Distance: 135 miles Climbing: 8100 feet
Average Speed: 16.5 mph
The best part of the day was the scenery. The worst part was my lame riding. First the scenery:
We rose up out of the valley in which Albuquerque sits, and you could see the climate and ecosystems change right before your eyes. After the brown, arid last few days, green began to make her appearance as we headed through a splendid valley surrounded by tree-covered mountains and roofed by an enormous blue sky. This was up the Turquoise Trail (Route 14) heading into Santa Fe. Even when we hit I-25 for the ride from Santa Fe to Las Vegas the scenery was impressive. I may have to come back to the Santa Fe area of New Mexico. It's truly gorgeous.
Now for the riding. I had a very off day. I struggled with the elevation. We were over 8000 feet and today was the first day that I felt the thin air. It started pretty much right off the bat with the climb out of Albuquerque. The second thing that conspired against me was the rest day yesterday. I know it seems kind of crazy, but the body gets into a rhythm. Even though I was mentally exhausted and wanted that rest day, my body rebelled at not getting what it had become used to. This morning when I hit reset, I think it said, "Quoi?" Between the elevation and coming off a rest day, I couldn't get the engine room to answer the bell all day. The last miles were a slog, and I was slow throughout. Hopefully, I get straightened out for tomorrow.
I understand you're roasting back east. Today was sunny with highs in the high 60s here. Tomorrow I cross the 1000 mile mark. I'll be seeing you soon. Good night.
I had no clue as to how intense your speeds are so at the gym last night, I checked my average speed on the bike....no hills or weather, and it was only 8 and sometimes got up to 9. Gosh.......i can't believe how fast ya'll go!!
ReplyDeleteThere is ice and ibuprofen at the end of the day. It's pretty motivating. Lovely to hear from you, Nina. I hope all is well with you.
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