Periodic Progress Report Southern Tier Cross-Country Bicycle Tour

Date(s): Oct. 12, 1999
Day: Tuesday
From: El Paso, TX
To: Ft. Hancock
Lodging: Community Church
Segment Mileage: 54.6
Cumulative Mileage: 1177.3
Actual Riding Time: 3:31
Average Speed: 15.4
Weather: Sunny, warm
Temp: mid 80's

Today we learned that Tod, 'English Tod' as everyone says, had to leave the tour. His legs had been bothering him, so Bob, the physician in the group, suggested he see a doctor. He was diagnosed with blood clots and told to rest for two weeks. Tod wanted to continue and the doctor gave him some drugs that would either work quickly or not at all, and today the problem wasn't any better. He changed his flight reservations and was on a plane home by 2:00 this afternoon, with Bob, his riding partner, and Jim helping him to box his bike and make his travel reservations.

It's always good to be leaving a big city and getting back into the countryside, however the trip out is usually not pleasant, and today wasn't an exception. About 1/2 of the day was spent riding through the city, from the 'west side' to the 'east side'. San Eizario, at about 24 miles from the start, seemed to be on the edge of the metro area. Oliver and I rode together for the day, first going to the post office to mail some things home, and send a couple of letters. I stopped at the bike shop again to ask about my hat; I think the owner thinks I'm a little wacko, but I need the hat, both in the sun and rain that is sure to come in the southeast.

At San Elizrio Oliver and I stopped to walk through the mission church and eat lunch on the steps. There were several missions on our route and we stopped at two of them to take pictures and read the historical markers. We soon nearly caught up with Cyndi, Todd, Bruno, Suzanne, and Jimmy, but just before catching them I realized that the reason my bike felt so strange was not due to the road but to the slow leak in my front tire, caused by another goathead thorn.

Camp tonight is at the Community Church because there are no campgrounds in the area. There are no showers, but we'll make do. It's a great spot, with grass, shade, trees, and bathrooms. Baths will have to be with a sponge.