Why we ride…

Day 6 sept 10

Five men all jammed into one little cabin. The two bunk beds were something handed down from an old YMCA summer camp. Oh the squeaking anytime someone rolled over.

It started sprinkling at sunrise while we were waiting for coffee. The sky was painted with a double rainbow! The night before we arranged with the two Amish sisters for some early breakfast sandwiches. One of the sisters was a baker of breads, the other sweets like cookies and cinnamon rolls. Our breakfast was a handmade biscuit with eggs, bacon, and cheese. We stood there entirely enjoying our breakfast while staring at their antique fire engine. The sourdough was so good, I bought a loaf.

The bike ride that morning was one of the reasons we ride. Our trail floated down the canyon following a river. Along the way we saw horses. Stopping for a photo, a young pony came to the fence and let us scratch his forehead.

We stopped at a junction in the highway and had a coffee break. Midday was another big climb over another pass of 11,000 feet. Naturally the weather went from spectacular to spectacularly dark. Everyone threw on their rain gear in hopes to hold off the rain. We sailed downhill and got caught in the middle of a cattle drive that crossed in front of us. We continued downhill and turned onto another dirt road that would take us into some very remote areas. Our support truck missed the turn. Between the rain and anxiousness of everyone to get on the trail, it was hard to stay waiting for our chase truck. Fortunately a hunter came out of the remote area and agreed to drive the pavement downhill to retrieve our truck.

Once together, we headed out into no where. In fifteen minutes we crossed into New Mexico. The dirt road went to a jeep trail with larger rocks littered all over ( that’s called foreshadowing).

We found yet another climb to 10,000 ft. Pedaling away, dodging rocks and ruts. The rain had filled much of the tire ruts. It was cool and windy. At one point, a little red fox dropped onto the trail. Looked at us for a moment and then disappeared. What a beautiful creature. No time for a photo. Just left us slack jawed and saying “did you see that!”

We had clicked off about twenty miles since the pavement. Just then our chase truck got a flat tire. Everyone sprang into action. Less than an hour later but plenty of cussing, we had the spare back on the truck. The clouds didn’t really help improve our moods. We rode another mile and found a campsite above a remote grazing pasture. Not a moment was wasted and we all agreed that the first thing was to get our tents set up before the rain. The cold wind made everything a bit more challenging but once the rain fly is over your tent now you can control our level of comfort. Quickly we set up the pop up and our field kitchen. One pump gas stove on a Costco table and a big pot. Into the pot went a premade stew Theresa and I had made. I was a little worried because the stew has been defrosted for two days. Now was no time to double check anything so into the pot it went and as much bulk of other things we could spare from our supplies. I added a can of white beans, two cans of cooked chicken, and a few more cups of water. Dale agreed it needed salt and pepper so we hit it hard with more spices. After it reached boiling, which at that elevation must have been only 180 degrees, we used a coffee cup to ladle the soup into bowls. Dale had warmed up the loaf of sourdough by wrapping it in foil and throwing it on the only burner left.

The hot meal was a hit. It disappeared and made everyone warm and happy. We had some dessert of birthday Sees candy which produced a few more smiles. There was no time wasted cleaning up and getting into our tents out of the wind.

That night it rained more that usual. We must’ve chosen a good spot to camp in because a thunderstorm decided at midnight to camp there too. Every crack of light was so bright it made me jump. Eventually I tried to holler at the other guys to see if anyone had been ‘smoted’ by lightning.

We all woke up the next morning in one piece.

The next day still had its worries.