Tour day 17 and 18

Had a great night of sleep. Needed it for the big rode today of 109 miles. Woke up to the 40s. Tucumcari New Mexico is our next stop on the tour. 90 degrees  when we get there. Wind again. Here is the weather and our itinerary. This is Monday Memorial Day. Thanks for all those that have served.

Started out with a climb and little wind. That changed. Here are some pics after we left town.

8

The 1st sag stop was at an abandoned gas station.

There is cattle and abandoned buildings everywhere. Always something around each corner. 

We climbed a mountain and we came over to a beautiful sight of a valley opening up to the prairie.  

Had to watch out for the cattle guards on the descent. Got some speed going and then they appeared. Paula of Crossroads would not of been happy hitting one of  them and catapulting over the side. Long way down. At lunch stop met an interesting guy from Germany. Crosses Europe all the time and checking us and the US out for a future ride here. He's the one in the shorts. More shots of the terrain. 

After the last sag it was on to Tucumcari where the last 9 miles was a killer. Couple of steep hills where one was at 11% for a mile. Here are some pics.

Coming over the last hill was hoping for a nice descent and role into the hotel. Wrong. 32 miles per hour winds in our face for about 4 miles. Felt like standing still. Part of the ride. Can't fight mother nature.  

Not sure what that is but that's what greated me coming into town. Waiting at a light to make it to the hotel. Here is my travels on relive. Check it out. 

J

Tour day 18

Heading out from Tucumcari New Mexico to Dalhart Texas for 96 miles. This will be our 3rd state line crossing. Flat and not to much to see.  Also in central time zone.  Now only one hour behind.  50s to start. Great cool biking weather. Here is the weather report and itinerary. 

Pics just before 1st sag. 

Flat flat and more flat. Here we are at the state line.

Well there was not much to take pictures of except coming into town. Had thousands of cattle on both sides of the road getting fattened up to meet there demise.  To our kitchen table or a restaurant. 

Yes that  mass of black are all cows. These pictures don't give justice to what I sadly witnessed. Thousands! 

Well today was a great day for riding 96 miles. Had a tail wind where I averaged about 19 miles an hour. Kicking it.  Tomorrow is another day. Heading to Oklahoma for our 4th state line crossing. Guymon to be exact. Have never been to New Mexico, Texas or Oklahoma. Treat for me.  Lots to see. Here is my relive for today. Check it out. 

Hope you enjoyed. Not as much as me though. Its very hard but so satisfying. Getting easier with more miles. Doing 96 miles today (wind aided) was great. About time it finally cooperated all day.