Day 3: Monday

Distance: 77.00 mi.
Average: 12.1 mph
Maximum: 25.8 mph
Time in Motion: 6:20:51

Once again this morning, it was very cold. It was nineteen degrees. We waited until 8:30 to leave the motel, taking advantage of the continental breakfast.

Last night, we reevaluated our plan. We decided that rather than bike 117 miles through the mountains to Silver City, we would leave the Adventure Cycling route and bike to Lordsburg today and Silver City tomorrow. This would let us break up the long day.

Once we got on the road, in full winter gear, I could only manage 10 mph because of fatigue and a stiff Southeast headwind.

Things got better later on, and the trip to Lordsburg was quite flat. The road was excellent with wide shoulders, as seen in the photo above. At points along the route, there was no traffic at all. Once or twice, I stopped and listened. The endless desert surrounding me was completely silent and covered with an amazing blue sky.

Much of the desert is littered with garbage and unattractive. But the desolation has its own kind of beauty.

Shortly before we crossed into New Mexico (Photos of us at the border: ), just west of Duncan, AZ, one of Jesse’s spokes snapped . Shortly after that, near the village of Franklin , a second spoke gave way. Luckily, he was able to make it to Lordsburg , our planned destination for the night.

This is a big problem. The nearest bike shop is 50 miles north of here in Silver City, and we have no way to get there. We’ve considered catching a bus (if that is even possible in Lordsburg), doing something with a rental car (impossible in Lordsburg), or even hitchhiking.

Overall, I had a great day. Before my legs got warmed up this morning, I was a bit grumpy. But I got over it and enjoyed the day. I think Jesse was too worried about the spoke problem to enjoy the ride. I’m not too worried. I know we’ll figure something out for Jesse’s bike. It’s all part of the adventure, right?