New Mexico Here We Come

This has to be the hardest days cycling I have ever done. 74.7 miles of relentless climbing in heat in the high 80's. Up, up winding, zig zagging through mountain passes. My legs were sore but breathing was ok so knew, although it was tough, that I was coping. We climbed 5400 feet and man did I know it. General Kearney passed through this way, guided by Kit Carson opening up the route from New Mexico to California. Had a great compliment paid to me by Dave, our fearless leader, he said ' You are good, you are strong. You will have no trouble on the mountain.' That gave me a great lift and kept me going for the next 10 miles. We passed into NM, putting or watches forward by one hour, and immediately the terrain changed from scrubland to a lovely pine forest. After 45 miles of hard climbing we still had another 30 of steep rolling hills. Lisa and Robert C rode in the van again. Robert C lives in flatlands and is not used to hill cycling. He is feeling quite depressed. Camp tonight was not the best, one toilet and one shower between 14 of us and other campers but we managed. Thanks to Andrew, Betty, Cams and Michael for there support. The comments keep me going. Much harder now but guess what ....still loving it...