Description: Finished up in Van Horn Tx at around 5:30 - Central time. This was my first 100 mile ride of the trek and I am now over 1,000 miles done!!!
My little motel in Fabens did not provide breakfast so I was on my own. I snagged 2 oatmeal packs from yesterday's hotel plus bought some Pop Tarts last night after my Mexican feast. They did have an in-room coffee pot so caffeine was under control but calories were at risk. I scarfed everything I had down and was ready to roll out around 7:15. It was very cold and crap, the wind was still stiff in my face. I struggled at about 11 MPH for about 28 miles to Fort Hancock and took a break. Only problem was that I had to ride almost 2 miles up a hill (off course) to the I-10 exit to find a gas station and food. I ate a big sandwich and had a large coffee. It thawed me out. I also bought PayDay Pro and Snickers Marathon Energy bars for the road ahead. I had not seen either of these before and knew Ron Clanton would be jealous of the "Pro" version of his favorite ride energy food - mini-PayDays. Between the 2 bars, they packed 25 grams of protein - now that's a lot. Off I went into the wind and was already thinking of shortening my ride based on the fatigue after just 28 miles. I pressed on knowing Jim P would comment if I did not do at least 80 miles. I rode through McNary and Esperanza which were right on the Mexican border. Several Border Patrol officers stopped and talked to me as they were looking for someone about my size except they said my farmer's tan was darker than the guy they wanted so they let me go. So far, all I saw was the beautiful Mexican mountains and one cotton farm after another. From there, I ate my PayDay Pro in anticipation of having to climb another mountain pass (see earlier post with picture). I rolled onto I-10 which was really nice with wide shoulders and a smooth surface. I was at the 50 mile mark of my ride. Once on the interstate, I climbed up a long slow grade through the mountain pass for about 15 miles which was not all that bad. Once through the pass, there was a Border Patrol checkpoint which I rolled through without an incident. I stopped to wolf down the Snickers Marathon bar and a GU Energy Gel to fuel me for the last 30 miles. The speed limit is actually 80 MPH on I-10 and I was catching a good draft from the trucks as they flew past me at 85 MPH. Don't worry Mom, there was at least 8-10 ft between them and me. I put the dented Mean Green Machine in a big gear and rode hard for the last 30 miles that were mostly downhill into Van Horn. After a long hot shower at the Super-8, I biked down the road to a local steak house where I destroyed their salad bar and had a nice steak, baked potato, and a couple of drafts to prep me for tomorrow.
Tomorrow will likely be just as difficult (if not more) as I will attack the final mountain pass (over 6,000 ft) of the trek. In addition, the ride will be over 90 miles. The forecast is for more stiff Westerly winds at 15-25 MPH - yuk yuk yuk.
Good night.
Weather: Overcast, cold, and windy early. After lunch, the sun came out and the winds backed down some. I wore my jacket for half the day.
Performance Metrics:
Miles: 100 Trip: 1,021 - my first Century
Total travel time: 9:15 Trip: 104:50
Bike Riding time: 7:25 Trip: 81:56
Avg speed: 13.43 Trip: 12.74
Max speed: 28.03 Trip: 41.87
Total ascent (ft): 1,355 Trip: 29,786
Avg pedal RPMs: 91 Trip: 86
Avg heart rate: 122 Trip: 118
Max heart rate: 142 Trip: 195
Calories burned: 5,591 Trip: 60,335
Weather Statistics:
High temp 58 Trip: 75
Low temp: 42 Trip: 28
Hours of rain: 0 Trip: 8
Hours of snow: 0 Trip: 0
Total days of rain/snow: 1
Wind factor: Major against
Total good wind days: 5
Total bad wind days: 9
Misc. Stats:
Flat tires: 0 Trip: 8
Mechanical failures: 0
Hotel or camping today: hotel - Super-8
Total hotel nights: 13
Total camping nights: 1
Cups of coffee: 3 Trip: 42
Pints: 2 Trip: 24
Mood rating (1-10): 9 - tough day in the beginning but after the "Pro PayDay" it all got better. One more mountain climb left which is tomorrow. .
Friday, December 5, 2008
OK ESN:0-7458562
This is Steve and I am checking in to let everyone know that I have finished my ride for the day safe and sound.
ESN:0-7458562
Latitude:31.035
Longitude:-104.8548
Nearest Location: Van Horn, United States
Distance: 2 km(s)
Time:12/05/2008 14:58:39 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=31.035,-104.8548&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
ESN:0-7458562
Latitude:31.035
Longitude:-104.8548
Nearest Location: Van Horn, United States
Distance: 2 km(s)
Time:12/05/2008 14:58:39 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=31.035,-104.8548&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Day 13 - Thursday, December 4
Description: Finished up in Fabens TX at around 4:30.
Today's ride was a tough 78 miles but I was able to say farewell to New Mexico and hello to Texas. I woke up at 6:45 and hit the Comfort Inn buffet breakfast hard with a large plate of eggs, sausages, biscuits, yogurt, OJ, and coffee. Then I went back to my room to pack up before rolling out the front door at 8:00. I was surprised at how cold it was so I leaned my bike against a large 12x12 post to pull out a jacket and my leg warmers. Then "it happened". The bike rolled forward and slammed down on the corner of the post putting 2 big dents on my top tube. It must have bounced for the second dent - crap!!! I was lucky that it did not do more damage and end my trip. I had it checked at a bike shop in El Paso and they felt it would be safe to continue riding. After collecting myself, I shoved off with the Mean Green Machine having added character and war scars. Immediately, I was faced with a strong wind directly in my face and it stayed this way all day long which is like dragging a big anchor around. I strained through the small towns of La Mesilla, San Miquel, and La Mesa before stopping at Chamberino for more fuel. I consumed a Snickers bar and a Odwalla Chocolate Chip Peanut bar before taking on the wind again. I struggled to maintain 10 MPH as my legs were tired and there was no resting. On top of that, I forgot to take my EPO supplements last night so my energy levels were low:-) I rode for miles through endless pecan orchards with a few vineyards and a cotton farm or two. Just outside of Canutillo (middle of nowhere), there was a huge and flat field of beautiful grass that the Master's would be proud of. I stopped to take a closer look and found out it was a polo field in the middle of pecan trees - go figure. From there, I slowly cranked my way into El Paso TX for lunch. Yep, both Tim T. and my Bro both caught me on radar at a Wendy's loading up. It was a fat, calorie, protein, and caffeine injection directly into my arteries and muscles. I enjoyed a double-stack burger, chili, backed potato with cheese/onions and extra sour cream, and a large coffee. This brought new life into my legs as well as "The Clear" did to enhance Barry Bonds performance. After lunch, I still had another 40 miles to pedal. I rolled through the middle of El Paso (which was nothing special) and then headed East paralleling I-10 and just inches from the Mexican border! The wind was better in the city but hit me again as I exited downtown. I did not need a map today. All I needed to do was ride straight into the wind and knew I was heading the right direction. Then I put the hammer down and picked up the pace so that I would not run out of daylight. My Mom said not to do that again and I usually listen to her. Eventually, I reached my final destination of Fabens. I asked 5 people where the hotels were and none of them spoke English. Then I met a woman who said the only hotel around was up next to I-10 on top of the hill. I asked her how big the hill was as I was totally spent. She said as big as the hills in San Francisco while laughing. She was not far off as it was a tough 2 mile climb. I got lucky as there were just a few rooms left - wheeeew. After a long shower, I had an awesome Mexican supper at a small cafe next to my small motel.
Today took as much energy as any day before due to the relentless wind. Tomorrow will be a long ride up to Van Horn TX and will include a thousand ft climb - ahh, nothing. I hope the wind is better.
Weather: the weather was great for biking although the brilliant blue skies of the mountains were gone. Partly cloudy all day with a cold start and warming up around 11.
Performance Metrics:
Miles: 78 Trip: 922
Total travel time: 8:30 Trip: 95:35
Bike Riding time: 6:30 Trip: 74:30
Avg speed: 12.00 Trip: 12.67
Max speed: 25.19 Trip: 41.87
Total ascent (ft): 937 Trip: 28,431
Avg pedal RPMs: 89 Trip: 86
Avg heart rate: 111 Trip: 118
Max heart rate: 177 Trip: 195
Calories burned: 4,177 Trip: 54,744
Weather Statistics:
High temp 69 Trip: 75
Low temp: 55 Trip: 28
Hours of rain: 0 Trip: 8
Hours of snow: 0 Trip: 0
Total days of rain/snow: 1
Wind factor: major against
Total good wind days: 5
Total bad wind days: 8
Misc. Stats:
Flat tires: 0 Trip: 8
Mechanical failures: 0
Hotel or camping today: hotel - Fabens Inn
Total hotel nights: 12
Total camping nights: 1
Cups of coffee: 3 Trip: 40
Pints: 2 Trip: 22
Mood rating (1-10): 8.25 - today was another test just like flat day and I made it just fine.
Today's ride was a tough 78 miles but I was able to say farewell to New Mexico and hello to Texas. I woke up at 6:45 and hit the Comfort Inn buffet breakfast hard with a large plate of eggs, sausages, biscuits, yogurt, OJ, and coffee. Then I went back to my room to pack up before rolling out the front door at 8:00. I was surprised at how cold it was so I leaned my bike against a large 12x12 post to pull out a jacket and my leg warmers. Then "it happened". The bike rolled forward and slammed down on the corner of the post putting 2 big dents on my top tube. It must have bounced for the second dent - crap!!! I was lucky that it did not do more damage and end my trip. I had it checked at a bike shop in El Paso and they felt it would be safe to continue riding. After collecting myself, I shoved off with the Mean Green Machine having added character and war scars. Immediately, I was faced with a strong wind directly in my face and it stayed this way all day long which is like dragging a big anchor around. I strained through the small towns of La Mesilla, San Miquel, and La Mesa before stopping at Chamberino for more fuel. I consumed a Snickers bar and a Odwalla Chocolate Chip Peanut bar before taking on the wind again. I struggled to maintain 10 MPH as my legs were tired and there was no resting. On top of that, I forgot to take my EPO supplements last night so my energy levels were low:-) I rode for miles through endless pecan orchards with a few vineyards and a cotton farm or two. Just outside of Canutillo (middle of nowhere), there was a huge and flat field of beautiful grass that the Master's would be proud of. I stopped to take a closer look and found out it was a polo field in the middle of pecan trees - go figure. From there, I slowly cranked my way into El Paso TX for lunch. Yep, both Tim T. and my Bro both caught me on radar at a Wendy's loading up. It was a fat, calorie, protein, and caffeine injection directly into my arteries and muscles. I enjoyed a double-stack burger, chili, backed potato with cheese/onions and extra sour cream, and a large coffee. This brought new life into my legs as well as "The Clear" did to enhance Barry Bonds performance. After lunch, I still had another 40 miles to pedal. I rolled through the middle of El Paso (which was nothing special) and then headed East paralleling I-10 and just inches from the Mexican border! The wind was better in the city but hit me again as I exited downtown. I did not need a map today. All I needed to do was ride straight into the wind and knew I was heading the right direction. Then I put the hammer down and picked up the pace so that I would not run out of daylight. My Mom said not to do that again and I usually listen to her. Eventually, I reached my final destination of Fabens. I asked 5 people where the hotels were and none of them spoke English. Then I met a woman who said the only hotel around was up next to I-10 on top of the hill. I asked her how big the hill was as I was totally spent. She said as big as the hills in San Francisco while laughing. She was not far off as it was a tough 2 mile climb. I got lucky as there were just a few rooms left - wheeeew. After a long shower, I had an awesome Mexican supper at a small cafe next to my small motel.
Today took as much energy as any day before due to the relentless wind. Tomorrow will be a long ride up to Van Horn TX and will include a thousand ft climb - ahh, nothing. I hope the wind is better.
Weather: the weather was great for biking although the brilliant blue skies of the mountains were gone. Partly cloudy all day with a cold start and warming up around 11.
Performance Metrics:
Miles: 78 Trip: 922
Total travel time: 8:30 Trip: 95:35
Bike Riding time: 6:30 Trip: 74:30
Avg speed: 12.00 Trip: 12.67
Max speed: 25.19 Trip: 41.87
Total ascent (ft): 937 Trip: 28,431
Avg pedal RPMs: 89 Trip: 86
Avg heart rate: 111 Trip: 118
Max heart rate: 177 Trip: 195
Calories burned: 4,177 Trip: 54,744
Weather Statistics:
High temp 69 Trip: 75
Low temp: 55 Trip: 28
Hours of rain: 0 Trip: 8
Hours of snow: 0 Trip: 0
Total days of rain/snow: 1
Wind factor: major against
Total good wind days: 5
Total bad wind days: 8
Misc. Stats:
Flat tires: 0 Trip: 8
Mechanical failures: 0
Hotel or camping today: hotel - Fabens Inn
Total hotel nights: 12
Total camping nights: 1
Cups of coffee: 3 Trip: 40
Pints: 2 Trip: 22
Mood rating (1-10): 8.25 - today was another test just like flat day and I made it just fine.
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