Sunday, October 17, 2010
Comstock to Sanderson...90 miles
AND...2800 feet of climbing. Whew, what a day.
We were already to go before 7:00 AM but had to wait around till about 15 after for enough light. Man I hate to say this but Ron's head lamp, that he bought a Wal Mart the day before came in handy.
Last time I rode here we were in such a rush to beat the heat we crossed the Pecos River without stopping so it was a must stop this trip. While Ron and I were on the viewing platform Jan and Lucky flew on by and missed a great view. No problem, like me they can stop next time.
We went up what seemed like the same hill all day long. On the steep parts of the climbs it was extra hot because the wind at our backs was about the same speed as the bikes were going so we had no breeze. It's funny how on these long days you seem to get a second wind and the hills get easier later on in the afternoon. Maybe your just tired and more relaxed?i
For sometime now we been looking forward to meeting our good friend Rich Gallo who is leading an Adventure Cycling group doing the Southern Tier west bound. Wouldn't you know we finally meet up out in the middle of no where...30 miles from anywhere. It was old home week for about 20 minutes. It was great to see Rich again, he looked fit and happy. We got to trade a few war stories but not nearly enough of them.
We really needed to get water at Dryden but were not sure the store was open so when Ron and I ran into a local guy a few miles out of Dryden we asked if he had any water. Mr. Baker was a nice guy with about 20 dogs. The dogs job was to keep the guys in green--border patrol-- off his place. They seemed to be doing a great job. It took awhile for a one armed man to sort out the dogs and get the water but we came into Dryden with bottles full. Mean time Jan and Lucky are sitting in the shade at the store drink a cold coke.
If a movie company wanted a ghost town to film in Sanderson would be a good candidate. Lots of stuff left when the railroad and sheep business went away. Another case where the kids could not find work and moved to the city which in this case is a long way from home.
We had a great paste and salad meal at a little restaurant that just opened and a good nights sleep at the Oasis Outback Motel.
We were already to go before 7:00 AM but had to wait around till about 15 after for enough light. Man I hate to say this but Ron's head lamp, that he bought a Wal Mart the day before came in handy.
Last time I rode here we were in such a rush to beat the heat we crossed the Pecos River without stopping so it was a must stop this trip. While Ron and I were on the viewing platform Jan and Lucky flew on by and missed a great view. No problem, like me they can stop next time.
We went up what seemed like the same hill all day long. On the steep parts of the climbs it was extra hot because the wind at our backs was about the same speed as the bikes were going so we had no breeze. It's funny how on these long days you seem to get a second wind and the hills get easier later on in the afternoon. Maybe your just tired and more relaxed?i
For sometime now we been looking forward to meeting our good friend Rich Gallo who is leading an Adventure Cycling group doing the Southern Tier west bound. Wouldn't you know we finally meet up out in the middle of no where...30 miles from anywhere. It was old home week for about 20 minutes. It was great to see Rich again, he looked fit and happy. We got to trade a few war stories but not nearly enough of them.
We really needed to get water at Dryden but were not sure the store was open so when Ron and I ran into a local guy a few miles out of Dryden we asked if he had any water. Mr. Baker was a nice guy with about 20 dogs. The dogs job was to keep the guys in green--border patrol-- off his place. They seemed to be doing a great job. It took awhile for a one armed man to sort out the dogs and get the water but we came into Dryden with bottles full. Mean time Jan and Lucky are sitting in the shade at the store drink a cold coke.
If a movie company wanted a ghost town to film in Sanderson would be a good candidate. Lots of stuff left when the railroad and sheep business went away. Another case where the kids could not find work and moved to the city which in this case is a long way from home.
We had a great paste and salad meal at a little restaurant that just opened and a good nights sleep at the Oasis Outback Motel.
