Hello LR12 followers. A quick survey with the riders this morning at breakfast indicated that yesterday's 109 mile ride was the toughest of the tour thus far; even more grueling than the 116 miler from Blythe to Wickenburg on Day 5. Everyone was indicating low energy and enthusiasm for today's 96 mile stroll into Texas.
The premonitions of another tough day came true today thanks to a strong and persistent north wind. Since we were traveling NE all day, well you get the picture: 96 miles into a quartering headwind. Mike K and I worked as a team-of-two pace line for most of the day and that really helped. The front rider bears the brunt of the wind and 'pulls' for about 1/2 mile or so and the rear rider gets a significant relief. Then the two riders swap positions for another 1/2 mile or so, and again and again. This kind of cooperation allows the two (or more riders) to significantly extend their range or increase speed when compared to a single rider. Anyway, even with this help the day was slow: it took us 6 Hr and 48 min to cover the 96 miles, only averaging 14.1 mph. Tomorrow is a short and flat 70 miles, to OK so we should be in better shape, barring any unusual wind. [Note fingers crossed]
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| The classic windmill of the prairie ..... |
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| L-R: Tom, John, Mike K, Mike F and Craig at the Texas border |
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| Welcome to Texas!!!!! |
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| The cattle fead lot near Dalhart, TX. 70,000 cows in there, and yes you could smell them all!!!! |
Click below to see details of today's ride....
Day 18: Tucumari NM to Dalhart, TX by xctom2012 at Garmin Connect - Details
2 comments:
Ugh, 96 miles into the wind; good times! You da man, Tom, keep up the good fight!
Ken
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
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