Tossed about and tuckered

One of our British riders was discussing the meaning of knackered at breakfast. I mentioned that a blog title should be titled "knocked about and knackered." I am using a similar title. The wind was strong from the start. As Craig and I clipped into our pedals at the hotel, tornado sirens sounded. Fortunately, it was only a test. We averaged only 14.5 mph over 40 miles to the hotel in Liberal. One of the fast five said he averaged 12.5 mph. Craig and I left an hour early so we could ride and deliver bags. We beat Tracy to the hotel.

Kansas means south wind people. The weather is for more favorable winds out of the south tomorrow. I joked to Craig on the road that I expected today's wind to switch as we crossed the border five miles from town.

The photo will remind ES11 riders of our day into Myrtle Beach. It is of hwy 54 out of Tucumcari a couple days ago. The road was re-paved last year with a smaller shoulder and added rumble strips. Not as much traffic, but many more trucks.

I feel like Champ

I was the last one to leave the hotel, as usual, due to loading bags on the truck. Off into the headwind I went in pursuit. The fast riders were taking their time warming up. I was back with them after 3 miles. The pace was leisurely for a few more miles until Mike F. started a rotating echelon. Two of the nine riders wanted nothing to do with it. I did a few rotations until I noticed Chuck dropped out also. I went back to him and we rode easy to the Big Cowboy.

I had a chance to go as the others snapped photos. I had a two minute head start and rode TT style. The fast four wanted to catch me and it was not a fair fight. On John F.'s urging, they caught me 1/4 mile from the sag. Mike said I made them work too hard as he went by. Now I know what Champ felt like being chased by the Dalton Gang. Cheers to my XC09 mates!

H stands for

Headwinds. The ride to Dalhart is memorable to many of my readers for all the wrong reasons. In 2005 and 2009, we were faced with terrible headwinds, particularly the latter year. We had them again this year though they were somewhat tamer than in the other years. Several riders said this was the hardest day of tour.

DT and TD

Darrel Thomas and Tom Dunn
Yes, Darrell is officially a big dog. He moves right on down the road now having lost fifty pounds since I met him on his first CrossRoads tour in 2009. Although I also call him little dog because of his weight loss.

Teamwork

What I enjoy about bike touring is watching the bonds that form between the riders. Today five of the riders stuck with another rider to see that that he got to the hotel without problem. It was a 108 mile day. Temps at the departure for the dawn patrol were in the low 40s. It was almost 90 at arrival in Tucumcari. Our strong winds of the previous days were benign albeit a slight headwind. Nothing to worry about.

Windy days

We have had five very windy days of riding. As in steady winds of 25 mph with gusts much higher. It is not too bad unless you are in a crosswind. It spooks me as it does other riders. Mild winds are forecast for the ride to Tucumcari. H-winds are expected for Dalhart. Helping winds or head winds? Stay tuned.

It adds to the adventure

We came across construction on interstate 40. We waited while Tracy worked her magic. She convinced the construction bosses to let us walk through two work zones. In between the zones, we rode our bikes right down the middle of the highway.

Everybody does it

Takes a photo standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, that is. I took a photo of Carol's husband
Hank three years ago, so it has come full circle now.
Tracy predicted high winds coming into Holbrook and they materialized. Only eight riders escaped a flat tire today. One rider had four punctures. None for me as tire liners do their job. Since I started using them three years ago I have had just two flats while touring. Cross my fingers.

Lucky riders

The ride today was from Prescott to Cottonwood. We went over Mingus Mountain. While we were climbing, the driver in a a descending vehicle lost control and went off the road. Fortunately, he split the gap between two riders. The car rolled three times while going down a boulder-strewn embankment. The driver was unhurt. I had passed the two cyclists earlier on the ascent and did not know what happened until the hotel.

Up, up up

Three days ago, we were at 14 feet below sea level in Indio. Two days ago, we stayed in Blythe at only a couple of hundred above sea level. Today we are in Prescott and a mile above sea level. So you can see the riders had to put on their climbing legs. Tom M asked me why I looked so fresh at the top of the first climb. I told him that he had been on the bike for over 400 miles while I had only 100 miles under my belt. Not that the work aspect of the trip is easy on the staff as our work has extended as late as 9:00. When you start at 6am, it makes for a long day. But we love working for a great bunch of clients.

Hot hot hot

The low desert crossing is over. Thank goodness. The high temperature was 111 in Indio and Blythe. It was a "cooler" 102 high in Wickenburg today. They covered 304 miles in these temps and without any visits to the emergency room. Bring on the mountains and the high desert now.

XC 2012

Robin and I will be on the staff for CrossRoads Cycling's cross country bike ride.  We have been helping out on the organizational aspects for several weeks. It is amazing to see how much has to be done to get ready for a seven-week ride across America. The vehicles are just about ready to depart on Wednesday morning for the two-day drive to LA. We will have 21 riders this year who will ride the full distance. Another seven riders will join along for part of the distance.

There is a great sense of anticipation among the riders as they introduce themselves via e-mail. It will only build over the rest of the week. We too as staff are anxious to get started. We look forward to helping the riders accomplish their goals and dreams.