NASD2SA2022

 Wednesday March 31st Todays weather forecast was right on target.  I walked across the parking lot to McDonalds at 6:15 AM and the wind was still blowing in excess of 30 mph, with gusts of 50-60.   Had breakfast, a welcome break from our daily oatmeal rations.  Got back to hotel and the message came out that the ride today was cancelled thanks to the high winds.  Ride at your own risk. A few brave/crazy souls (5 younger “A” team riders) defied the decision to be shuttled to our next stop.  There were no sag stops or assistance available should they have needed help. Waiting for our shuttle rides to Marfa.    Bikes were put into racks on top of the vehicles and after several trips to Marfa and back we settled into our new facility by 2 PM.  The few that rode arrived around 1PM and commented that there were some exciting moments with the crosswinds.  The CBP uses these tethered drones which appear to be maybe 500’ high watching over the landscape for The Bad Hombres. We have seen a few

 Tuesday March 30th Shortly after lights out last night we could hear raindrops on our tents. Rain hasn't been in any forecasts, but apparently it didn't amount to anything other than adding to the angst of todays forecasted high winds. The projection was wind starting around 10 AM with average speeds in the 30’s and gusting as high as 50-60 mph by mid afternoon. It wouldn't be an exact tailwind as it was shifting throughout the day and so was our route. We got to leave at sun up to complete as much of the ride before noon in hopes of avoiding scary cross winds through the mountain passes on I-10.   There always is a way to get through these intimidating hills/mountains without having killer inclines.  We are on a frontage road here for I-10. But also had to ride two separate sections of I-10, about 5-8 miles each. Our final approach to Van Horn was a nice downhill on the shoulder of the highway.  At this time the winds were getting pretty serious and there were some challe

 Monday March 28th This morning we had to bike through downtown El Paso and its environs for almost 20 miles until we were back in the farmlands.  Traffic was picking up already at 7:30 AM, and our instructions required a lot of maneuvering with many turns. We were a group of 10 so at least we had visibility and the vehicles were courteous or maybe afraid of us?   Young pecan trees after leaving El Paso. The pecan is the state tree of Texas, and there were miles of pecan groves.   We are staying in Ft Hancock tonight, our tents surrounding this little church.  Unfortunately no showers here so we rented 3 rooms at a local motel and shuttled back and forth for the opportunity to shower.  The inside of our church.  The after ride chill out zone. We have learned to appreciate the daily after ride relaxation, especially my daily beer allowance.            Our caterer who follows along on the trip.  She caters exclusively to bike trippers.  Excellent food, such as Gazpacho today for our 4 PM

 Sunday March 27th Today we have a 73 mile day and cross into Texas.  It was 46 degrees while eating breakfast, but as the sun comes up so does the temperature climb very quickly.  I started off wearing wind breaker jacket, long finger gloves, ear warmers and tights. At the first Sag stop in 20 miles, all extra clothing went into the empty bin to be collected at the end of todays ride. The temperature was probably already into the 70’s.  No photos today. Scenery was a continuation of prior days.  My goal on riding days is to try for 50 miles before noon.  Then the remaining daily miles are easier to knock off.  Texas didn't even have a welcome sign.  Probably only on the Interstates or main roads. We were on the same road for over 55 miles, pretty simple to keep on track.  Added this picture from Columbus to bulk up the blog for today.  So todays ride was 73 miles at an average speed of 14.9 mph with only 842 feet of climbing.  A pretty flat ride to wrap up New Mexico.  I only burn

 Saturday March 26th Today was a rest day.  Coffee and breakfast are pushed out one hour so we can sleep in.  Part of our group crossed into Mexico for the shopping experience and lunch, plus maybe margarita's. The remainder stayed at the “abandoned” school and performed bike maintenance, plus of course work on your blog.  Our home for 2 nights.  The City of Columbus had acquired this old school building and is planning to turn it into a Community center, pool, and AA meetings are already held in one of the rooms.  The roof didnt leak, but then the faucets in Mens room didn't work. We shared part of the bathroom facilities with the Women.  Oh, and there were no showers so we rented 2 campsites at the nearby Pancho Villa State Park so we could shuttle to the park and use their shower facilities.  A “little” rough, certainly not like home.  One of the empty rooms available for our campsite within the school.   The HVAC wasn't turned on either, but rooms were comfortable enoug

 Friday March 25th Yesterday we had to change our clocks one hour forward when we crossed into NM, since AZ doesn't participate in daylight savings time. It was dark and 36 degrees at 5:30 wakeup time.  Its kinda pleasant being in a warm sleeping bag, but torture when you have to get up and prepare your stuff for the days ride in the dark. I have a handy rechargeable light that I hang in my tent and it has a remote control to operate from the safety of your sleeping bag or when you are searching for your own tent among 45+ other tents that are just like yours in a dark field. We were supposed to make a sandwich for todays lunch stop, occurring truly in the middle of no where.  Put it in a cooler and grab it at the second Sag stop.  But I was so focused on preparing my riding stuff, putting charged blinkers back on bike, eating breakfast, packing up gear, putting it outside tent, etc, that I forgot all about making my lunch.  Oh well it's only 90+ miles, and it didn't dawn o

Thursday March 24th  Started the day with a late but otherwise excellent breakfast at the Gadsden Hotel.  Slept well last night in a real bed and real towels instead of our typical “camping paper towels” which actually do work well. Another sunny bright and chilly morning, once the sun gets up a bit everything warms up quickly.  So trying to dress properly for the first two hours of riding can be a challenge.  At the first Sag stop we can unload excess clothing which we recover at the end of the days ride.  After dinner last night at the Gadsden, the owners mother (she was in charge of food service) took us on a tour of the basement. Down there were a “speak easy”, and perhaps a half dozen rooms used to provide “social entertainment”  for the lonely travelers.  But the really cool features were tunnels that led across the street, somewheres out back and a mile long tunnel since collapsed that went to Mexico.   I think she said it was functional until some time in the 1980’s. This pictu

 Wednesday March 23rd Leaving Tombstone this morning.  This was where our 2020 C2C Covid ride was cancelled, so all new territory going forward. No gunfights, all was quiet at 7:30.  At one time apparently this was thought to be the Continental Divide. (It really will be somewheres in New Mexico). However the altitude is correct at 6030 feet, my Garmin was thinking 6097.  It was a significant climb regardless to get to this, I believe the highest elevation that we will encounter on this trip.  The famous Lavender Pit copper mine in Bisbee The also famous Gadsden Hotel in Douglas Arizona. We are all staying here tonight. A monumental upgrade from last nights tenting.  I wasn't meant to be a blogger. Can't seem to get the photo arrangements in order.  Cellular service on much of trip continues to be weak and forget about hotel/campsite wi fi. Our room and a few interior shots of the hotel. We are dining in the main lobby tonight.  Todays distance was 50.4 miles, 2,348 feet of cli

 Tuesday March 22nd A very pleasant sleeping night in Tucson.  When we have an indoor night, be it a hotel or “school gymnasium” it is a lot easier to pack up and get moving in the morning.  Tent camping is a lot more work, just getting out of a warm sleeping bag at 5:30 in the morning, coffee at 6 AM, back to the tent to pack up, then breakfast outdoors in 40 degree temps at 7 AM, back to the tent to wrap up and be ready to ride by 7:30.  Most people in our group are anxious to get going as early in the morning as our leader allows.  I subscribe to that plan, wanting to get as much of the daily rides accomplished before noon each day.  We didnt have far to go this morning before starting the climb from Tucson towards Sonoita and ultimately Tombstone.  We are heading toward the snow capped Santa Rita Mtns, but will turn East long before passing by them to the East. Tucson is at an elevation of about 2,400’ and at the 30 mile mark we hit our highest elevation for the day just over 5,000

 Monday March 21st So last night we went to bed with the promise of no more rain.  The clouds were clearing and we could see some stars.  The coyote gangs were quite active and making their presence known. Somewhere around 1:30 I awoke to raindrops on the tent, coming down pretty hard at times.  Then it would taper and start all over again. I was freezing in my sleeping bag, long underwear, additional liner etc so I put on my down jacket, the last resort.  It was tolerable and I slept on and off with the rain and wind against the tent.  A double rainbow before sunset last night.  You could see all 4 ends.  It snowed in the mountains last night. I told you it was cold.  A very nice bike path thru Tucson. We went about 35 miles from campsite to our hotel all on the bike path On the bike path.  . Staying in a new Hampton Inn tonight. Now I remember why I never liked camping.   On the path today I noticed a dog,  but no owner or leash. A Coyote!  Stopped quickly and turned around to take a