As today it was July 4th we all sported American flags including the Canadians. We are also leaving Arizona today and entering New Mexico.
I left this morning after a prayer for the road with Barb, Jane and Danita Blowers from NY. It was 615 and 61 degrees. My legs felt like lead and I struggle to get up to 12 m/ph. It seemed like I was riding on a flat tire. As we were biking under a power line Barb felt shocks and asked if any of us had felt them. None of us had so we thought Barb was being fully charged. She really did feel the shocks from the rivets on her bike. A little strange
Barb and Danita left us fairly soon as I was slower than they wanted to go. When I got to the first SAG I pumped up my tires to 105 lbs. I had them at 90 on advice of other cyclists. I rode a little easier.
People were in good spirits and enjoying the ride. The terrain changed a bit and we saw vast vistas. The road was rolling with mostly 1-3% grades both up and down, We could see the road ahead for miles.
As Jane and I were riding along we also ran over a dead snake. Jane went back to take a picture. she not only got a picture but she also cut off the rattle with her scissors and took it long. It still rattles.
Jane had gone ahead of me, but was waiting for me at the SAG stop and we finished the ride together. It was shortly after 12, 100 degrees when we got in and stopped at the local grocery store right by the school for our favorite after bike ride treat - chocolate milk.
I managed to get in without having any cramps in my legs, I will see how tomorrow goes before I decide to ride the 97 miles to Shiprock on Saturday.
One of cyclists sporting a tu tu today. Try to convince some of the guys to try it on.
Rudy and Shirley Folkerts who ride recumbent.
Billy D riding up along side encouraging me and asking if I needed any thing. He is much appreciated by cyclists
Pia Mesa coming into Zuni,
As we rode through the country we marveled at God's handiwork and the vastness of everything out here. So much space and few people
Daily stats
Distance55.25 mi
Stats for yesterday
Distance77.50 mi
We are staying at Zuni Christian Mission School. It is a ministry that was started over 100 years ago by the Christian Reformed Church and continues on today. Over two thirds of the money comes from donations and grants. One third of the money comes from tuition fees.
I did some riding around town and found the town very poor. It was almost depressing. In speaking with the principal of the school Kathy Bosscher she indicates many people live on less than 15000 per year. Nina Chimoni the president of the school board and a person that has live here most of her life, indicates life is hard for people and they depend mostly on the tourist to buy jewelry to make a living. I asked about farming and she indicates it has been very dry here for 9-10 years. The Little Colorado is almost dry and she believes towns up stream take water out for their use so towns below stream get very little. This town depends on artesian wells for all their water needs. You do not see any green grass. Nina also explained to me the earth ovens used for baking bread for large ceremonial feasts that are held in the community. They are religious in nature and parts of the ceremonies conflict with the Christian faith. The bread baking is a communal effort as sometimes over 100 loaves of bread are baked for the ceremonies. According to Kathy Zuni people live in community here in town whereas the Navajo live on reservations and are more scattered. Tomorrow we will be in Navajo country.
I am going to publish this post now and may add if I get more interesting info after our peleton meeting tonight.
2 comments:
Reading your blog with interest. After I accessed it for the first time the other day, I've been praying specifically for the lactic acid levels in your body; also protection for all the cyclists from rattlesnakes. Please don't feel any need to respond. Simply want you to know that you're being covered in prayer. Love the tutu picture!
Is your wrist feeling better?
Post a Comment