Day 17: Las Vegas to Tucumcari, NM

https://give.michaeljfox.org/barbarasbigride

https://ridewithgps.com/trips/122013610

Today's Ride

The Stats

110 miles (if you include the extra .19 mile to the gas station across the street with a liquor license!)

3,832 ft. climbing, with over 6,000 ft. of descents

Milestones: Second longest ride of the tour done! 

Miles Completed: 1,119

Miles to Go: 2,277  

States Visited: 3 of 15

Feet Climbed: 47,201

The Ride

Despite the long mileage and too many hours in the saddle, it was a spectacular ride (at least until the last 20 miles or so!). The weather, the sunlight, the quiet road, and the changing landscape had me literally cry aloud in joy with each new vista (and the thought of another sweeping downhill)! I also heard my first "sounds of silence" -- syncopated only by some songbirds and the crinkling of my protein bar wrappers!

We rode on State Road 104 virtually the whole day. The road runs for more than 100 miles with hardly a gas station, home, or any development to speak of in sight. The golden fields were silhouetted with the dark outlines of horses and cows, with little else interrupting the horizon. We all appreciated the peace and quiet of the road, lack of traffic, and sweeping views. I've been to some remote places (Alaska, Atacama Desert), but nothing that looked or felt quite like this. It was dream riding and the early miles just ticked off quickly, even with the initial climb out Las Vegas.

We were wondering at the first SAG why every truck that passed smelled from tar. The road construction ahead soon provided the answer.

Also got some great "abandoned gas station" lean photos at the first SAG!

Part of what made the ride so extraordinary is how dramatically the landscape changed. Apparently, we were traveling along the Canadian Escarpment, part of the subrange of the Rockies -- which meant we had some climbs to tackle and earn the rest of our downhills! 

There was hardly any sign of life for miles (but for the many and colorful birds, horses, cattle, and at least one snake, which was either sleeping or dead, and some gecko-like creatures -- perhaps they could have saved me 15% or more on car insurance!), though I did come across at least one post office!

I'd be lying if I said the ride's enjoyment didn't have diminishing returns somewhere after the 70, 80, or definitely 90 mile mark -- but by that point, the distance to go was finite enough to just get it done. Which I did! (And I even had just enough steam left to grab a beer at the gas station store across the road before settling into the hotel around 4:30.)

Not much going on in Tucumcari. Once again we were on Historic Route 66 through the town. Once again, there were dilapidated, and mostly abandoned hotels, closed restaurants, and generally a depressed and depressing feel. Without any real dining options, dinner was catered in the hotel for us. By 6, we were done, seeking ice cream for dessert at the adjacent gas station. 

I'm sure I haven't fully captured today, but it was a long day, and I'm beat. Tomorrow's another long 90+ mile day, with predicted headwinds and another time zone change, so wish me luck in getting done before dinner!

The Soundtracks

Our "early" (aka slower!) group have become the "Route Rap Rappers" and belted out Katy Perry's "That's What You Get for Waking up in Vegas" -- no matter that the song was about the "other" Vegas! I personally liked this Las Vegas better and it set an energetic tone for today's long ride. Not sure what's in store for tomorrow, but I have some ideas for our one day in Texas!

The endless expanses along Rte 104 also required at least one out loud rendition of the Chicks' "Wide Open Spaces." I feel like the song was written with just this land in mind. 

Employee of the Day

Today's shoutout goes to Sarah, who owns the Prairie Hill Cafe at the Historic Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas with her husband. She's a native of the area, though she moved "away" to Albuquerque for a while and recently returned. She and her team got up at the crack of dawn on what would have been their day off to prepare a fabulous, "home-cooked" breakfast, complete with fresh (not powdered!) eggs, and some of the most delicious croissants I've ever tasted. Many others also enjoyed dinner at the restaurant the night before. She made sure we were "carb-loaded" and fueled for the long day's ride. She was also so gracious and interested in our ride, snapping photos of us as if we were one of the celebrities whose pics are posted on the rooms where they stayed. So thank you, Sarah, for your food, hospitality, and cheerful disposition!