We figured out for ourselves, and everyone we asked agreed, that there was no way we could ride from Carlsbad, NM to El Paso TX. The trip would require us to make a 135 mile ride in one day. Signs on the road warned there were no services for 130 miles. Not doing it. We ended up renting a U-Haul truck, and sagging ourselves to El Paso
The road to El Paso.
Salt flats?
Coming into El Paso in the U-Haul.
Entrance to Hotel El Paso, where we would spend three nights. Nice.
We did walk across the bridge to Juarez, Mexico. Mostly just to say that we did it. We were disappointed that the Mexican border agents didn't stamp our passports.
Coming back home.
Today we left El Paso, and rode to Las Cruces, NM. We crossed the TX/NM border several times today, kind of a Tex/Mex day. We also crossed the Rio Grande River four times.
Today's route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/21562622
The weather forecast for today promised temperatures rising into the mid 90's with a west wind building to 17 mph. We decided to get on the road early, and were rewarded by no headwind for the first 20 miles. Loved it; averaged 12.5 mph. After 20 miles, however, the forecast proved accurate, and our day became more difficult.
Leaving town this morning on US-85. The Mexican border is the fence to the left. Also, you will notice the road construction, a sure sign we are in Texas.
Our first crossing of the Rio Grande.
Miles 14 to 22 were on a bike path paralleling the Rio Grande. Very nice riding.
Rio Grande in the foreground; the Franklin Mountains in the back round.
In 2010 we did a ride called GITAP, the Greater Illinois Trails and Parks ride, which was one of the worst rides we have ever done. A bright spot was that we met Kay and Paul, bike tourists extraordinaire from Albuquerque, NM. We have kept in touch over the years, emailing and following each other's blogs. We were fortunately able to meet up with them, and their friend, Lee, on a very nice P-38 recumbent, for part of today's ride as well as part of tomorrows.
Lots of pecan groves lined the roads for the last 15 miles of our ride. They also served to protect us from the wind. The pecan tree has deep roots, and requires deep irrigation. The method used is to flood the field a couple times a year, and let the water soak in. Seemed a bit odd to me. We are still in the Chihuahuan desert after all.
Beginning to flood a field. It will end up flooded 6-8 inches deep.
Following Kay and Paul on their RANS crank forward tandem.
Us in front of a partially flooded field.
Neat church we passed later in the day.
Crossing the Rio Grande for the last time today.
Pictures of Lee and his P-38 will have to wait for tomorrow. The ones we took today did not turn out.
Tomorrow we ride 61 miles to Deming, partially on I-10, and with a 12 mph tail wind promised. I do hope that promise is kept.
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