Tag Archives: Albuquerque
Main

Thursday 11th July

By on Friday, July 12, 2019

Pushed some miles out today after our easy couple of days.

We left before 1st light, neither of us slept very well last night so it felt good to get some fresh air.

We were treated to some stunning scenery and even though the day started with a long climb it was a fairly easy ride. As were finding out a lot there’s long sections of not a lot in between.

After 55 miles of winding through the countryside we arrived to where our map had a campsite marked to find a car park beside a casino. This is where we are supposed to be sleeping. No tent space, no showers and no toilet great.

We talked to a couple of security guards at the casino. They were great guys and said we could use the casinos toilet and restaurant if we decided to stay. Call me spoiled but I looked around and didn’t feel comfortable or safe staying there after the casino closed and security went home.

Seth and Chris said they didn’t blame me and pointed us in the direction of the nearest hotel 6 miles on. Decision made what’s 6 more miles. The hotel is more expensive than we should be paying but at lest it’s clean and comfortable and safe. 6 less miles to do tomorrow so we even get a lay in.

Continue Reading
0
Main

Wednesday 10th July

By on Thursday, July 11, 2019

After our unplanned part day off yesterday, we decided to have a easy day today. Albuquerque is a big city the biggest in New Mexico. Today we would just cycle from the campsite one end to a RV site the other side. 13 miles mostly down hill apart from a small incline right at the end.

We emailed the RV site in advance to make sure that they have showers and space for a tent. We’ve had problems before, darn they replied that they had problems with gofers so we couldn’t stay no other explanation. Oh well cheap motel and hope that it is clean.

Late start even though the sun rudely woke me ridiculously early, hard to shut curtains on a white tent. We didn’t have to be out of our campsite until noon.

Leaving our tent up and bikes safety in the campsite we wondered around the area on the hunt for breakfast and settled on the Waffle House that we had breakfast in yesterday.

Back to site and pack, we start to cycle at just gone 11am and gosh it’s hot. So glad we’re not going far.

Stopping to look around antique shops and the old town, chatting to people interested in our journey we check in to the motel at 3 pm. It’s cheaper than last nights campsite and bonus it’s clean. If I’m being fussy it’s run down and stinks of cigarettes but beggars can’t be choosers it will do.

Continue Reading
0
Main

Tuesday 9th July

By on Wednesday, July 10, 2019

After yesterday and thinking we didn’t want to pedal any more. We slept on it and decided that we are made of tougher stuff. Anyway one bad day doesn’t out way all the good. We knew it would not be easy.

So up at 4:30 am. Packed away and on the road for first light. We had 7 miles to do to the nearest supply’s for what would be another 50 miles to do after that with no shops or gas station in between.

7 miles climbing, climbing, climbing, not steep just slow going and yes we had that wind against us. We make it to the gas station only to find that it had very little supplies. We could be in trouble here. A breakfast bar and a drink of water for now. What about the rest of the day! We look around for inspiration there must be something to keep us going for 50 miles of a tough route.

We pay for our breakfast bar and water and go outside to mull over our options. A pickup truck pulled in for gas and we had one of those fuck it moments. Mike asked if he was going to Albuquerque by any chance. This is a town 100 miles from where we were but it is a big city and it was straight down the interstate. Yes he was and we could have a lift if we were quick and didn’t mind sitting in the back.

No time to think about it he was going, we looked at each other, Mike asked if it was legal, he shrugged and said don’t get caught. Just lay down and keep your head down.

We didn’t have time to load the bikes probably just frown them on either side of us, we lay in the middle of them in the pick up bed. And off he drove, he didn’t bother to ask our names and we don’t know he’s but 50 minutes later he stopped told us we were here dumped us and our still loaded bikes on the side of the road and drove off.

So here we are in Albuquerque stunned that we did that, it all happened to quick to think about it. Laying in the bed of a pickup truck of a stranger in a foreign country. Traveling on a interstate 100 miles a hour. Mmm not sure on that. But we are safe and as it was in a direct line we have saved ourselves at least 5 days because our cycle route would of took us further north and over 200 miles more.

It’s early we have all day. Can’t check into a motel until 3 so we do a online search for a campsite with a pool and call it a rest day. As luck has it he unwittingly dropped us off less than a mile from a KOA.

On the way we go to a Waffle House for breakfast. That nutra grain bar really wasn’t enough. Check in to the campsite at 10 am and spent the morning swimming/ relaxing and doing washing. In the afternoon we went to the cinema to see the new spider man film and had dinner at Taco Bell. We really can’t complain about today.

Continue Reading
0