Day 10
Day 10 will be a mostly flat ride until we climb into our destination Sierra Blanca, Texas. About 100 miles so nothing extraordinary.
Good time to talk about my biking partner, Mike Halstead. Mike is a gifted athlete who makes cycling, and all things triathlon, look easy. Not only is he a lion on the bike but at the same time he makes the rest of us still feel good about our meager results. If I suggest that we rest for awhile he states that he was thinking the same thing. Or if I ask if we can slow it down a notch he says that he was hoping I felt that way. The fact that he has MS makes the whole thing so extremely meaningful. Like the rest of the health hurdles in his life he handles it with poise, grace, and strength. Meanwhile back in upstate NY he is considered a rock star. He is constantly bombarded with messages from friends about the ride and is appreciative of them all. Yes, Mike is fortunate that he has his MS under control, but there isn’t a minute that goes by that he takes it for granted. Shout out to Halstead.
On the flip side me being in Texas reminds me of my finest musical moment. Alas I didn’t make the qualifying in the first grade for the choir at Holy Ghost School. I was however lucky enough to take mandatory piano lessons and around that same time gave my magnificent piano recital. The title was The Yellow Rose of Texas. My parents came dressed up right from church and we even ate a meal out afterwards to celebrate. I anticipate some of the Texas residents sometime this week will acknowledge that performance.
Big day today. More tonight. Keep spreading the MS word.
We are officially over 1000 miles. Today was the first day of the third map. About 100 miles from El Paso. What should have been an easier day was made difficult because of 4 things:
1. The heat. Again. When we checked into our room tonight a fellow in the lobby informed me we were lucky to come this time of the year and beat the heat! Are you kidding?
2. Headwinds. Again. Seemed like we fought headwinds all day. Makes the ride more of a grind for sure.
3. Road conditions. The shape of the pavement so far on this trip has been primarily atrocious. Makes the day more of a grind when you are constantly changing position to deal with the road.
4. Flats, flats, flats. All attributed to road conditions. Very discouraging when you have to stop and fix yet another flat.
Yet plenty to give thanks for:
How about that butt balm? Whatever brand you prefer you have to use this product in order to sit in the saddle all day every day!
Price of meals here in western Texas. It seems we have stepped back in time. Four for lunch with tip less than forty bucks. Can’t beat filling a two gallon plastic water container with ice cold water for a quarter at a water dispenser. Other than fuel, this area seems insulated from record inflation.
How about not worrying about border patrol and checkpoints? We are skirting Mexico and obviously are having no trouble with immigration authorities. When you look to the south and see the river and the difficult terrain it makes you ponder all the issues related to the border. Hard not to be happy to be an American.
Lastly how about those MS donations. We (you) keep poking away at this as we try to reach our goal of raising 100k. Thanks for the help.
We will keep spinning the wheels as tomorrow (Friday) is a very big day for the Alpha team. More tomorrow.