Fort Hancock to Van Horn Texas

Because of the very strong wind conditions at night, our guide and cook thought it prudent to eat breakfast inside at the little place across the street called Angie's. Though it didn't open until 6 am, about 15 of us were out there waiting in the dark and the cold for the place to open at 5:55, all thinking we would get there first and be out sooner. Because most of us were in bike shorts, we did the penguin huddle for warmth until the truck came with the person to open the place. Then we took the quiet little place over with 23 people.

After a breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon, I went back across the street to load my luggage and haul out my bike. When I looked down, I noticed the back tire was a little soft, having lost some air during the night. (For those of you keeping track, that would be flat #8). After consulting a few of the pros, I decided it would be best to change it before starting out. (So much for our early start on our 74 mile trip today!) I did change the back tire and replaced the tube without much difficulty. Susan warded off all those people who were ready to "help" me and "pity" me. The culprit was a tiny black thorn on the inside of the tire.

There was some gradual uphill after some flat riding on some back country roads. The advantage was it was quiet with little traffic, but the disadvantage is that much of the road surface today was rough. We climbed up into the town of Sierra Blanca after crossing the lower part of the same named mountains. We mistakenly ate at a little restaurant which had terrible food at about mile 42. After leaving most of it on our plates,we journeyed onward the other 32 miles with some travel on an interstate and some travel on a frontage road.

About a mile from our motel, Liz got a small wire in her tire and got a flat. It was changed quickly and we were on our way. Overall, it was a great day as the tailwinds were at our back and the weather was just perfect in the high 60's for most of the day. I think we were all worried about the mileage today but the weather, wind, and terrain really impacts the ride and today we lucked out!

I'm off to do laundry as we have very little chance to do launder again until 8 more days.
Hugs,
Robin