Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Day 11: Holbrook, AZ to Gallup, NM

Distance: 93.09 miles

Elevation gain: 2,767 feet

Avg speed: 15.4 mph

Max speed: 32.3 mph

Moving time: 6:03:19

Today started with a photo op. One of our other riders, David “Odie” Redfield, is a retired naval aviator, and I thought it would be fun to have a picture with him in our respective military jerseys. Another rider in our group, Barb Waters, is using this trip to raise money for the Department of Veterans Affairs in order to benefit veterans who have returned from their service with various issues and injuries such as PTSD and traumatic brain injuries to name a couple. 

Me, Barb, and Odie

I hope you will take a moment to consider donating to this very worthy cause. Here is a link to her blog page regarding this fundraising effort: https://barbcyclesusa4veterans.com/2024/04/24/why-am-i-cycling-for-veterans-2/comment-page-1/#comments

Today’s ride took us across our second state line into New Mexico. We rode from Holbrook, AZ to Gallup, NM. Once again we spent the bulk of our time on I-40, so as a group we found ourselves with many flats today! I thought I had made it through unscathed, but I ended up with yet another “hotel room flat.” Once again it was the back wheel, but this time there were TWO punctures - I found two separate pieces of wire in my back tire! Good thing I kept looking after finding the first! Also on today’s ride we came across a vendor at the second SAG stop selling Navajo Fry Bread, which was delicious! I had mine topped with cinnamon and sugar - yum!

We continue to be lucky in the weather department on this trip as well. For the first time, we did encounter a storm. Luckily for us, the storm ended up passing north of our route, causing nothing more than a gusty crosswind. Anyway, the hour is getting late, so here are my favorite photos of the day:







And, of course, the video du jour:

Tomorrow we continue on to Grants, NM and cross the continental divide!

No comments:

Post a Comment

Final Thoughts and Reflections

Total distance: 3,431.14 miles Total elevation gain: 107,642 feet Total moving time: 229:58:10 (That comes out to 9 days, 13 hours, 58 minut...