Brother Mark's entry in our Shelley Brothers Cycling Adventures Facebook page today:
Day 1: "Top of the World"-Over the Continental Divide
Rule #1 of Bicycle Touring--Be flexible, because RARELY does a trip go as planned.
Well...this time that happened om Day 1.
Because of major road construction on I-40 and "iffy" conditions on that stretch, we had originally planned on following the Adventure Cycling Association's route south through El Morro and El Malpais National Monuments. But we woke up to forecasts of near freezing temps tonight and high winds throughout.
We agreed that our "3 season" gear probably wouldn't do well in these elements, so we revised our riding plans and stayed true to Route 66 to Grants, which was 10 miles further than we planned to ride today.
We agreed that our "3 season" gear probably wouldn't do well in these elements, so we revised our riding plans and stayed true to Route 66 to Grants, which was 10 miles further than we planned to ride today.
The road conditions were indeed NOT great, but the construction crews allowed us to ride where they were working, separated from traffic. Although the riding was harder ( dirt and sand), it was definitely safer.
We made it over the Continental Divide at 7245 feet above sea level, then another 35 miles into Grants, for a total of 64 miles today.
Winds gusted up to 35 mph, making our ride a bit challenging.
We're spending the evening eating pizza and trying to raise our body temperatures back into the normal range.
Winds gusted up to 35 mph, making our ride a bit challenging.
We're spending the evening eating pizza and trying to raise our body temperatures back into the normal range.
Pedalling out of Gallup with the sun clearing the eastern horizon we are are treated to beautiful iconic Southwest vistas.
Also notice the almost constant train track feature more often than not paralleling Route 66 in this region.
So grateful for the thoughtfulness of the construction workers permitting and encouraging us to ride on their road-building-in-process.
Those transport trucks would be way to close if we were riding on the other side of that barrier.
The mostly hard packed gravel road not really a major problem for our slightly-wider-than-usual cyclocross tires.
About 70 km (43 miles) literally "up" the road we cross the Continental Divide; the geographical watershed for the east and west of the USA.
Water falling on the east side of this area flows towards the Mississippi River and down to the Gulf of Mexico at New Orleans.
Water falling on the west side of this area flows towards the Pacific Ocean.
Mark stands right on the Continental Divide.
Even though the mid-day sun shines upon him, notice Mark dresses for warmth, typical for the first few days of this trip.
Pick your elevation of preference.
This sign, just across the parking lot from the previous photo informs that we are now 30 ft higher.
Who knows?
Such elevation deserves respect, but this won't be our highest elevation on the trip. Nor will today's mountains be our steepest and most challenging. (Notice nothing screams "Mountains" in today's photos!) That adventure comes in a couple of days.
For the next 35 km (22 miles) Route 66 gets designated as a Service Road for the Interstate. Low traffic and safe. We like it.
Kent wins the prize for first flat tire of the trip. An expert flat tire repair person, he quickly and skillfully dazzles the non-existent crowd of onlookers with his professional prowess.
We love this part of the USA as it provides a continuous feast of natural beauty for the eyes.
102.3 km (63 mi) along Route 66 finds us at our vintage motel for the night.
Clean, simple, warm. All we need.
We climbed 368 m (1,207 ft). We averaged 15.7 kph (9.7 mph).
Getting warm and eating pizza for supper now priority #1, then shower and rest up for tomorrow's adventure.
Today's route.
An almost symmetrical elevation profile for our ride.
The riders on the bikes speed up and down throughout the day.
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