Grants, NM to Albuquerque, NM-75 miles

Right after the first SAG stop at mile 30, about 45 miles from old town Albuquerque

Interesting rock formation, or not

Greg and Roy leading the way.

Scenic view about 30 miles from Albuquerque

Craig preparing for the annual frog skewering event.

Greg, feeling groovy apparently.


The last part of the big climb. A pic is always an excuse to stop.

Albuquerque at last!

The Rio Grande

And here we are in Albuquerque. The ride today was absolutely magnificent. Although it started out a little chilly in the a.m. (We left with temps in the high 40s) it was so much fun riding into Albuquerque. As the day progressed it reached over 80 degrees in Albuquerque and that means no leg warmers tomorrow. We typically shed our jacket shells and leg and arm warmers at the SAG stops along the way. Leg warmers are actually sophisticated black colored panty hose for men. Calling them leg warmers makes us feel more masculine but doesn't change the fact that this stuff is actually spandex. LOL. We also have white spandex known as leg or arm coolers depending on whether the panty hose are small or extra large.

For the most part, we rode old route 66. You could just visualize all the abandoned gas stations and restaraunts thriving at one time. The roadway was one abandoned building after another. Of course I have few pics of this because if you stop and take a pic you will never catch up at these speeds. And do you think these guys would wait? The Interstate just destroyed these businesses. Traffic was light and we had the "T word"-tailwind. There I said it and I don't believe it will change the weather tomorrow. More on that tomorrow. The weather has been most favorable thus far, making what is frequently a very hard trip more enjoyable. However, we lost our priest today-Father Kevin- and I am concerned about the weather. That and Doc joining us could mean weather problems ahead.

We were able to manage over 21 mph to the first SAG stop and over 19 mph for the day. We still have a few people (read Roy) who are just so strong that they find it hard to go any slower. Roy claims Harold set the hard pace and Harold claims it was Roy. Whenever a cyclist says he ain't racing, then he is. I rode with Greg to the first SAG and our newfound English friends Doug and Jon who we picked up somewhere along the route. Accordind to Jon, we set a brisk (said in burly English) pace. Roy and Harold however averaged almost 23 mph to the first SAG. Roy, Harold, Greg and I then rode together the rest of the way. This is really moving on the bikes and a lot of fun. It was a great day all in all. After the first SAG at mile 30 we had to get on the Interstate and reached a point where construction made it unsafe to bike so the vans shuttled us a few miles down the road to an area where there is a wide shoulder on which to bike. Heads up thinking by Tracy and her team. Each positive comment earns me an extra pound weight allowance in the baggage truck. Just kidding.

We did have a small 5 mile climb, but given that we were on the Interstate, the grade wasn't too harsh. That said, Greg, Harold and Roy (3 of the 4 strongest cyclists) dropped me on this climb. I only caught up when there was a question as to the direction to follow on the cue sheet. After deliberating and conferring (thats what we men do) of course we took the wrong turn and made sure we got in a few extra miles.

We crossed the Rio Grande today as modern day banditos would, on bikes of course. I actually think a bank robber could get away faster on a bike in traffic. Well it is getting on past my bedtime as I need my beauty rest for the trip to Santa Fe tomorrow. It is very scenic (Gaelic for hilly) tomorrow and we have over 5000 feet of climbing. All in all it will be a nice day and then we have a rest day.

Finally, I am posting a picture of my friend Craig who is Mr. Photogenic. He is always positive and upbeat and we are all suprised at his recovery from his mishap. Now that he is recovered we cut him no slack and he once again can be the target of one of verbal missiles. (thats another thing us guys do).

Later dudes....bike on (isn't this from Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure????

Ty