Sun; June 11; Day 15; 43miles; 80s

What a day! Started pushing bikes up mountain @ 7:00.  Low on water, but at mile two an elk prospect/hunter gave us a gallon of ice water- Trail Angel.  At noon we had gone 15 miles.  But then we entered some downhill.  Very rocky; sandy; and full of ruts.  A significant challenge just to go downhill.  Indeed, both Anna and I had wrecks.  Anna hit some sand that threw her off, but with a 2 foot landing while her bike did a 360 in the air.  Big Smile.  Our final 90 minutes of riding on the day took us on a 15 mile down hill into the tiny 18 th century Spanish settlement of Abiquiu, home to 20th century artist Georgia O Keefe.  We are tenting at a delightful B&B along the Chama river.  The Chama flows into the Rio Grande. Proof positive that NM has a river.  

Sat June 10 Day 14; 40 miles

We left Cuba at 6:30.  The first 10 miles was uphill on asphalt.  We left early to get the cool temps. It worked well.  At 10 miles the road changed to gravel.  The rest of the day was up and down elevation between 8-nine thousand feet.  It was tough, but we took our time.  Having to walk the bikes often. We are in pine forests now- beautiful and cooler than desert of the past two weeks. Water is a problem still.  There are few streams in NM. Hoping to reach Abiquiu tomorrow, another 40 mile pedal at elevation.

Fri. June Nine Day 13 48 miles; 80s

We left our chain-link compound @ 7:30 this morning headed for Cuba.  A beautiful, light tail wind morning.  The highway was rolling with light traffic until 20 miles outside Cuba where traffic doubled, rockets in each direction.  We rolled into Cuba @ 1:00-good time for us.  We are staying in a Mom & Pop motel.  Feels amazing to shower off two days of salt and road grime, and to relax during the heat of the day. A CDT thru-hiker is staying here too.  Old guy who has done the PCT which he admitted was a piece of cake compared to his experience so far on the CDT.  He must carry 6 liters of water. We will leave early to tackle "perhaps" the toughest climbing section yet. Take care.

This. June 8; Day 12; 67 miles; Mid 80s; wind

Got out of Grants @ 6:30.  Anna's tire repair seems to be holding.  A pipeline contractor checking in when we go to the motel gave Anna a special pipeline adhesive that bods anything.  It's called the greenie weenie. Should be good.  We went through some desolate country today; challenged an oblique wind; and nearly perished from thirst.  Got water at a Navaho Community store and laundromat in no-where's-ville that everyone comes to.  The proprietor has allowed us to camp within the gated confines.  We can't get out until 7:00 tomorrow morning when he unlocks.  We need to tame his guard dogs for best sleeping. Stay tuned. 

Weds. June 7; Day 11; 45 miles; Mid 80s; light wind.

We got a great start this morning, leaving at 6:15.  A beautiful ride on smooth asphalt.  We followed route 117 through El Malpais National Monument. Beautiful cliff formations; ancient lava flow rock formations as well.  We ended in Grants, a city of boom and bust.  They have been the uranium capital of the world as well as the carrot capital of the world.  The famous Route 66 goes through town. Sadly all the old motels are shuttered. We arrived in town at noon; stopped to resupply at the Walmart, then went to an RV park to wash clothes and take a shower.  We tried to leave town in the cool of the evening, but Anna blew a tire heading out of town.  Fortunately, we only had a half mile to a Mom & Pop motel where we made repairs (avoided some rain storms

Tuesday June 6; Day 10; 28 mile

We had a relaxing day in Pie Town. Mailed some maps home. Ate breakfast and dinner at the Pie Town cafe (great burritos with green Chilean), and left town for a 28 mile evening ride in cool temperatures. Saw Antelope and huge elk. Gravel roads were tough. The sand stopped us at one spot. Set up camp in a rain squall, wind blowing and totally exposed on the open range. Went to sleep with a few dozen red ants for company. 

Monday June 5, Zero in Pie Town; Day nine