Day 35 (31 riding): Total overall distance: 2266.75mi Total distance today: 63.32mi Total time: 5.35.29 Avg speed: 11.3mph Top speed: 25.5mph

Random thoughts of the day:
-I love waking up to these views...they would be even better if it was warmer than 35 degrees outside
-That left turn is gonna be rough (go from a head/cross wind to dead headwind
-I wouldn't enjoy driving into 28mph winds with 42mph gusts...but here i am, on a bicycle
-Oh my wind
-This is absolutely incredible...pedaling to go 7mph downhill
-Yay!!!!! Time to climb 1000 feet in 11 miles into a severe wind advisory
-If anyone wanted to see a re-run of the Ali-Frazier fight...it just happened...the wind and mountain vs. 6 cyclists...we won in a split decision
-Tomorrow will be very very hard...

Today was an interesting day to say the least. The four of us left the campsite around 8:00 into a wind coming from our 10:00 position. So not a complete headwind but certainly not a tailwind. It started at around 10mph and gradually got stronger through the day. We rode about 10 miles and glanced back to see two other cyclists coming our way. They turned out to be Eddy and Katy, a couple from London that Paul, Nadine, and Ricky had met on a few different occasions in the weeks before. So there were now 6 of us pedaling away towards the hardest part of our cross-county journey...Emory Pass. Our first 45 miles of the day weren't too bad. We had a constant wind of 15-20mph but it was mostly from 9:00-10:00 so not too much of a headwind. It made us slower for sure but since we were only going 63 miles it wouldn't be a big deal. At the 45 mile mark, we took a lunch break and prepared for what wee figured to be the hardest part of the trip thus far...until tomorrow at least. We had to take a 90 degree turn and head due west...directly into a 28mph constant wind with wind gusts at 42mph. No I am not exaggerating...we measured it! We finally got the fortitude to continue on after pumping ourselves up...when I got another flat tire on the front tire...leaving the parking lot!! So we ducked back behind the building out of the wind and changed the tube again. 3 flats in 4 days is not cool. Anyway, we re-gathered ourselves and headed out into the monster of wind. Did I mention that we had to climb 1500 feet in the next 17 miles. Oh my goodness. It was outrageous. The first 12 miles involved a few climbs that were super hard fighting the wind but was mostly flat. We were going 7-8mph...on a flat road!! It's scary to say this...but it was somewhat fun. Quite a battle. However, the last 5 miles...were the most ridiculous thing any of us had ever done on a bicycle, especially the last 2 miles. That includes Paul & Ricky who have gone on long tours before...Paul many times. We had some really long climbs that were decently steep and literally the strongest winds I have every been outside in for an extended period of time. A few of us stopped after one big hill to wait for the others and it was hard to stand. We almost blew over...the street signs were shaking violently. Going up the next hill...if you stopped pedaling for a second...you were going backwards. I kid you not, the wind would push you backwards. Such a hard fought climb. Then the fun began...going through some tight curves at 5500 feet. Bend left...little wind...bend right...30mph wind. Similar to getting punched and having to keep going. When we got to the top of the day's climb...we had to go down about 250 feet to the town of Hillsboro, NM to get to a hotel for the night. So we coasted down the mountain at 35mph...oh wait, no we didn't. We pedaled as hard as we could to go 8mph...downhill!! At one point going around a corner and directly into the wind...I was barely moving and pedaling hard. Every gust sent me a little sideways and slowed me to about 3mph. They were 40-42mph gusts. Strong enough to pick up the dirt and gravel from the road and lift it into my face. I thought I was going to get blown straight off the mountain. The sickest part was that it was so ridiculous...I was loving it and laughing the whole time. It was just too outrageous not to love.

Anyway, we all finally got into the town that was supposed to have 2 motels, a B&B, a restaurant, and a supermarket. Of course, it had 1 motel and nothing else besides a cafe that closes at 12 everyday. It also opens at 8, which means we won't get to leave until after we eat tomorrow since we need a good breakfast to climb the mountain...but more on that in a minute. Anyway, after dealing with some very inconsiderate hotel managers who tried to charge us an extra $10 per person to sleep on the floor and still charging $70 for the room...we did some bike maintenance (spokes and tubes) and then thought about dinner. Ricky went to the cafe to look for something and got lucky when the owner gave him spaghetti, sauce, lettuce, and bread. We still had some rice and beef flavored packets of some sort that we could make plus that new food so we ended up having quite a nice Valentine's Day dinner. The 6 of us enjoyed a solid meal of spaghetti tortillas with cheese and lettuce, bread, and then cookies for dessert.

Tomorrow, since we have to eat so late...we will pedal away probably around 9. The first 9 miles to the next town, we will climb about 1000 feet, and then comes the hardest part of the trip...and not coincidently...the highest. We will go up 2500 feet in about 15 miles to a total of 8,250ish feet. It will possibly be snowing, but there will definitely be snow on the ground since it is snowing there now. It will be harder to breathe as well.

After we make it to the top...there is a fork in the road in terms of the map. One option is 71 miles longer and very difficult with a lot of big hills and one even steeper climb but leads to the Gila Cliff Dwellings and Hot Springs. That was my intended route, but I have been really worried that my bike may not make that route. The downhill is what really scares me. Going into Gila is a brutal 7 mile climb which would obviously stink, but then a 7 mile decent that is equally steep. Thus, I would have to ride the brakes the whole time. That would heat up the frame which would in turn weaken it which scares me. Anyway, the cliff dwellings and hot springs seemed worth it. The other option is much shorter with only a few minor-moderate hills before meeting up with the other route in Silver City, NM. The final decision is the best of both worlds really. The couple from London also want to see Gila but also don't want to bike it. Therefore, we are going to stick with Paul, Nadine, and Ricky tomorrow after the top of Emory Pass and continue the 40 or so miles to Silver City. Then on Thursday morning, we are going to split a car rental and spend the day at Gila driving the route we would have had to do on bikes. Even though it would have been cool to say I conquered the Gila Monster...I don't want to do it at the expense of my bike. So I'm happy with the choice.

Well, I need a good night's sleep for tomorrow's climb...wish me luck!! Happy Valentine's Day!!

P.S. Thank you for the strong response to my fundraising pledge...getting closer!

Day 19 (17 riding): Total overall distance: 1303.58mi Total distance today: 101.96mi Total time: 7.31.29 Avg speed: 13.7mph Top speed: 26.5mph

Random thoughts of the day:
-Boom...2nd century ride today, but this one I earned...a lot of hills, into the wind for a while, and alone
-This is what life on the road on a bike is like: a bug flew in my mouth...and I was grateful for the free protein
-The things that are the most interested in me are easily the cows...at one point today, I passed a ranch and EVERY cow had its head turned and was staring at me...there were over 50 easy...creepy
-Now that is a strange place to see a zebra...2 zebras actually
-I hope Chuck Norris doesn't come out and roundhouse kick me in the face

Today was definitely a good day overall. I was bummed to have to leave John's apartment so soon with only 2 nights and a day to hang out, but it had to be done. Thanks again for everything Sal! The first 50 miles today flew by. I was riding fast and the roads were flat with very little traffic. I love riding on Sundays! I grabbed a longish lunch at Subway in Navasota, TX after briefly visiting and taking a picture of Chuck Norris' ranch. Pretty cool. I also had a nice chat with the guy who runs the "Checkpoint" hostel/bed and breakfast in Richards, TX. He told me I may catch 3 riders about a day ahead of me. Small world, I already knew he was talking about Ricky, Paul, and Nadine...who I presume are in Austin tonight. I'll be there tomorrow night and we may end up leaving at the same time on Tuesday...guys if you read this, give me a call!
The last 50 miles today was pretty tough because of a lot of hills...it's obvious I'm getting very close to Texas Hill Country. However, it was the most visually appealing ride so far. A lot of good scenery. The riding was tough and I only went up about 300 feet total...to a peak of 500 feet. The Hill Country goes to a fun 2,317 feet. Oh joy, can't wait! I actually am kind of excited for the challenge. Plus it will be a good warm up for the Emory Pass in New Mexico, where I go to over 8,000 feet.
Luckily I had a perfect weather day today. It was 60 degrees and cloudless all day. Beautiful blue skies. Chilly in the morning and evening but not bad at all. I stopped into a small General Store in Independence, TX to get a gatorade. I had read about the store on another blog and knew that the owner had a bikers' log so I was excited to sign it. But I forgot to put where I'm from :/ I did leave this blog address so if you are reading this store owner, add Tiverton, RI to my post. It was cool to see a store that is legitimately the only store in a town. Gas, groceries, lunch, conversations, and who knows what else goes on here. Otherwise, you have to drive quite a ways to get that stuff. It's so old school and southern, I love it.
The owner asked if I was going cross-country because I didnt look like I had been on the road for that long. I guess I hold up well, and I am moving quite quickly besides.
I made it to the home of my warmshowers host Carol in Carmine, TX around 5:30 or so. Carol is unbelievable. She owns a 62 acre ranch and has a beautiful house that she built herself with the help of some friends. The house is such a cool set-up too. Plus she is almost too nice if that's even possible. I was treated to a great dinner and dessert and then had some nice conversation while we played pool for a while before the repeat of the tennis match came on. She said I could watch it with her, but I don't have 5 sets in me...I'll be asleep before it's over! I'm staying in a really neat bunkhouse over the barn with a nice bed, bathtub, and eggs, sausage, and oj waiting for me to make in the morning. Thank you Carol!!
Tomorrow will be another long haul in order to get into Austin, TX. Probably around 100 miles again, maybe a little less. Will be tough but worth it when I hopefully get to walk around the city a little tomorrow night. That means another early departure, probably around 8...no later than that really. Once I'm done with this blog, I'll try to find a place to stay. If I can't get a warmshowers host, there is a hostel I can head to, which may be a better option anyway since I'll be in the city. I'll figure that out later.
I made two of the best food purchases of the trip today. First, I bought 12 cookies from Subway. Brilliant. Then at the store in Independence, I bought girl scout cookies. I decided on peanut butter delights. Also brilliant. You're welcome self.

I have very little 3G coverage out here so it would be a pain to update the animal count, with having to find it, copy and paste it. So hopefully tomorrow, but you know there will be zebras on there. I was riding up another hill and saw a bunch of deer to my left fenced in. I stopped and snapped a picture and then saw what looked to be some elk. Weird but okay, then I saw a zebra and had to do a double take because I thought I was going insane. But then I saw a second zebra. Unfortunately, right before I got off a picture of them, they ran off. Bummer. Turns out that the fenced in area holds exotic animals...in the middle of nowhere, texas. Who'd a thunk it?
I took a ton of pictures today, and I got a close up of a real Texas Longhorn. It had slipped through a hole in the wire fence about 5 feet from me so I took a couple pics and then watched as 3 ranchers came running over and herded it back in and fixed the fence. Pretty cool to see in person, I tried to get a video of it, but they were too quick.
I talked to Mason today, one of the two guys I rode with for a little while about 2 weeks ago or so. He had given me a call but I missed it so I called him back tonight. He was wondering where I was and wanted to check up on me since some guy told him a biker had been hit and hurt pretty bad in louisiana, he wanted to make sure it wasn't me. Really nice of him and it meant a lot or him to call and see if I was alright. They are back in the Baton Rouge area so I am now a week ahead of them...at my pace meaning I probably won't see them again, but ride safe!