New Mexico
Fly like a duck or soar with the eagles.
Today I got to soar with the eagles. After a good night’s sleep at the Santa Fe Hotel- Thanks Charlotte for setting that up!
As I left Santa Fe New Mexico and headed out towards the mountains- I rode down some really nice roads that were long straight and flat. It was awesome! There was a bald eagle on one side and the mountains in the distance. This was the second day in a row that I saw a bald eagle. I also had a hawk follow me today for about ¾ of a mile. I guess they were checking to see if I left any Honey Stinger Bars behind.
The ride itself was about 5500 feet of climbing- a well needed change- there was one hill “heartbreak hill” which was a 27% grade. It was so hard to climb I had to switchback to get up it. It felt great to get to the top and see mesas and adobes as far as the eye could see. New Mexico is a wonderfully temperate state with tons of beautiful views. I am still trying to figure out why more people don’t live there. The city is also something to brag about. Santa Fe has the mix of low buildings to make it look suburban but the conveniences of a true urban setting. I realized this as I rode through at the beginning of the ride. Definitely a town to go back to, they even have a Dunkin Donuts!
So after the ride we headed out to Arizona and the drive and sunsets are awesome down here. Because the scenery is so nice- the time flies by. Normally I would take a nap on the drive to the next state- today I couldn’t. I had to get the views in while I can. It was spectacular to see the oranges of the rock and the oranges of the sky- it looked mystical.
Several people have asked what my day schedule looks like, below is roughly how a typical day goes:
4:45- get up have coffee and breakfast
5:00- write blog, download pictures, check route map for day
5:45- get dressed and ready for breakfast
6:00- Eat a yummy hotel breakfast- sometimes have to make my own (usually oatmeal and fruit)
6:30- on the road driving to ride start
6:45- Tuning bike- getting ready for ride
7:00 ish- On the road to ride 100 miles
1:00-2:00 ish- finish ride- pack up bike- eat a snack
2:30- shower
2:45 lunch
3:15- drive to next state
On drive- download GPS, Powertap, make calls, check emails, take a nap, EAT, look at maps for upcoming rides, work out media relations
7:45- Arrive in next state- eat dinner
8:45- get back to the hotel-
9:00- return calls to friends and family (depending on time zones)
9:45- get ready for bed
10:30 asleep
Just a typical day- there are things that come up day to day that we have to deal with, however, between Scot and I and very importantly, the team of people in CT and Steamboat, Steve, Charlotte, Wann, and Joan. We have been doing very well.
Now onwards to Flagstaff, Vegas, Portland, Anchorage, Seattle, Couer D’Alene, Mizzoula, Hemet, and…….
Gone to ride again-
Gary G