In more ways than one. It is closed for Chuck and I since we have crossed over into Colorado. Also because many of the businesses in the small towns we passed through are boarded up or altogether abandoned. I’m not surprised since this is a harsh, harsh environment. In many ways beautiful, but it is not an easy place to live. Especially if you like water and shade.

My friend Damien put this trip into perspective for me when he said, “Say hello to America for me.” This really is a unique chance to see a cross section of the good ‘ole US of A. The first night we camped in Hachita after a long ride through the desert and Chuck said, “Well this is America” and my only response was, “I didn’t think it would be this rusty.”

After the first few days I was ready to start a petition to recommend New Mexico secede from the Union since it did not have a lot anything to offer. For instance the State symbol should be a beer can laying by the side of the road. It may be the only man made object you see for miles, but they are always present. No doubt the work of the 1% of the drivers (primarily driving beat-up white pickups) who think it’s an inconvenience to give us a bit of room when they pass. (It’s hard to see in this picture, but there are 5 beer cans in a 50 meter stretch.)

I would not call these people New Mexicans though, they are the standard idiots that make all of our lives a little more difficult. I have quickly realized true New Mexicans are a special breed. Not only friendly, outgoing and curious, but willing to go out of their way to help in any way possible. I guess this environment requires that from people to make it bearable.

For example we met Dede Happe recently and the encounter can best be paraphrased from a song by a famous artist (who’s name I will not mention for fear of reprisal) – “I met an angel, of that I’m sure.” As you all know from Chuck’s posts we have had more than our fair share of mechanical disasters. The latest was a bent rear sprocket (let’s see a show of hands if you’ve had this problem) causing my shifting to jump all over the place. Not a fun situation when climbing 1000′s of feet. We decided to bite the bullet and get an expensive room at the Abiquiu Inn, allowing us to figure out how to get to Santa Fe 50 miles away. Well the Inn did not have any vacancy so we set up in their restaurant to poach their WiFi and figure things out. Word got out of our predicament and eventually the hotel manager, Dede, walks up and offers to let us use her car to pick up the part. She must have thought I was mute, or worse, when I just stared at her with my mouth open. Eventually I stammered, “Are you sure,” and she said “Yes.” No questions asked, she just handed me her keys. This is what New Mexico is all about and therefore I’ve decided to forego the petition, although I might start one to clean up the beer cans, because they make me thirsty.

Enough about New Mexicans, lets talk about flatlanders. I will never look at a hill in Illinois or Wisconsin the same way. Before I left people asked how I was training for the trip and I naively said I had 3 months to train on the road. Possibly one of the dumbest things I’ve ever said. Some of these roads are unbelievable. Either straight up or down and more rock quarry then road. On most days I simply think to myself, “Why am I doing this?” On other days I think, “No really, why am I doing this???” Luckily there are enough moments in between when I realize why I’m doing this and couldn’t be happier. For instance taking the time to build a snowman in the middle of June.

I like to make a quick reply to a few of the comments:

Swa – Tried the card in the spokes, but it agitated the rattlers; the tassles work great though.
Ron & Mary – Can’t wait for that drink!
Lynne E – Unless those skeletons can pedal they’re staying in Telluride.
Geno – You’re right, “It’s just around the next corner”, but unfortunately it’s always another hill!
Martin – Beers consumed: not nearly enough.
Jill – Let Jack know the bears are a much bigger concern than the snakes.
Ruggles – Unfortunately very little snake meat or beer in our diets. Plenty of Twizzlers though!

Paula – Can’t wait until April/2008. I hope you still think I’m sweet Willy then.