Let’s talk about math. Today on the high plains of eastern New Mexico we rode four hours. Hills: sure. Headwinds: of course. We rode four hours through it all working like two friends who had survived everything weather could throw at us.
But again, let’s talk about the math. In four hard hours we rode 20 miles. That doesn’t count breaks…just the time that the wheels were turning. By 2:00 PM, with 20 miles under our belts, we were averaging 5 mph. Holy Smoke! Tucumcari was still 45 miles away. That makes 9 hours ride time, not counting breaks. And the weather was terrible. Math tells me we wouldn’t get there until well after midnight…if we held up.
We were optimistic when we started out that morning. But by ten or so things began to change. After a few miles of working against the hellacious wind in our faces, it became obvious to me. I turned to my partner.
“Mike, we’re not getting to Tucumcari tonight. We need some options.”
“What are you thinking?”
“I’m calling MaryAnn.”
I hoped Mike might have been thinking along the same lines. He paused a minute. The wind howled. A kingbird was flying backwards.
“You mean for her to pick us up?”
“If it comes to that. But yeah, probably.”
“It’s okay with me.”
And with that mutual declaration, we decided to end our ride.
Staying out there in a tent was risky. A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect just to the south of us. Rain with high winds was forecast for our area that night.
This is no city park out here. If you can’t take care of yourself, you just create danger for others. Nothing good was going to come out of us spending the night by the side of the road.
Under other circumstances we might have turned around and gone back to Santa Rosa and waited it out…probably two or three days. But Mike and I have trekked the roads of North America for thousands of miles together. This ride was done and we both knew it.
We sure were happy to see MaryAnn bouncing up that old road this afternoon. We packed it up, bought her a stuffed sopapilla at Joseph’s Restaurant, and drove back to Albuquerque.
What a trip: nine days, eight towns, 336 miles. And you were right there with us with every turn of the wheel. Thanks.
And please, if you have enjoyed our travels together, take time to ‘like’ the OTR blog on Facebook. Or ‘friend’ me personally. The next adventure is not far away. Thanks again!
