We were ready to go at six o’clock this morning, but the cowboy cantina across the street did not open until seven and we needed nourishment for the ride.  Feeling much more refreshed this morning, we were able to enjoy the restaurant’s decor, sense of humor and good eats…….these cowboys can cook up some grub!  Now it’s time to ride.

Same forecast as yesterday, but today we were fully loaded with water and mentally prepared to face the wind, we only hoped our legs were up for the challenge.  It was a nice pedal out of Supreme Court Judge Sandra Day O’Connor’s hometown, especially since we were protected from the wind for the first mile.  But the wind was waiting as we turned the corner and assumed our southeast trek.  We left the green farmland as the Gila River and our route separated.  Six miles out, we crossed into New Mexico and the Mountain Time Zone; Ennui Morricone’s theme song to “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” eerily played in our heads.

The wind maintained a strong 20 mph blow, but today it threw in super strong gusts, often bringing us to a stand still.  Once again, after two hours of riding we had climbed 500 feet and only come 13 miles; an hour later seven more miles….the wind was wearing us down. Shortly after noon, we found a hitching post to rest our tired bikes, but in the hot blow of the wind and the seering sun, it was not very comfortable.  By mile 30, the temps were in triple digits, the hot gusts seemed to blow right through us, sucking any moisture with it and the road would not end.We crawled into town hitting the first place to eat we could find.  A cheeseburger, ice tea, chocolate sundae and chocolate milkshake, slowly brought us back to life.

There is not much to this tired town, including a restaurant close to the hotel.  Unfortunately, we had to get back on the bikes to ride to dinner.  It was Cincho de Mayo and we were determined to redeem our Mexican dinner from earlier in the week with a good meal and Margarita; still searching.  On our way to dinner, however, we learned that the Interstate (runs through the town) had been closed due to high winds……no wonder we were so spent.  Only 38 miles logged today, but it felt like 380 miles.  If the wind is blowing in our face tomorrow, we are taking the day off.

It was tough to leave the dreamy bed and comfortable hotel, but.…. today’s forecast was for a mid-morning tailwind and we would need every bit of help available for the climbs ahead.  The cool 72° morning began with a three mile downhill backtrack; much more enjoyable than yesterday afternoon’s climb in to town.  Once on course, the road began rough and the shoulder filled with gravel, but with no traffic we could ride anywhere.  There was not much to see as we climbed through this vastness and we could see for miles, until we spotted Antelope (sorry MaryEllen).They seemed surprised, but not too concerned to see us, so photo ops abound.

Though we had no wind, the climbing still required a lot of stops on our slow pedal up.  Two hours of riding today and we just managed 14 miles with 1300 feet of climbing; we were ready for the tailwinds to show up and they were Late.  The grade was getting steeper and the air thinner,   as we slowly climbed.  Thanks to a two mile 350 foot drop, we squeaked in 21 miles in three hours of pedaling.  As our elevation inched toward 6,000 feet, trees began to replace the low shrub. Long before the wind assist came, we could hear it in the treetops.  By the time it reached our backs, we were struggling to maintain 3.2 mph, the wind pushed us to a blistering 4 mph pace up the mountain.  We finally reached the Continental Divide at 6355 feet (our fourth time over the Continental Divide).

The route now offered ups and downs as we rolled through the high valley.

Shortly after noon, we realized why there had been no traffic all morning.  We had known there was a big bike race in town, as we had to stay on the other side of town, but we had no idea, Tour de Bocrie would meet Tour de Gila.  This is the 30th annual five day event and we were arriving on the day of the time trials.   Took advantage of the signage for a quick rest, food break and a chance to see the racers go by.   The next ten miles was a blur of riders, conversation and massive hills.  We met Doug from Gallop, NM who had ridden over to watch the race and 14 year old K.J. from Tucson, who rode with us (after his race) for a couple miles, Great kid!

Once in town, we stopped for our daily (chocolate peanut butter) milkshake and then the mile Uphill to our hotel.  It had been a grueling 47 miles, but with the excitement of the race and the riders all around, we had forgotten the pain.  That was until we had to ride over a mile back in town for dinner; our legs were shot.  We are using the race in town as an excuse to take a day off, but we really need a rest and a little bike maintenance.  So we dropped our bikes at the shop and headed to dinner in town (more on that tomorrow).  Finally a delicious dinner (Apricot-Chipotle Chicken Alfredo)and a surprisingly amazing bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from New Mexico.  A fitting end to our second week!

Tempe, Arizona to Silver City, New Mexico

236.6 miles (one day off)

Continental Divide (6355 feet)

The town was bustling with bikers today.  This race draws amateurs, Olympians and Tour de France racers from all over the world.  Today was filled with different heats of the criterium.  Though we were supposed to be getting much needed rest, we could not resist possibly seeing a race.  So, we walked the mile and a half to town for lunch and hopefully catch a race.   After lunch, we arrived just before the start of the mens heat.  It was exciting and fast and positioned on a corner, we were able to see them several times as they lapped.

A quick tour of Silver City, revealed a small town with a delightful quirky character, but with roads blocked, we did not venture far.  Plus, we still needed to ride our bikes back up the hill.  This photo is from our hotel’s parking lot looking down towards town, yes, it is that steep.  Our location limited our dinner selection, in fact the only restaurant was Mexican and once again, they did not serve beer or Margaritas (isn’t that against some Mexican food/drink law?).  Glad we made it in to town last night.

By the way, the wind was still blowing today.

Just a quick note to thank Everyone for their prayers and well wishes over this past week and a half.  Thankfully, we head home today where we will continue Jerry’s road to recovery.  Once we figure out if this tour will be concluded in 2016 or continued at a future date, we will do one last post.

If anyone from the Silver City/Las Cruces, New Mexico area is reading, thank you.  We would not wish the circumstances for our stay on anyone, but it could not have happened in a better place.  Everyone we encountered in the last ten days has been beyond wonderful; our pleasant memories of this area will be because of you.

We leave you with a picture of the stunning Organ Mountains.

Thanks to all the Angels that looked over us, May they shine their grace on you, as well!