Day 6: Winslow, Arizona to Gallup, New Mexico

First, the numbers. Today was all about the numbers.

Distance: 135 miles
Climbing: 3300 feet
Saddle time: 6 hours 10 minutes
Average speed for the non-mathematically inclined: 21.8 mph

See that average speed? Not too shabby, huh. It certainly set things to right with Sexybike. Think about it--21.8 mph over 135 miles. Hmmm.

Okay, there's a catch. We galloped into Gallup in the jaws of a 30 mph tailwind. Hannah, that pun's for you. It followed us the entire way. We were barreling down the shoulder of I-40 in echelon for about 100 miles. I have sand and dust in every crevice and gear of Sexybike and myself.

All that said, it was still a hard ride for me. Pace can hurt in some sneaky ways, and it was just long. I also didn't ride it terribly smart. I worked the middle bit too hard, sat on the front too much, that kind of thing. I'm hoping tomorrow isn't too hard, but I suspect crossing the Continental Divide on another 135 mile day will not be a piece of cake.

After tomorrow we have a rest day in Albuquerque. Lord, I will be ready. I will be visiting a bike shop for sure. I have punctured at least once every day but one this week. Little wires from the radial tires that trucks shred along the interstate are everywhere. I need some tougher tires and some other stuff. I will also be treating myself to the first beer of this trip.

I'm sorry I've got no pictures or video, but it was not a terribly photogenic day--all moonscape and poverty. Really, it was all just about going fast.

I'm going to go now. We lost an hour crossing into the Mountain time zone, and I'll need that hour of sleep for tomorrow.