Wednesday November 2, 2011, 35 miles (56 km) – Total so far: 2,032 miles (3,270 km)
We got an early start for the 65 miles to the next town of Lordsburg. We knew it was going to be a long day when we headed west into a very strong cold wind. Jocelyn picked up her 5th flat with two thorn punctures on the front. So we changed that out and pulled many thorns out of our tires before heading out again. The Whitneys had warned us of these thorns. Right through the Schwalbes too! We continued to work our way west into the increasing wind. After several hours and 35 miles later we were only moving around 5 mph and were almost geared all the way down. Did I say it was cold too and there were only a few more hours of sunlight? We stopped at a rest stop with facilities and decided we weren’t going to make it to the next town of Lordsburg before night so decided to try and hitch a ride. We eventually found a nice trucker who agreed to take us and our bikes. What was funny was he was trying to break into his truck as he locked the keys inside. So I helped him get in and we loaded our bikes into his empty semi. We had never been in a big rig before so it was fun as I sat in front and Jocelyn on the bed in the large cab. So we cheated for 30 miles because we didn’t want to be out on the road after dark and the wind was just too much. We were driven across the Continental Divide. He dropped us off in Lordsburg where we are now in a motel.
Considering all the nursing I have to do to keep my bike going we decided not to go north as the ACA route does and continue on I-10 and the parallel roads through Arizona. We had wanted to visit some fellow crazyguys in Phoenix but will stay south into Tucson. The ACA route involves too much climbing for my bike and my broken rib. Plus there is another cold front coming through tomorrow with the northern part of New Mexico going down in the 20’s. We are going to miss a lot of beautiful country but feel it just can’t be done in our situation. Maybe with my next bike.