Holbrook, AZ to Gallup, NM

When we cross a state line, we sprinkle some Manhattan Beach sand on the state sign in hope of appeasing the wind fairies.  Well, it worked.  Today we had, what Tracy calls, a reverse headwind.  She doesn't like to use the t-word in fear of jinxing the possibility.  It was cool when we left Holbrook and stayed that way all day.  Skies were cloudy and rain fell around us but not on the group.  Oh, we had strong reverse headwinds all day.  To get to Gallup from Holbrook, you have to ride on the shoulder of I-40.  The pavement is in good shape and we made great time today.

Tracy lets some of the slower riders depart at 7:00 AM, half an hour before the other riders.  This year, she is also holding back the Iron Men for half and hour after the other riders.  This is so they don't get too spread out on the road.  The two vans and Ryder truck patrol the road and one of the staff acts as a sweep rider.

This year's dawn patrol consists of the majority of riders.  The "normal" group is much smaller.  This morning, I was last out of the driveway and Dan led Willie and Mike R up the road at a fast pace.  Not wanting to push as hard, I fell back into DFL place (dead freaking last).  Tom Dunn was the CrossRoads staff designated sweep and kept pace with me to the first SAG stop.  The early group was still milling around, taking pictures, eating, and having a great time.  I didn't dawdle and was back on the road quickly.  The wind pushed me along.  The road was long and undulating, with long gentle climbs and long gentle descents.  At times I was flying along at 25 mph without pedaling.  Nice.

5:17; 94 miles; 1,921' climb; 3,901 Calories.

Steel belted radial truck tires result in tiny wires on the roadway.  These little pieces of metal are the bane of cyclists.  Yesterday, many riders had fl@ts and that continued today.  The time it takes to change a fl@t is directly proportional to the number of people helping.

What the scenery looks like between Holbrook and Gallup.

It's a hard life.

A bend in the river - dry at this time.

Chief Yellow Horse Trading Post

Welcome to New Mexico.  We changed time zone when we crossed the border.

It's raining outside as I type this.  Tomorrow we will get a late start on a "short" ride into Grants, NM.