I'm bummed by that, but please have a safe and enjoyable trip!
ReplyDeleteJake and Marty,
ReplyDeleteMany prayers are being said for you two. We have the whole church praying for your safety and Marty's knee.
Mark (Jake's best Brother-in-law)