Thurs. Sept. 22, 2016
Toaster House in Pie Town to La Jolla Canyon
Start - ~7800'
High pt 8200'
Lo pt. ~6900'
End Elv ~7000'
Climbing ~1700'??
Miles ~60.9
Total time 9:45
Ride time
Day with BOB 46
Three continental divide crossings
Owls a hooting
Elks a bulging
Springs a silent
Tires a popping
And the kindness of strangers
Started off saying goodbye to Simone, Thomas, and Benjiman as they headed out to the cafe for beakfast as it opened. Thomas and Simone are trying to finish the route in 3 days and have a 100 mile day planned. Not for me. Shooting for Valle Tia Vinces campground as per the guide at about 30 miles. Head out and it is sunny and I hit 2 divide crossings quickly in the rollling pinon juniper lands. I stop for a break and look up at the fully laden pinon tree right next to me. I have a short day PLANNED so I take 30 minutes or so and collect pinon nuts, improving havesting methods as I go.
Stop and replenish water at a stock well where a trail angel leaves the pump switch available for bikers and CDT hikers.
I climb up a mellow pass, and get my 3rd divide crossing for the day and quickly reach the targeted CG. It is only 1:45, weather is fine, and I decide to continue after checking map, and elevation profile. My next target after heading down the pass is to head across the plains of San Augustin before slightly climbing back into the national forest, and some primitive camp sites, for an extra 30 miles. The riding should be straight forward, and I think I can shorten the ride 2 days from now that is a long day with several of the big twisty hilly Gila climbs in the 2nd 25 miles of that day. I would rather tackle those fresh in the day, not at the end.
I have a decent cadence going as I crank across the plains. These plains are home to the Very Large Array radio telescope, location chosen in part due to its being relatively quiet of electro magnetic emmisions in the radio frequencies. I believe it is the largest in the world. I am about 17 miles of the 30 when I hear a pop and sizzling sound as my front tire has an immediate decompression event, aka a blow out.
Bummer, as the tire and tube are both cut. Not sure what caused it, but the tire has over 2000 miles on it. The tube is toast, and while the tire could possibly be booted, I am wary about putting my last tube into the booted tire. I need to use my last tube, and resurrect my more worn and thorned emergency tire. Several passing vehicled stop and ask if every thing is ok; I say yes as I work to replace tube and tire, while thinking these better work, and oh boy, I have almost no reserves in the tire dept after this blowout. A forest service workcrew pass by, and then back up, asking if I need any help, water. I get a couple of bottles of gatorade as there are few water sources for the next 55 miles. A skeptical couple with a load of firewood queries me for a while, offering assistance.
I ready to start cranking again on the remaining 13 miles. I have burned precious sunlight on this sunny day, and am now also concerned about running out of day light. As I approach the national forest maybe 11 or 12 miles in, the sun is getting low and red. The tires are holding and I am eagerly looking for a camping spot. The recommended site I have been targeting since the pass is already occupied by some hunters. It is beautiful country, grassy with widely spread ponderosa and low canyon walls. But it is not much used in this unpopulated part of the state, and I cannot find another pre-existing spot. I end up camping under a majestic ponderosa across the road from the hunters, who roll in at 10:30, or 11 pm.
I am however concerned that I may be stuck due to the tire and tube situarion, or that I am one incident away from being stuck. I use the InReach emergency satellite communicstor to send text msg to Glenda to arrange for an "emergency" supply drop. This has her meeting me 2 days earlier than planned. She already has the needed tires, tubes, and patch kits.
The question is, meet me here, or 40 miles from here after another day of riding. The tires will tell me in the morning.
I have seen elk while searching for a campsite and the bulls are bulging from many quarters as dusk settles into evening. The owls start their nightly reverie all around me as I set up camp and cook dinner. As I lay down to rest, a boisterous bull elk is harping his heart out what seems only 20 or 30 yards from me. The Owls and the Elk are my nighttime lullaby, soothing away my concerns as I drift off into the morrow.
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