Day 16 - Sunday, December 7

Description: Finished the ride in Sanderson TX after only 83 miles.

After sleeping in until 6:15 at the Alpine Best Western, I got up and had a big breakfast of sausage gravy biscuits, eggs, bacon, sausage patties, yogurt, a danish, OJ, and coffee. I then packed up and began riding at 8:15 heading straight east on RT 90 for a mostly down hill day. It was a warm morning and I did not need a jacket or shoe warmers. Well, the wind was wipping again and I fought a challenging side-wind for the first 30 miles to Marathon. At Marathon, I took a coffee and breakfast burrito break at a small little cafe in an RV park. It was awesome (see earlier picture posted) and the coffee was great. Then I shoved off for the final 53 miles hoping for better wind. To my surprise and delight, I was able to catch a slice of tailwind for the next 30 miles and made great time. I only stopped for a quick Payday to recharge the system. Then I rode around a mountain and the wind turned into my face for the final 22 miles. The last 10 were brutal. At one point, I was going down a 2 % grade and could only maintain an 8 mph pace. I finally made it to Sanderson which sits in a canyon that was guarded by the winds. Sanderson claims to be the Cactus Capital of Texas but I did not see many. It is a small town with a few little motels, gas station, and 2 or 3 food joints - no Starbucks here! Big pick-up trucks and hunters were everywhere. I was lucky to get a room at the Desert Oasis motel due to hunting season. I actually saw several nice deer during my ride today through some awesome countryside. I checked in, showered and headed out for some dinner. A guy at the gas station across the street highly recommended the Dairy King and Mexican restaurant. It was kinda like a run down Dairy Queen but their Mexican food was awesome. I had their Mexican Plate which included 3 enchaladas, a taco, beans, rice, and salad. The enchaladas reminded me of my Aunt Rose's famous enchaladas feasts that our whole family used to have up in NJ. I topped off dinner with some vanilla ice cream and called it a day.
Tomorrow could be a big challenge depending on the wind. I would like to go for Del Rio which will be close to 110 miles. If the wind is bad, I can back off and camp at 58 or 86 miles. As of tonight, the wind is straight in my face - yuk! We will see....

Good night.

Weather: Absolutely perfect riding except for the wind. Highs were in the 60s and the sky was Carolina blue.

Performance Metrics:

Miles: 83 Trip: 1,221
Total travel time: 7:30 Trip: 122:10
Bike Riding time: 6:08 Trip: 97:08
Avg speed: 13.55 Trip: 12.80
Max speed: 26.19 Trip: 41.87
Total ascent (ft): 848 Trip: 32,972
Avg pedal RPMs: 90 Trip: 87
Avg heart rate: 112 Trip: 116
Max heart rate: 133 Trip: 195
Calories burned: 4,484 Trip: 71,542

Weather Statistics:

High temp 66 Trip: 75
Low temp: 58 Trip: 28
Hours of rain: 0 Trip: 8
Hours of snow: 0 Trip: 0
Total days of rain/snow: 1
Wind factor: Against mostly
Total good wind days: 6
Total bad wind days: 10

Misc. Stats:

Flat tires: 0 Trip: 8
Mechanical failures: 0
Hotel or camping today: hotel - Desert Oasis motel
Total hotel nights: 15
Total camping nights: 1
Cups of coffee: 5 Trip: 50
Pints: 1 Trip: 26

Mood rating (1-10): 9.25 - only the wind slightly dampened my spirits. Tomorrow will be better - right?

This is a Mustang GT bike. I offered to trade but he said my bike too small.

At least they slow down around here for the dangerous turns in Texas.

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:30.1445
Longitude:-102.4051
Nearest Location: Sanderson, United States
Distance: 1 km(s)
Time:12/07/2008 14:11:22 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=30.1445,-102.4051&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Marion and Phoebe fed me well here in Marathon.

Breakfast burrito from The Courtyard Cafe in Marathon.

Fixed The Surly bike last night.