The First Week (10-16 Sep 06)

We finished our first week of our trip with a total of 844 miles and 38,381 feet of climbing after a long, 157 mile trek from Springerville, AZ to Socorro, NM. Many of us used today to recover from a long week and specifically, from yesterday’s brutal ride into the wind. It was interesting that the mood of the group today seemed to be more subdued and it seemed that many of us rode alone at our own comfortable, recovery paces. It’s strange to have a new mindset that a 157 mile ride served as a recovery ride! The weather was beautiful as we climbed into the New Mexico mountains and crossed over the continental divide (photos attached below) at almost 8,000 feet. Lunch was served at the top with hamburgers cooked on site and our usual, full assortment of snacks and drinks. The day was made particularly trying after yesterday’s brutal ride by the fact that we lost an hour overnight so our wakeup calls started at 4:00am!

When I arrive in Ruidoso, NM on Monday the local radio disk jocky of station KUBY has organized a community wide fundraising activity for the American Breast Cancer Foudation with local women and men sharing their stories living with breast cancer. Discussion will also cover the values of early detection and mamogram programs. We want to express a special thanks to this local radio station and the people of this community.

Dona/Mom