Day 15 - 5/30/08
Start - a little down 315
End - El Rito, NM
Mileage - ~ 60
So the day started nice, early, and beautiful from our campsite near 9000 feet. We had an excellent campfire last night that helped to keep things somewhat warm. It was actually the first fire that we've made this trip and it was certainly rather pleasant. We stopped a bit early after extractinc some water from a well, enjoyed the evening, and then I slept like a dream.
The day started out with about 12 miles of climbing to reach just above 10,000 feet. We then turned off of 144 onto 27 to start descending down into Abiquiu, NM. On the descent some motorcyclists passed us that were riding the Great Divide. Their names were Al and Pete from New York. Super nice guys. We ended up seeing them a few times on the 20+ mile descent down from the Santa Fe mountains. The descent was somewhat rocky at first, but started smoothing out towards the end. We passed through the old Abiquiu pueblo prior to reaching Bode's general store at the base of the descent on highway 84. Abiquiu is a super nice place and is well known as the place where Georgia Okeefe did her paintings. Quite interesting.
Well anyways, we made it to Bode's General Store and met up once again with Al and Pete eating lunch. We were planning to delve into our divine cuisine of peanut butter and tortillas, but Al and Pete very generously purchased our lunch for us. Much thanks to them for the high quality calories. Mark and I had burgers (i rocked the veggie burger)
with fries, followed by a bean and cheese burrito. Pure bliss. As we both fought the desier to enter a deep food comatose, we assumed our position in front of the store and read a little bit of the Fountainhead. Very full and content with life.
Individuals would stop occasionally and ask what our lives were like. Informing them resulted in a mixture of reactions- from disgust, pleasure, envy....the spectrum. We were also given some organic eggs and greens from a very nice couple from Holland that were working on Harmony Farms. It always proves to be rather interesting while loitering outside of store in small towns- especially when everything in your life is strapped onto a bike nearby.
Following 3.5 hours of "chillin", we started the migration to El Rito. We had about an 18 mile ride from Abiquiu to reach El Rito, all on the road. All is going well, but I've started to develop some more mechanical difficulties. First, on the descent the plastic holder on the back of my Topeak panniers broke, allowing the pannier to flap aimlessly in the wind on the back of the bike- not a good thing. So I took some rope off of my tarp and tied the pannier to the rack in a very neanderthalic manner. The pannier looks rather instereting now with all of its repairs- duct tape, rope, scavenged nuts/bolts, multiple bunjee cords...the list goes on. Regardless, I've only got about one week left until I get my new Ortlieb panniers- can't wait.
Okay- second issue- my left crank arm has been coming loose for the last day and the bolt doesn't want to stay tight. It starts loosening up a little after about 30 minutes of riding- rather hard to ride with just a right leg. So I decided something needed to be done, therefore I stopped at the fire station in El Rito on the way into town. We got there just in time for a town meeting, complete with walnut brownies- quite delicious. I was in search for a torque wrench with an 8mm allen head attachment. One individual directed us to his house to wait until the meeting was over so we could fix Uncus, my bicycle. Mark and I made it to the house, relaxed until the owners showed up and then got to know some amazing individuals.
Jack and Viki Edwards are the kind souls that took us in and allowed us to sleep at their abode. After snacks of chips, guacamole, pistachios, washed down with a Tecate with lime, Mark and I made dinner in their kitchen- yes, on a real stove, a treat.
I made an egg burrito with the organic eggs from Harmony Farms- quite amazing. I found two more trail angels in this world, no doubt at all. Tomorrow we're going to figure out this crank business and see how it goes.
Stewie out
Start - a little down 315
End - El Rito, NM
Mileage - ~ 60
So the day started nice, early, and beautiful from our campsite near 9000 feet. We had an excellent campfire last night that helped to keep things somewhat warm. It was actually the first fire that we've made this trip and it was certainly rather pleasant. We stopped a bit early after extractinc some water from a well, enjoyed the evening, and then I slept like a dream.
The day started out with about 12 miles of climbing to reach just above 10,000 feet. We then turned off of 144 onto 27 to start descending down into Abiquiu, NM. On the descent some motorcyclists passed us that were riding the Great Divide. Their names were Al and Pete from New York. Super nice guys. We ended up seeing them a few times on the 20+ mile descent down from the Santa Fe mountains. The descent was somewhat rocky at first, but started smoothing out towards the end. We passed through the old Abiquiu pueblo prior to reaching Bode's general store at the base of the descent on highway 84. Abiquiu is a super nice place and is well known as the place where Georgia Okeefe did her paintings. Quite interesting.
Well anyways, we made it to Bode's General Store and met up once again with Al and Pete eating lunch. We were planning to delve into our divine cuisine of peanut butter and tortillas, but Al and Pete very generously purchased our lunch for us. Much thanks to them for the high quality calories. Mark and I had burgers (i rocked the veggie burger)
with fries, followed by a bean and cheese burrito. Pure bliss. As we both fought the desier to enter a deep food comatose, we assumed our position in front of the store and read a little bit of the Fountainhead. Very full and content with life.Individuals would stop occasionally and ask what our lives were like. Informing them resulted in a mixture of reactions- from disgust, pleasure, envy....the spectrum. We were also given some organic eggs and greens from a very nice couple from Holland that were working on Harmony Farms. It always proves to be rather interesting while loitering outside of store in small towns- especially when everything in your life is strapped onto a bike nearby.
Following 3.5 hours of "chillin", we started the migration to El Rito. We had about an 18 mile ride from Abiquiu to reach El Rito, all on the road. All is going well, but I've started to develop some more mechanical difficulties. First, on the descent the plastic holder on the back of my Topeak panniers broke, allowing the pannier to flap aimlessly in the wind on the back of the bike- not a good thing. So I took some rope off of my tarp and tied the pannier to the rack in a very neanderthalic manner. The pannier looks rather instereting now with all of its repairs- duct tape, rope, scavenged nuts/bolts, multiple bunjee cords...the list goes on. Regardless, I've only got about one week left until I get my new Ortlieb panniers- can't wait.
Okay- second issue- my left crank arm has been coming loose for the last day and the bolt doesn't want to stay tight. It starts loosening up a little after about 30 minutes of riding- rather hard to ride with just a right leg. So I decided something needed to be done, therefore I stopped at the fire station in El Rito on the way into town. We got there just in time for a town meeting, complete with walnut brownies- quite delicious. I was in search for a torque wrench with an 8mm allen head attachment. One individual directed us to his house to wait until the meeting was over so we could fix Uncus, my bicycle. Mark and I made it to the house, relaxed until the owners showed up and then got to know some amazing individuals.
Jack and Viki Edwards are the kind souls that took us in and allowed us to sleep at their abode. After snacks of chips, guacamole, pistachios, washed down with a Tecate with lime, Mark and I made dinner in their kitchen- yes, on a real stove, a treat.
I made an egg burrito with the organic eggs from Harmony Farms- quite amazing. I found two more trail angels in this world, no doubt at all. Tomorrow we're going to figure out this crank business and see how it goes.
Stewie out
No comments:
Post a Comment