Barry (birthday boy), Pat and I
- Rio Grande River
- First SAG of day
- Albuquerque from 5 miles out and up
Evening all,
Today was one of the sad days of the tour. Bill has ridden with us from LA to Albuquerque and today is his last day. Bill has had to second most flats (guess who has the honor of #1?) with 10. After a bad flat day and with his foot bothering him pretty bad last week, Bill almost packed it in. Bill said tonight that the support of 22 others and his family made him stick with it. Bill is one of the strongest riders and has ridden well since. He only signed up for the tour to Albuquerque as this is his home. I know that quite a few of us are sad about his departure. We are a team …
With that said, I will say that I felt stronger today. Last night the wind was howling like it was the dead of winter. It abated some today but luckily four us, it was not blowing in our faces. We were often going along at 30 mph and had an easy day getting into our destination. I had only 1 flat. After we got in, I went to a bicycle flat with a few other riders and we purchased fly resistant tires. (they didn’t have the Schwalbe but I did find Gatorskins).
Today also was Barry’s birthday (60) and his room was decorated and we sang Happy Birthday to him a couple of times (much to his chagrin!). Wendy, his wife, had cake and coffee to celebrate after dinner (Applebee’s).
We did have a 5 mile climb today , just before Albuquerque. The road was under construction and we got to ride the new highway before the cars. A few members of our group actually went on the diverted highway, and one unnamed rider commented to me “That was the scariest time that I ever had on bicycle!”. He also said that he was buzzed by a couple of very large trucks…..
After the next few days of riding, we will be done with highway riding completely. It is legal to ride on the highway, IF there are no other routes available. That announcement was greeted by a round of applause at our nightly group meeting. Most of the flat occur because of highway rubble and debris on the shoulder. The other roads are usually a lot better.
Ciao
Chuck
chuckhardesty 
Great posts thank you for the updates. Give and get a hug from Chet for me. I’m telling everyone about your trip. A lot of folks supporting the cause Every peddle push is a stroke closer to comfort for the wounded. You guys rock.
Thanks Lois – Some nights we really have little time to do the stories and then the internet connection may be faulty. I’ll give Chet a hug for you! It certainly is motivation when we have bad days – a few flats and some physical discomfort is nothing compared to what many of our Wounded Warriors endure. We owe a lot to those folks. Many thanks for all that you are doing to help spread the word. Chuck
Hey Chuck, are any riders from Boston? One of my clients is a columnist for the Boston Globe and would like to do a story if there is a Boston connection.
Hi Charlie, unfortunately no riders from Boston. We have a tandem couple from New Hampshire and my room mates cause,Children’s Dyslexic Centers Inc is located Lexington Mass. Only 22 total riders so most states have no representation plus 3 riders are from the UK and one couple is from Canada…
OK Chuck, maybe there’s enough of a connection for her to do a story. I’ll pass the info along to her…….. Have a great ride today!!!
Thanks – we get a day of rest after today in Santa Fe NM. It will be welcome!
nice to hear of your ride yesterday. sorry that your friend is leaving. what an adventure!
Thanks Carol
Yes I think that is a taste of what is to come . We have stories just about every night. Now we are beginning to see some progress on the overall map.I may have to think of another when this one is over! Chuck
Really enjoy reading your posts, Chuck!I admire your courage and fortitude, and imagine the stories you will have at the end of your journey. Keep pushin’ on,friend!
Hi Cathy,
It is great to hear from you. I miss our conversations that we had at work and I hope that you are doing well. You can tell that i need a a better writer and proof reader!. Sometimes the internet is terrible and I don’t have a lot of time to write the stories up. I really appreciate your kind comments and look forward to seeing some of the old gang at WFA when I return!
Ciao
Chuck
You are living the dream. I knew I would hear talk of another ride before this ride was over!
Hi Kathy,
Well I am just getting into halfway decent shape. I’d like to try something when I am in a little better condition. Still 15 pounds over the weight that I’d like to carry. these are fun as well but there are some days, I say WHY? Cheers Chuck
Like they say “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” You are having one heck of a journey. Thank God for your day of welcome rest tomorrow.
Hi Kathy,’
You are 100% correct and I and the 3 guys from Great Britain had a few beers tonight so that the day of welcome rest will indeed be well utilized!!!
Ciao
Chuck
Chuck, may the sun rise to meet your face
And the wind always be at your back, may you find time to stop and smell the flowers, and may your gatorskins be as tough as your spirit!
Be safe ride high!
Hi Sandi,
and have a calloused butt! I like your ideas though. Actually I don’t think we have had any overcast days to say anything of rain.Something, I think it was some flower smelled really good around Albuquerque. Chuck
How did you like the Rio Grand? There are places in it that are very wide and deep, also places certain times of the year you can jump across. My Mom had a winter home 8 mi from the Rio and her neighbor told me that he had been there for 30 yrs and hardly a year would go by he didn’t see a dead body floating down it, from trying to swim to America and drowning. Hope you didn’t see any of that, maybe less are trying because if the economy?
Eat lots of juicy carbs for energy and have a good week to come!
How did I like the Rio Grande? I felt like jumping in – I did go to the pool at the hotel and swam some laps afterwards. It wasn’t very wide there nor did it look deep. I suspect more of the crossings are in Texas since this is farther from the border. I saw no dead people but lots of dead coyotes and snakes on the roads. I eat about twice what I eat at home and we have all sorts of carbs – fruits, cues, energy bars and gels, snacks, candy and energy drinks at the SAG stops. I drink almost constantly with the camel back (gatorade) and have 2 24 ounce bottles with water.
Thanks for your nice comments!
Chcuk