Wednesday, May 17, 2023

May 17, 2023

Day 11 - Gallup, NM to Grants, NM - 67 miles - 968 feet climbing - 3:56 hours in the saddle

Even though today started with another room flat (second in 2 days), it was a great day in the saddle!  The headlines of today are the Continental Divide and Junkyard on 66 Brewery.  Today’s ride was about 30 miles up to the Continental Divide and 30 down to Grants.  A welcomed shorter day!

We started with a police escort out of Gallup on a cool morning with cloud cover on the Historic Route 66.  It was amazing how much quieter Route 66 was compared to I-40.  I could even hear the birds singing!  All day long we had the red rock buttes and the railroad tracks to our right.  We see the longest trains out here in the west.


Unfortunately we had to get back on I-40 for about 10 miles.  Road construction brought the interstate down to one lane.  For safety purposes we grouped a dozen on us together and Tom drove the box truck behind us for protection.  If you have to ride on the Interstate, this is the way to go!


Then the Continental Divide!

Back on Route 66 for 30+ miles into Grants.



We got to Grants by noon.  Since our rooms weren’t ready, we spent some time at 1912 Market Coffee Shop.


Barbara and I then headed to Junkyard on 66 Brewery and were joined by more riders.  It was quite a find….a combination brewery, BBQ and working junkyard!  Would have liked to stay longer, but still had another mile to ride to the hotel.  I hope to find more of these unique watering holes along our journey!




Great beer, great BBQ, great Junkyard Brewery crew!

And still to the hotel by 3:15!  

Savor the Journey // Achieve the Goal



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1 comment:

  1. JimMay 17, 2023 at 4:47 PM

    I hope the construction on the highway was to fix the shoulder. When I rode XC09 and XC17, there was a section where the shoulder was very narrow, filled with soft sand and debris. With narrow tires, it was the scariest part of the rides. Stay safe.

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