Day 16 - Las Vegas, NM to Tucumcari, NM - 110 miles - 3,100 feet of climbing - 6:40 hours in the saddle

Today was a hard day for me.  The ride was long, more hills than I thought, hot and not many distractions on the road.  New Mexico State Road 104 has been named one of the most remote roads in the US.  There were no services for the first 74 miles of our ride.  I did not even see a house until Mile 20.  I dubbed today, the Ride of Solitude!  There were not many cars (good) or other distraction on the road and I rode most of the day by myself.  Today seemed about getting miles behind us!

The day started with some long steady climbs before the legs were even warmed up.  I took many pictures of the road that seemed to go on forever.

SAG 1 was at an abandoned gas station that was in a scene of No Country for Old Men (and it felt like that for this 65 year old today).  And they said there were no restroom facilities at this SAG!

Coming into SAG 1 we had been enjoying a freshly asphalted road.  But we caught up to the construction crew and came upon a stop light in the middle of nowhere!  Then we had an amazing descent off the Canadian Escarpment.

After a PB&J lunch at SAG 2, the road continued to go on forever.  Along the way we were treated to a couple of nasty climbs, the first of was 1.1 miles averaged a 5+ percent grade, but went as high as an 8+ percent grade.  Ouch!

After SAG 3 at 76 miles we had a 33 miles run in to Tucumcari, which has remnants of the once thriving Route 66.  I was never so happy to see the city limit sign!

I am exhausted tonight, but loving every minute of the ride.   We have another long ride tomorrow (94 miles) as we ride into Texas.

Savor the Journey // Achieve the Goal