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May 19
Today was a great day of riding- 98 miles- avg. speed- 18.2 mph- though I did get my first flat- no real climbing, tailwind- bright sun- just tooled along- stopped in Winslow AZ for a photo and lunch- than back on the road to finish- nothing exciting, just a fun fast day- hope we have more.

See you out there
Jim
 

May 20
Ok- today was one of those days- 87 miles- avg. speed- 15.7 mph- I started out with a flat- actually a continuation of yesterdays flat- since we never found the wire that caused yesterdays flat- it caused today's flat- so I was the last person out by 20 minutes- but the route was not so bad- a little climbing- yesterday I got a slow leak just outside Winslow- filled the tire up and it went flat again in Winslow- so I stopped at the restaurant where all my friends were eating lunch- here's a tip- never try to fix a flat while a group of friends watch- eventually we (yes-it became a group project)- this morning- my tire was flat- so we got it fixed and than off- 87 miles- all of it on the interstate 40- riding on the shoulder of the interstate is interesting- first there is the traffic- which only really becomes a factor when crossing exit ramps- next- there is a lot of junk on the road- tires, tools, car parts, bungee cords and lots of other stuff- including- little wires that cause flats.  About half way through- at 45 miles I really started to fade- so I relied on my magic rejuvenation formula- I stopped- drank a soda, ate an ice cream bar and called a friend and whined to her for about 15 minutes (thanks friend- couldn't do this with out you)- after that the road smoothed out, the sun cooled off and I was hammering it-( ok not hammering- but 18mph is pretty good)  So I got my second flat 16 miles from the end- Damien came by and we got it fixed- than as we crossed into New Mexico-the winds kicked up- and 3 miles from the finish it started raining.

Than as I walked in the lobby of the hotel- I slipped and fell- nothing hurt but my pride- but still- just glad today is over
Later
Jim
 

May 21
First- hello to my grand children- and Damien says- hello to his wife Susie- he's doing great- sitting right here.  Gallup NM to Grants NM- 68 miles- avg. speed- 15 mph- today was interesting- the first 48 miles was pretty good- a little upgrade- very little wind- cool temps- we crossed the continental divide- just tooling along- actually about 18-22 mph- actually after the SAG stop at the Continental Divide- we were off the interstate and on Route 66- nice smooth road- tail wind- just cruising at 25 mph- But the one rule to always remember is- "This too shall pass"- at mile 48 a 35-40 mph head wind with gusts to 50 mph- also- just so it didn't get boring we had dust and sand- at first you start to think- I just wish the wind would stop, than you think- this is crazy-I'll take the ride- than you get mad (insert the appropriate expletive) and tell the wind- "you will not beat me-" and today it didn't- tomorrow- who knows.

see you out there
 

May 22
Grants NM to Albuquerque- 86 miles- Ok- today was real interesting- left the hotel with cold 30 mph headwinds- which quickly turned into rain, sleet, crosswinds and headwinds- this was really a lot of fun- but you know- wanted an adventure vacation- when I got to the store- the only gloves they sold were little old lady gardening gloves- so picking out the most masculine design (red, green and pink flowers) I headed out again- after about  20 more miles of this- it turned into a different day- sun shine, warm temps, still crosswinds- but not so bad- some little climbs-and this great downhill into Albuquerque- got up to 44 mph( again kids- don't try this at home)- though this time I didn't shoot any video- as I was next to traffic and just thought I probably should keep hold of the handle bars- but still- 44 mph- I could have gotten a speeding ticket- as the speed limit was 40 mph- pulled into Albuquerque and got some exp. biking in city traffic-
We all than went out to this really great Mexican Restaurant( Thank you Darrel) and pigged out- the good thing about biking an avg. of 80 miles a day -everyday- is you can pretty much eat HUGE quantities of food- just to maintain- than back to the room for microwave popcorn and sleep-
 
May 23
 Albuquerque to Santa Fe NM- 68 miles
Ok- this was another interesting day- rain, sleet, climbs- all day- chucked the garden cloves for some other gloves- actually put on my rain jacket- and than just pedaled on- some really nice climbs- with accompanying downs- only got up to 38.9 mph- as my jacket was partially unzipped and was acting as a parachute- slowing me down- but since I was on a curving road- in the rain- figured I should keep my hands on the bike- so settled for 38.9-
Once I got to the top of the Mesa- really beautiful- high desert country- snow capped mountains in the distance- rain- but- TAIL WINDS- the wind gods were happy with us today- 20-25 mph tail winds-
So got into town- washed my bike, myself and ate- sandwiches, ice cream, and some organic grass stuff a friend sent me-ummmm- went to the bike shop- for a new saddle bag, air pump and 3 new tubes- tomorrow is a rest day- and than off to Las Vegas NM- pretty soon we'll be out of the Mts. and into the Plains-
see you out there
Jim