Wednesday March 25, 2015

A really early start to the day. We were up and out of bed before it was light (6:15 am). We had packed the tent and were on our way to Stripes which is a gas station with a large hot food counter. We had decided to eat at Stripes and be on our way early, which we were. We were on the road by 8:15, the earliest start. It was a little chilly, and the wind was a cross-wind, but not really strong at this point. The road out of Marfa was very slightly uphill. We were both feeling good and strong, I was determined to make it to Van Horn.

Janet and Stephen had told us that you could pitch a tent in Valentine behind the library, there was a water hose available and toilets in the library until 5:00 pm. Valentine was the half-way point. I didn’t even want to think about stopping there, and that for me is half the battle. If I know I have to cycle a big distance I tell myself that is what I have to do and although my head might say I’m crazy and my legs might hurt, my determination keeps me going.

We passed by this Aerostat Radar Station.

It was a lovely ride again apart from the wind. It wasn’t a full-on head wind, and we were able to keep a steady pace most of the time of about 15 – 18 kph. As we were coming into Valentine a lady cyclist on a road bike slowed down enough to shout that there was food at the library and ask for Bubba. Ralf said what did she say. I told him what I had heard and we cycled on. Then two more cyclists came along, they came over and we stopped and chatted to them briefly, again they told us to go to the library and ask for Bubba. Two more roadies – “food at the library ask for Bubba”. Finally a guy in a recumbent stopped us, told us they were part of “Bubbas Pampered Cyclists” on the Southern Tier and we should stop because the local school had put on lunch for the cyclists and it was only $1.00 for a burrito.

Neither Ralf and I wanted to hang around too long, as the wind was picking up and changing direction on us. We agreed we stop for 10 minutes grab some lunch and head on out. Well…. When we arrived Bubba was there, we had a quick chat to him. He asked us if we were doing the southern tier, so we quickly told him what and where we had been. Bubba told us to go right on up to the food and enjoy some lunch. However, as we wandered up to the food, Bubba in his booming voice introduced us to the group of cyclists. “This is Jacky and Ralf they are from Canada and they have cycled in New Zealand, Australia, England, Europe and now are doing the Southern Tier of America, they have been on the road for 14 months” I felt like a celebrity. Of course our pre-arranged 10 minute stop was extended to half an hour, but it was a good break and the food was lovely. Bubba picked up our tab for the food. Thanks Bubba.

As we were heading out Janet and Stephen arrived, both looking tired. We told them we were heading out and we asked them if they were going to stay in Valentine for the night. Janet said she was tired, so I knew they would be staying in Valentine.

Ralf and I headed out into the wind. It wasn’t too bad, again it was more of a side-wind than an out and out full-on head wind, but it was constant and we had some heavy gusts. Nothing like in New Zealand where we were blown across the road, but still a very blustery day.

There is an interesting \”art\” installation just outside of Valentine.  It is a Prada, store.

Of course, the last 16 kms coming into Van Horn were the worst. The wind changed direction to a head wind with some very strong gusts. Fortunately the traffic was light, we didn’t have to worry about that.  It was a long, straight road.

As we were coming into Van Horn, both of us exhausted, taking in lung-fulls of scented air. The little purple flowers that were along the edge of the road were giving off a beautiful aroma.

We quickly found the Days Inn. I had a coupon for the hotel and we felt that we definitely deserved a good shower and a comfy bed tonight. My little legs are twitching from fatigue.

Tomorrow is a shorter day, I really hope the wind is out of the east and will blow us over the hills to Sierra Blanca. I don’t think I could face 50 ks of a full-on head wind and hills tomorrow.