SYDC + 1

First off let's give kudo's to those involved with the NMES. About 5 years back Matt started this thing. Rumor has it that there were 12 riders that day. Yesterday 62 started!! Though Matt is now discovering new trails in Durango, his successor, Lenny, is doing a hell of a job. High Desert Bicycles deserves an acknowledgment. Vince, John and the boys opened up the shop early Saturday morning and had coffee, muffins and restrooms available to us. ABQ metro area has some great bike shops, but if you are in the Rio Rancho area, be sure to stop by High Desert Bicycles. Finally, Hammer Nutrition gets a thanks as well for supplying HEED, and Hammer Gel. Haven't tried the stuff, check it out. Be sure to read their nutrition info and you see why their stuff is the way to go.

Ok now for the ride. I went into this knowing it was going to be rough. I hadn't spent much time in the gym since the SYDC pre-ride and absolutely no time on the bike, thus I pretty much knew that it was going to hurt. 1 mile in and I seriously contemplated turning around, driving out to White Mesa and riding with Dan once he got there. Decided against that plan and just kept peddling. Finally made it out the gas compressor station and sure enough the wind was starting to pick up.
Some of my friends think I am crazy for doing these endurance rides (they are partially right), but I still have enough savy to know that NM winds are not fun. That being the case, I turned the bike back onto Encino Rd. and headed back to RR. Total Ride: 52 miles 6 hrs 50 min.

As for Dan, the toughest part of his ride was actually getting to Rio Rancho. After leaving Colo. Springs he was stopped near Pueblo for over an hour due to an accident. No worries right. Wrong again. Just outside of Las Vegas, NM he went through a DWI checkpoint. After seeing a 6 pack of microbrew (un-opened) on the floorboard (gift for Ashleah and I) and a piece of foil on his passenger seat (uses it for baked potatoes during his rides), the NM State Police took him off to the side and searched the VW. Too funny!!!!

Want to see how everyone else fared, check out the results.
Word for Sunday: SORE