4/2 – Salida-ing Around
Paul, the Versys rider I met at the hostel in Santa Fe, also made it to Salida! We were both a bit worn out, but took a quick ride up Spiral Drive for a view of the town....
4/1 – Unexpected Heights
225 miles. I’ve done some difficult things before…but riding over 200 miles leaned into a cross wind, dodging tumbleweed, and then having it turn into a headwind for the last 20 or so miles climbing Poncha Pass (surprise, 9,010 ft!)? The temperatures dropped suddenly to 10 C, hands hurting,...
3/31 – Lukewarm Springs
176 miles. Took the high road into Taos, and the low road back. There’s a dirt portion that drops you from the top of the canyon to the bottom, and then you follow the river – my favorite part. Also, it’s a good thing I got used to worse...
3/30 – All the Green Chiles
Toolin’ around Santa Fe with hostel friends, grillin’ and choppin’. I nearly fell over on the Vespa, because it doesn’t pick up the same at 7,199 feet above sea level....
3/29 – Surprise, Lava Fields?
235 miles. Pulling out of Zuni, and the home of Sheryl and Strallie, felt like leaving another world. There are some things in life that change you just by exposure. I picked up historic Route 66 again for a while, there’s an interesting stretch where suddenly the earth turns...
3/28 – Mudhead Life Lessons
111 miles. I was aiming for Santa Fe, but stopped in Zuni for a tamale. Sheryl was also picking up tamales, and invited me to stay at her home to watch traditional Zuni dancing that afternoon and night. It was one of those magical moments that could only happen...
3/27 – Teepees and RVs
241 miles. Is the Blue Mesa blue because of the shadows from the setting sun, or will it look different in the midday light? Struck up a conversation with Josh, who was playing guitar while his devices charged....
3/26 – Taking Care of Business
Back at Waldo’s, running life maintenance. I stumbled into a cool co-working space, CO+HOOTS, while searching coffee shops to work out of today. I have not hit the tamale wall....
3/25 – Road Picklers
144 miles. Back to Phoenix, but this time with road buddies! Funny to realize that though this is the third time I’ve crossed paths with Sash and Steve, I’ve never actually ridden with them outside of town. Bikes loaded for the move, Steve was in the lead and Sash...
3/24 – Dinner Conversation
85 miles. Awesome ride up Mt Lemmon to Summerhaven. There isn’t much to the little ski village at the top, but the temps are cooler and I got a bit of drawing done. Dinner with Sash and Steve‘s friends, Chris and Mike, tonight! Super fun people who love their...