Wowzers, today was another really difficult day of riding! I didn't think it was going to be as hard as it was, but Southern Colorado and New Mexico aren't screwing around. Oh, I passed into New Mexico about 15 miles ago!
It started off easy enough, 23 miles of rather rough-roaded downhill by a river that I pushed pretty hard, knowing it'd be a long day. I arrived at Horca hoping there would be a cafe but no luck, just cabins.
Then came the second easiest part of the day - 11 miles of pavement including a steep 6 mile pass. Steep, headwindy, but paved.
Then came the last 20 miles, a real kick in the saddle-sore. This was the road I was warned was unrideable when wet. It looked OK to me, and I happened to see a truck driving up it and I asked the guy about it and he said it was "fine but rocky." Yea...
So, mud-wise it was fine. I only ran into murder mud once and it was only 10 feet (but oh, did it screw with everything!) The rest was basically giant rocks in a road shape, which huge washouts. It made all Colorado roads before this look like down bedding. Often it felt like biking up a dry stream bed. These were the worst roads I've seen since the worst of Montana. Seriously difficult and slow riding. Also with several very steep climbs, including one 0.5 mile straight up push through a boulder field they called a road. It took me 35 minutes to push that half mile.
That stats for the day are 8:15 to 5:30, 53 miles with 5:47 on bike (just ten minutes less than yesterday!)
It was worth it, of course. The super remote views are amazing, and for a long time I traveled a ridgeline looking over this beautiful and huge wilderness area. There also is no-one else around. No-one. It's nice.
As usual I was surrounded by thunderstorms all afternoon but none of them hit me, which I was very greatful for. It would have become miserable trying to ride those roads in pouring rain. A big storm did hit last night, and for a bit over an hour I had to hold the side of my tent up. My tent has earned a name "StormBender" as it's now sturdy flexed it's way through two huge storms on the Divide and kept me safe. The lighting was also amazing, and everyone in the town is pretty sure some stuff in town got hit. It was extremely loud and bright.
Now I'm at Lower Lagunitas campground, a super remote campground on two lakes. There are areas of algea and lots of cow pies around so I walked around the lake until I found the inlet and filtered water from that. I'm over 10k feet so it's cold, but I've camped this high a few time now. I guess I'm getting used to the elevation.
There is a ton of wildlife around and I'm on the edge of a wilderness area so I'm using full bear precautions for food tonight. A pain in the ass but better than bears. Although, you'd think a bear would just eat the alpine cows that seem to roam free everywhere up here.
No philosophy tonight, too exhausted. I'm having thoughts but they are existing below the threshold of words for me right now. There just as much, but more felt than expressible. It's nice out here, and hard. I got into camp 3 hours ago and just am now done with basic camp chores.
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