Day 17: Gravity is Not Magic

Kingston, NM to Las Cruces, NM
Date: 01/18/2013
Distance traveled: 88.34 miles (925.44 miles total)
GPS tracks: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/263868705

Heading out of Kingston on the big downhill.

After a wonderful dinner, a soak in the hot tub, and a great night of sleep I was actually quite ready to get on the road. The Black Range Lodge was a good pick. Tom made a great breakfast and I enjoyed my time I spent with the owners and other guests. The room was also pretty nice – it evenncame complete with a very handy drying rack.

I normally have to jury rig a drying rack. This tree made it really nice.

I got a pretty early start since the weather is starting to warm up, which is a good thing since I had a lot of miles to cover. The most memorable thing about this ride was that it was moderately difficult. It wasn’t hard, wasn’t easy… just right. I had expected it to be super easy given the elevation that I was going to drop. It turns out that gravity is not that magical. It’s still work to bike 88 miles, no matter how much downhill there is. And there is always an uphill… even on the downhill.

Hatch “chile” sales.

The ride was pleasant and mostly uneventful. Got chased by two scary dogs. I had lunch on the banks of the Rio Grande, which isn’t much of a river right now. I also went through Hatch, NM which is where the famous “Hatch Chili Peppers” are from. This area is covered with cotton, chili, and pecan farms. There are a lot of chili processing businesses along this route.

Not exactly grand.

I also ran out of water somewhat unexpectedly, so I was really ready for some H2O when I got to the next town. That town happened to be Radium Springs which I hear is where some of the radioactive elements for the atom bomb were mined. Also, apparently folks used to soak in radioactive springs out here… that all may just be hearsay, though. The well water I got at the bar didn’t taste so good… with any luck, however, I’ll gain some super powers from drinking it.

This is a bus-stop bench in the middle of nowhere. The sign reads “Bus Stop. San Fe Trailways”.

My day ended in Las Cruces, NM at the lovely home of Mary Beth. We had a nice dinner out and then I came back and quickly crashed – I was exhausted! MB was a great host. I was so thankful for having yet another wonderful place to stay.

One of many pecan farms.

Pretty cute road runner painted on a bridge.

A lot of these towns have tiny, tiny post offices. However, none of them are the smallest in America.

I had no idea my tortillas needed instruction! ;-)