Sunday was a beyond blustery ride out on the red rocks beyond McGaffey. 46mph gusts, one knocked me off my bike on the red rock. I was the slowest rider so all I caught were the backsides of riders as they left when I caught up.
Earlier we caught the Rincon surf:
Big 19 mile ride @ a fast young persons’ pace.
Spent another night, 6 days total in the Zunis.
Said good bye to Bill and Mike and Allison then drove to Gallup.
In Gallup I checked out Broken Spoke bike shop. Found Whole Foods store for goodies. I camped @ Black Canyon XG up past Dale Ball trails, 8,000′. Forecast was for possible snow. B4 bed snow fell. XG is in a canyon accessed by a steep paved road. I wondered what the exit would be like in the morning. The pavement was too warm for snow to stick.
Tues the weather remained shitty cold and occasional snow showers. I used the down time to see an urgent care Dr to exam my constricted throat. My lungs are clear and there was no obstruction in my trachea and my O2 saturation was 96%. X-ray was normal. Must be muscles. I bought a new LED headlamp that is light years better than my old LED.
Tues I camped back @ same XG. No h2o but cost only $5 using senior pass. 21 degrees.
Wed I stopped back @ Broken Spoke to change out the Minnions for the Continental tires. Real bitch getting the new tires on the rims.
Later I rode the La Tierra trails outside of town. They are pedaling trails on loose rock, constantly turning it seemed.
I drove back into town to Anytime Fitness for a shower then headed towards Oklahoma stopping in Clayton, NM, sleeping @ airport. I am in the belly of the Dust Bowl per Timothy Egan’s Worst Hard Times book. Tomorrow is OK riding.
On Monday I stopped @ Jack’s house in Gallup for a shower. Bill did the remodeling that I really enjoy.
Going to bed @ 4967′.