Success!!!

Wind, Wind, and more Wind
Thursday 22^th May, 2019
Day 13

Location: Grants to Albuquerque, NM

Distance: 79 miles

Temp: 45 - 74 F  sunny

   Wind: 15 mph headwind in AM changing to 30 mph crosswind in PM

Cumulative climbing distance:  2,678 ft

Cumulative descending distance:  3,990 ft

 

Today is a tale to 2 winds: strong headwind and stronger gusting crosswinds.  All bikers agreed that today was the most difficult due to the winds, especially the gusts. Biking for 2 hours into the headwinds was exhausting and then the wind shifted to a 30 mph crosswind with gust greater than 35 mph.  The wind blow us all over the road.  Due to the traffic we were constantly fighting to maintain a straight line of the edge of the road.  Not an enjoyable ride.  But we had great scenery.

 

On the road (Route 66) at 7:05 AM, which is our normal starting time.  However, today we were especially keen to start early before the wind speed increased.  But no luck.

 

 

 

 

 Typical scenery along Route 66.  I was petaling just 8 mph downhill through this cut do to the strong headwinds.  Would have been >20 mph with no wind.

 

 Ancient volcanic lava flow along Route 66.

 

 

Cattle guard (livestock will not attempt to cross the open metal grates).  These are common on roadways in the West with semi-open cattle grazing. 

 

 

 

 

 Wide open countryside.  (Train photo taken by another rider.)

 

 

  

Back on the I-40 for 26 miles.  Four days ago, Albuquerque was 330 miles away.  Will be there this afternoon.  And then our next goal is Tucumcari, NM.  We will be there in 3 biking days plus a rest day in Santa Fe.

 

  A historic bridge (built in 1933) on an abandoned section of Route 66.

 

 

 Finally entering Albuquerque after seeing signs for 4 days.  The atmosphere looks hazy because of the wind blown dust.

 

 

 

 An ideal dinner for one.: 1 scotch , 1 giant fajita with all the fittings, and 1 milk shake.  An attempt to increase calories consumption.