Periodic Progress Report Southern Tier Cross-Country Bicycle Tour

Date(s): Oct. 3, 1999
Day: Sunday
From: Three way, AZ
To: Buckhorn, NM
Lodging: Buckhorn RV Park
Segment Mileage: 47.6
Cumulative Mileage:
Actual Riding Time: 4:17
Average Speed: 11.1
Weather: Hot, sunny
Temp: Low 90's

Today was another short but hard day which included a climb up Needle's Eye pass at 6,295 feet. We started at just under 4,000 feet and climbed for the next 16 miles. A note on our Adventure Cycling map states that there are limited services between Safford, AZ and Silver City, NM and we were passing through the middle of that area. We all loaded up on water either at camp or at the store just before the climb. I had 3 water bottles and 1 Gatorade bottle and it was just barely enough. When I got in to camp I drank 2 drinks and a can of peaches with the syrup and felt back to normal.

The climb to Needle's Eye was long but not too steep, and we passed through a beautiful area of reddish cliffs and short evergreens. As we approached the final 5 or so miles of the climb, we could see part of the group up ahead as small specks in the distance. From the top we waved at those behind us and yelled down. Oliver and I rode together for most of the day, joined by Mike for the last few miles. After Needle's Eye, the vegetation changed to tall evergreens in a lush forest, quite a change from the past two weeks of desert, but it didn't last long. By the time Oliver decided to take a picture of the forest it was gone, replaced by the shorter scrub pine. Most of the group gathered for a picture at the New Mexico sign on the other side of the mountain. We waited for a while for Cyndi and Suzanne, but decided to go ahead with the picture. Brendon, who is from California and riding alone to the East coast, agreed to be our camera person. From there Oliver, Mike and I rode hard into town. Once we go to 5800 feet the vegetation changed again to prairie pastures interspersed with a few round evergreens, and we could see for miles. The roller coaster hills beyond Mule Creek were fun as we would try to ride hard enough to make it up the other side without pedaling.

After we finished the last climbs, we formed a paceline using the slight downhill and tailwind to race into town. Camp is another RV park. It would have been much better to camp in the mountains, but there were no facilities or water. Some of us are hoping for some more primitive but scenic sites in the future. Gila Hot Springs may be our first taste of this type of camp, where we will spend our second layover/rest day, after riding there tomorrow. We cross the Continental Divide tomorrow just past Pinos Altos, on another challenging day.

Flat tire statistics: After an informal poll the other day, and including flats since then, 6 people have had at least 13 flats. Bob leads with 4, and Cyndi is next with 3, neither of whom wants to win the competition.

After posting yesterday's report, Janet heard on the radio that a missile would be launched from Vandenburg Air Force Base. Sure enough, it lit up the sky right at 8pm. Today, Brendon, the solo rider, was glad to hear that there was a rational explanation for the bright light.

Tonight we had some extra daylight due to the time change in New Mexico. That gave the cooks, Bob and Janet, some extra time to figure out what to do with the meagre rations obtained at the Buckhorn store. They came up with their own version of spaghetti and macaroni and cheese, the Buckhorn special. They even plan pancakes for breakfast, a special treat. Later we played 'spot the satellite'.