Day 11: Wednesday, April 27 - Tucumcari, NM to Dalhart, TX, 96 miles for the day, 2078' up, 2221' down

The fast riders

We had a delayed start to today's ride at 7:45, due to expected cold early morning temperatures and a mere 96 mile ride (the fast riders regarded it as a "rest day"). It was cool, but not cold, with no tights needed, and only a windbreaker over a long sleeve jersey on top needed. The ride profile sure does not show it, but it seemed like we kept going slightly uphill for the first 20 miles - never steep or hard, just gently sloping up. The roadside had patches of white flowers, yellow flowers, and some orange with brown centers flowers - demonstrating that we were beginning to get to where there was a bit more rainfall, as the landscape turned greener.

The pace line in action.

Somewhere behind them.

Our route took us up Historic Route 66 all the way to Dalhart, Texas. For the first 25 miles, we rode to the right of rumble strips on a relatively smooth new shoulder from 6" - 18" wide. It did not take much loss of concentration, either taking a drink or taking a quick peek at the cue sheet (the list with the directions, turns, stops, SAG locations, etc.) to wander onto the rumble strip and get a shaking. Our first SAG stop was at 25.2 miles. 29 miles later, we crossed into Texas. Three states down and we will not be in Texas long, crossing in the narrow panhandle.

After lunch at mile 66, the windbreaker and the skull cap came off, as the temperatures warmed in the strong sun. I had not put sunscreen on my legs, thinking they were getting sufficiently tanned so I would not need it, but I got a little burned in a couple of spots.

SAG stop.

We had a slight head wind in the morning, and a bit of head or cross wind in the afternoon, but the wind was not much of a factor today. The ease or difficulty of the rides in this part of the country is entirely dependent on the direction and velocity of the winds. So far, we have been very lucky with the weather, other than the first day with the nasty headwinds. Other trips led by America By Bicycle have not always been so  lucky. We know there is some bad weather in the areas ahead of us, with lots of thunderstorms, but we are hoping it clears out before we get there.

The route today had a bit of up and (well, not much down, it seemed) and the road stretched ahead visible for miles. The back of the cue sheet showed a profile of 2078 feet up and 2221 feet down, but I have no idea where those down stretches were. There was not much variety to see, but there was a lot of it. At about mile 87, there were some cattle feedlots, but thankfully, the wind was blowing so that the smell was not too bad. I recalled when I worked for farmers in the past, the fathers would teach their kids that "it smells like money".

I arrived in Dalhart having ridden 96 miles about 3:30 Mountain time (4:30 Central time), and after stopping at Subway for a takeout dinner, it was a scramble getting to RAP (where we get our instructions for the next day) at 5:00 Central. With the loss of the hour, we have a bit less time to relax, sleep and recover, but we don't need to take off until 7:00 tomorrow, so no problem.

Today had been a good day. Not only was I able to ride the entire planned route without getting "bumped ahead" (only the second time on 10 days of riding), but I felt the best I have felt since Day 1, riding strong the entire way and standing to pedal every once in a while to gain speed, give me a saddle break, relax my neck and shoulders with a different hand position and to use slightly different leg muscles to give the others a break. I hope I can repeat the performance tomorrow.

We have had awesome weather, other than the first day with the nasty headwinds. Tomorrow, however, the forecast is for some head winds. If so, that will make for a long day.

Day 12: Thursday, April 28 - Dalhart, TX to Pampa, TX, 112 miles for the day, 1,298 so far, 3,800' of climbing.

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For our ride leader's (Mike Monk) version of today's ride, go here.