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Day 18: Marathon to Sanderson, Texas

53 Miles, 720 feet climbed

Today’s winds were milder but still pushing us back, not forward. Steve from DC and I rode together and ended up getting to the hotel first.

Concerns about tomorrow’s 119 mile ride in the face of projected 20+ mph headwinds gave rise to an idea from George that the group ride another 20 miles beyond Sanderson today, shuttle the bikes back to Sanderson and then shuttle to start tomorrow’s ride where we ended today. This would help the EFI (Every F** Inch) crowd. Not being so inclined and having an afternoon State Bar meeting to attend, I opted out of the extended ride.

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Day 17: Marfa to Marathon, Texas

33.8 miles, 865 feet climbed

We are now due north of Big Bend National Park. 

Epic Ride Weather predicted strong crosswinds/headwinds for today with a tailwind component near the route’s end. It was all I could do to maintain a 10 mph pace at the beginning. Ultimately the crosswinds, said to be 30 mph, gusting stronger, were too much from a safety standpoint when the shoulders narrowed to 2 feet wide. Who wants to be blown into a ditch?

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Day 16: Resting in Marfa, Texas

A laundromat with plenty of machines was a block from the hotel. I replaced my chain and joined some of the others for a walk to Dairy Queen for lunch (on days off, we’re on our own for meals. At DQ the “beltbuster” isn’t even the biggest burger on the menu. Following that, a little stolling around town. The courthouse is the dominant structure and it’s top floor observation area is open to the public.

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Day 15: Van Horn to Marfa, Texas

73.8 miles, 1539 feet climbed

The headwinds/crosswinds were back in full force. Tonight and tomorrow night’s property, the Hotel Paisano, bears a striking resemblance to the El Capitan Hotel in Van Horn. They are sister properties, designed by the same architect. Marfa is the seat of Presidio County, with a 4-story courthouse that dominates the skyline. It is an arts and cultural center in the region. The timing of our trip, putting us here on Sunday and Monday, means that many of the galleries, shops, and restaurants are closed. Try to come here Thursday through Sunday for the best access.

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Day 14: Fabens to Van Horn, Texas

99 miles(82 actual, see below), 2303 feet climbed

Another day with healthy tailwinds. Due to the sparse services, Dennis wanted us to ride with at least a partner. All seven of us in the early to leave group rode together. About a mile before the second water/snack stop, my rear tire developed a slow leak. By using my frame pump twice during that final mile, I was able to limp to the stop. Replacing the tube didn’t solve the problem, however. Rather than delay the group, I rode in the van to the lunch stop, 17 miles later.

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Day 10: Bisbee to Portal, Arizona

85.3 miles, 2225 feet climbed

Our day began with breakfast at the Bisbee Breakfast Club. Then approximately 18 miles of generally downhill riding toward Douglas. A quartering headwind kept speeds in check. After Douglas, traffic was very light, allowing us to ride at the edge of the traffic lane when the shoulder was bumpy with upthrusting cracks or intruded upon by roadside vegetation (weeds).

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Day 9: Benson to Bisbee, Arizona

24.3 miles, 2165 feet climbed

We woke to the prospect of significant rain if we were to leave at our normal starting times. Departure was pushed back to 11 am. At 11 it was raining in Benson. Our leader recommended shuttling to a starting point in Tombstone, which would avoid the rains. A few riders opted to start in Benson, wanting to ride every inch of the tour route (known in the business as “EFI”). I chose to shuttle. For those who started in Benson the rains let up after about 7 miles but strong headwinds gave them a workout.

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