Day 19 - March 5, 2010 - Coast to Coast

Sorry for the posting delay. Computer still down and daughter Yvette (our support blogger) got a new job in Michigan and very busy packing to move from St. Louis back home. Yea! Yea! Welcome home! Wish we were there to greet you.

Impressions from the Captain: We made it! We made it! We made it! We got over Emory Pass, 8200 ft. elevation, the highest point on our whole trip. I've been anxious about this climb since we got the maps. We don't mind admitting that we went bike hiking (pushing the bike) a few times. We were having difficulty with breathing as we neared the summit rather than the legs giving out. The reward of the climb was outstanding scenery.

After celebrating at the pass, we put on warm clothes and started down the east side which was very steep. On a tandem, with rim brakes, you have to watch out that you don't overheat the rim and cause a blow out (you have twice the weight on a tandem but the brakes of a single bike). We had a blow out about 4 miles from the top of the pass. We were walking the bike to take a little break. The blow out sounded like a rifle shot. No idea of the cause.

Because of the 18 miles downhill, we were able to get in 52 miles riding for the day. I was amazed at how much two days rest or the pasta loading last night had on our legs. (From the Stoker: How about 52 miles because we are getting stronger).

These mountains are so challenging that the pro's come here in late April for the Tour-de-Gila. Lance Armstrong and his team will be here to prepare for the Tour-de-France.

From the Stoker: Yes! We did it and not ashamed to be patting ourselves on the back and thanking the Good Lord for a little tailwind the last 4 steepest miles.

For those of you following us on a map, we biked on Hwy. 152 just outside of Silver City, NM. to Caballo Lake State Park in Caballo, NM. The highway was very narrow, 2 lane with no shoulders, and very winding and beautiful. The canyon was gorgeous and the the huge pine tree forest and flowing river reminded us so much of home (northern Michigan). I am so sad that I can't download the pictures yet. Our last few biking days have been through the prettiest scenery of the trip so far.

I am still overwhelmed and can't find the right words to express how it feels and smells and looks when you are traveling so close to nature and to what this country of ours has to offer.