GDT Day 47 Armijo "Canyon" to Pie Town

Wed. Sept. 21, 2016
 Armijo Canyon to Toaster House in Pie Town
HAP

Start - ~7200'
High pt  ~7800'
Lo pt. ~7200'
End Elv ~7800'
Climbing ~1500'??

Miles ~30
Total time 4:00
Ride time
Day with BOB 45
One continental divide crossing

Got up early and had a no cook breakfast. Want to get to Pie Town and pick up my food care package before post office closed at noon.
While only a out 600' elevation change, lots of rolling hills to climb, some times in sand. The Sawtooth Mountains grew to the east as I whittled down the miles.
My tires held out and got me to town.  The post office was still open and as I started up the stairs, Ojo, a free spirit pulls up in a bumper sticker strewn little pickup. He asks if I am riding the divide and if I am going to stay at the Toaster House. Which I am, but I follow protocol and ask where it is. He will show me as he is kind of a caretaker of the place (though lives a few miles away), although the place really seems to be mostly self managed. I unload and head back to the main drag. Much to my surprise a cafe was open and I got to enjoy some Sweet! Blueberry! Pie! After a great 1/2 lb. burger.

Back at The Toaster House, I start working on my tires. The front has been bleeding Slime since yesterday and it is time to de-thorn the tire of ~8-10 embedded thorns and see to the tube. Alas after several patches (now up to 12 across all three tires), that Slime tube is kaput. I replace with a standard spare tube, after multiple redundant checks for thorns in the tire. I don't have much margin left for bike tires; one standard unsullied tube, 5 patches, one compromised and worn tire. If I get thorned again, I might be stuck.
It is ironic to think about being stuck on the route due to one of mother nature's hitchhikers. Two other bikers roll in about dinner time, Simone for Belgium and Thomas from Virginia. We hob nob a bit and exchange stories. They AR ebig milage tourers, having rode from Grants that day.

I have now finished the 5th map, and tomorrow I will start in on number 6, the last map. Pie Town to Antelope Wells, NM on the Mexican border. The guide book has this as 8 days of riding, but I will meet Glenda outside Silver city to split up a particular long and hilly day, and we will explore some of the Gila Mountains together.
Provided of course, that I can make there with my tires.......