March 6, 2017. Duncan Arizona to Deming New Mexico 101.5 miles and 794 miles from the Pacific. Doing a century ride today was not in the plan but that’s just how these things go. I packed up camp happy as the sun was rising over the high desert mountains to the east. My new air mattress is like sleeping at the Hilton – thank you Maja. And my new gears are great for climbing mountains – thank you thank you Brad. After a quick breakfast horse and I hit the road fully dressed in our insulated cold-weather gear. Not quite freezing temperatures last night but very close. The sun warmed up quickly and by the time we hit the New Mexico border I was taking off my leg warmers, jacket, and stocking cap.
A traffic was light and the road and a nice shoulder. The large Saguaro cactus have disappeared replaced by sagebrush and a funky looking bush type cactus. A hawk flies overhead looking for breakfast and I hear a coyote howl in the distance. I marvel at the tumbleweeds as they blow across the road in front of us. Mother nature’s way of spreading seeds by turning the bush into a ball and letting the wind do the rest.
The nice tailwind builds all morning. By the time we get to Lordsburg It’s turned into a full-fledged windstorm from the Northwest. The road turns north east and I do everything to try to hold horse on the road but it was nearly impossible. Gusts of 45 mph hit us broadside and nearly threw us into the ditch a couple times. I stopped and looked for Plan B. And then turned around and headed back to Lordsburg. As I was heading into town I guy in a big black pick up truck stopped next to me at an intersection. I must’ve been looking at the map with a dumbfounded look. The really nice older gentleman was from the area and we talked about options for a while. He was a former biker and his grown children are into mountain bikers. He help me figure out an alternate route that would send me towards Las Cruces taking advantage of the big wind. More trail magic just when I needed it. Horse and I had a downwind course and cruised between 15 and 20 mph all afternoon. By the time we got to Deming my legs had that rubber feeling. I got a room and took a shower, did some laundry and then went for some find Mexican food. The wind is still howling outside. I will sleep well tonight. I hope you do too. Cheers, Freebird
