Day 40 , 0 miles (2347). Explored Silver City, visited the bike shop and purchased a very nice Osprey hydration backpack. On really dry days (mid-day in these arid desert-like areas often has relative humidity levels below 10 percent) it is hard to drink enough to stay properly hydrated, so a backpack should help.
Day 41, 84 miles (2431), left Silver City NM at sunup, climbed a few miles and crossed the Continental Divide and soon left New Mexico. Had a great camp in Three Way AZ where I met two Canadians (from Nainimo BC).
Day 42, 114 miles (2544). Left 3 Way at sunup and immediately had a 10 mile, 2K foot climb, followed by a nice downhill. After only 32 miles I was faced with a dilemma, stop for the night or press on knowing that the next legitimate camping site was 74 miles away! The majority of the 74 miles would be through the Apache Indian Reservation, where camping was by permit only, and permits could only be obtained very near the end of the 74 mile jaunt. No help there.
If I stayed with the short riding day, there was a camping spot nearby with 102 degree clothing optional hot springs.......but I made the fatal mistake of looking at the weather. The next days forecast called for blustery SW winds, not what I wanted for riding the narrow, debris choked shoulders of the only highway through the reservation. So I wistfully bid goodbye to the hot springs and saddled up.
In the end it was a very long day, nearly 11 hours of riding, but I am damned glad I did it. The road shoulder was crappy, frequently overgrown with bushes, and traffic was heavy and fast. It would have been much more difficult with gusty winds. Tonight I am camped at a cute RV park in downtown Globe AZ.
No comments:
Post a Comment