Headed out last night w/ plan to drive further up hwy 400 to next road to find a place away from quaking aspen TH. Succeeded. However it was out of cell phone range so i missed my Sunday ride w/ Andy.
Wind died down overnight. Up & at it early. Drove back down to QA TH for ride. Today plan is to do an easy ride for rest of body & knee that still hurts. Putzing around @ TH deciding on ride. Stood at the trail map when a bluebird w/ a beetle in its mouth landed almost @ my feet. What a pretty bird: the blue is iridescent. I got about 10 winks & it flew up into a tree to consume its catch.
Finally headed out on prime Zuni Mtn ST. Kept heart rate down and enjoyed scenery by going slower. Checked out scenic overlook on Lost Lake Rim trail. Looked out over desert plateau to the end of skyline.
Meet Albert & wife Becky, owners of defunct local bike shop. He had comments about his customers.
Crossed a barb wire fence where i hooked a barb into my shorts, almost got hung up.
Back @ TH Blaine was just starting out. He had issues w/ his drive train that I said I could fix if he would get his cluster and call me.
Stopped @ Red Rocks XG for a shower. Host same as before and fee was same.
Back into Gallup to do wash. Gallup has beaucoup laundromats, most are 24 hour along historic rt 66. Clean clothes and bike gear drying on line in back of van. Low humidity assures quick drying time.
Blaine called me as I was walking in the Albertson’s parking lot w/ my hands full. He had the parts and was ready to meet me to install. He arrived, we moved to an abandoned building just off rt 66. And Jack showed up. We all chatted about our rides and he ribbed me about missing a business permit. He has been reading my blog.
Fixed Blaine’s bike: replaced drive train. He thanked me. Like me long ago he doesn’t know how to work on bikes. But I do now.
Drove thru town on rt 66 to Amerigas parking lot for night. Tomorrow school is in session so I might have an early wake up.
Plan tomorrow is to call PO for pedals and then ride High Desert & then drive to Albuquerque
Hi Craig,
New Mexicao sounds neat. I bet you are strong than ever after a whole year of riding. We rode 18 miles yesterday at High Drive and along the River. Finished a cabinet repair project for my brother in-law today. Starting a memorial park bench project that is due by the 4th of July. What are the remaining states you need to ride? Good luck with that shaking bus. Randy
Hi Craig. Just finished my 3400 mile ride. Was thinking of you when I rode through Fruita. Sounds like you’re liking New Mexico. I was interested in you’re mentioning Fort Wingate. Brings back lots of memories. Was there in the late 70s on a job painting the interior of water tower. Make a long story short, the fumes from the paint ignited, blew me all the way around the base of the tower, knocked me out and burned the hair off one side of my body. My coworker was inside. Wasn’t a pretty sight. He survived but barely. Spent a summer in that area mostly out on the Navajo res. Interesting country.
Hi Les,
Glad you are back home. i remember you telling me that story when we drove out to the ride in central WA when i was laid off.
Randy,
On this trip I need AZ, CA, NV, & OR to complete the sweep. In my life I only need AZ to have ridden in all of the states. AZ is next followed by CA and woork my way North as snow melts out and mosquitoes die in OR.
Spent 7 years teaching out on the Navajo Rez. I loved it mostly. Never got tired of the scenery. Glad you are enjoying NM. It is my home state. I am now overseas.