Day 11: Hollbrook, AZ to Gallup, NM

Heading out in the morning

 Well today was another near century entirely on a busy interstate highway, in this case I40.

All in all things went pretty well thanks primarily due to the WX cooperating. A high cirrus cloud layer kept the max temps down to around 90 and the winds all day were nicely out of the SW, hence the high average speed for the entire trip. Any other wind vector could have made this trip a real chore.

Total Miles: 89.03
5 Hr 07 min riding
2244 feet climbing
17.4 mph average speed

 I've been taking care of a rather annoying dime-sized blister on the skin of my 'bum' (as our UK riders call it) right at the place where the left sit-bone contacts the bike saddle. Needless to say this is not a good place to have any kind of sore spot. It takes me about 10 miles of riding before the pain turns from total distraction to manageable. Not sure if I just get numb or with a little practice I can ignore it. I'm wearing two pair of cycling shorts and using plenty of 'chamois cream' and 'bag balm' to reduce the friction. My legs are good, my knees are good, my cardio is good....my bum is not so good. However, it is not getting worse so I keep riding.

 

Due to the aforementioned distraction, I really was not feeling in any mood to ride 90 miles today. After about 16 miles into the ride, we were all stopped by a I40 construction project that had two bridges closed and the east bound lanes closed. After about 1/2 hour of skillful negotiating by our tour leader, we were allowed to ride on the closed section of eastbound I40 but were forced to walk our bikes thru heavy soft dirt at two bridge construction sites. Major pain in the rear but better than getting back in the vans and getting shuttled around the construction site. A lot of dirt in shoes and fear of more debris in the tires.

Surprisingly, after these two walks of about 200 yards each, my backside felt much better so I started to add some energy to the pace. I tagged up with another rider (Mike K.) of similar riding style and strength and we essentially finished the remaining 60 miles together. We really enjoyed looking for the passing trains and hearing the squeaking-clanking of the metal wheels on the tracks and the occasional blasting of the horn.

The towns along the old Route 66 are really depressed. Many shops closed, the only thing that seems to be surviving are the fast stop food places and Indian souvenir shops.

 

The historic El Rancho Hotel where many classic movie stars have stayed whose pictures line the upstairs walls

 

Now, this what you can do with some spare animal horns

Upon cleaning, a cut in the tire was discovered and replaced

 Click below to see details of today's ride. Again, don't be alarmed with the elevated heart rate at the beginning and a couple of other times when I adjusted the heart sensor strap.
Day 11: Hollbrook, AZ to Gallup, NM by xctom2012 at Garmin Connect - Details