Day 22 Mon. Oct 6, 2008

Socorro to Magdelena. 27 miles. On Sunday afternoon, we arrived at Socorro, rented a room and I immediately began working on the bike, as if I knew what the hell I was doing.

A few weeks before I started my ride, Gordy Bailey had organized a ride in Dodge County for his friends and his son and his friends. The ride was 62 miles. I was bringing up the rear and Gordy’s son was staying with me. He demonstrated the gear changes in the bike and corrected a gear changer so that the gears could be switched without excessive noise

On Sunday I had attempted to recall that lesson. I repaired a flat tire and made use of a special corrective repair called Green Slime. It is pumped into the inner tube which allow the slime to cover all the holes in the tube. I put it in the tire rather than the tube. I patched the inner tube, pumped it up and adjusted the brakes. I was so proud of the effectiveness of my learning curve.

The next morning I got up and checked the wheel. It was flat. So I finally decided to utilize the new wheel I had purchased at Erik’s Bike Shop. I replaced the wheel and having done so, I was on my way. About 6 or 8 miles out, I had another flat. I wasn’t sure what to do, but I had to do something. I called Pam and asked her to pick me up. Pam, on Sunday, had driven and walked around Socorro and found a bike shop. It was closed Sun. and Mon. but when she picked me up we went to that bike shop in hopes it might be open, but it wasn’t. So I went across the street to the Chamber of Commerce.

I inquired if they knew of anyone besides the bike shop who could help me with my bike. Terry, a retired Federal employee, but the Director of the Chamber of Commerce, came to my rescue. He is a weekend biker and knows how to fix tires. We followed him to his home and he repaired all 4 of my inner tubes.

Then he called the bike shop owner at home. He, Karl, was at home with a sick daughter, but learning about my predicament, he obliged. His shop is called Spoke-n-Word Cycles. When he arrived, not only did he fix all 4 wheels, but he replaced the patched tubes with new ones and injected them all with a golden colored slime that was especially designed for bicycles. It, more or less, guarantees that no goat head weeds shall ever flatten my tires again. Goat head is a very small weed pod with very hard needles protruding. When you go over them with your bike they pierce the tire and the tube. They are alongside the roads in parts of New Mexico. Car and truck tires aren’t affected, but everyone we have met in western New Mexico knows about them.

Karl also adjusted my gears and brakes. I received another valuable lesson in cycling. I should have a pump on the bike and a repair kit. So I bought both from Karl.

In the Twin City area when you bike and your bike gets sick, you go to Erik’s Bike Shop. And in Minnesota when you participate in 300 and 400 mile bike rides for charities and your bike gets sick, Erik the bike man is there to take care of you.

Around noon I thanked both Terry and Karl and I was on my way. I also learned from Karl that Jim Voss is a regular customer and stops when he passes through every year. Two days ago he was on his way to Phoenix.

I began for the second time my ascent. I was pushing back at the successive waves of wind that swept down like an angry semi driver. With each relentless surge it howled in my ear with a shrill voice: Despair! Despair! I going home! The ascent too silently joined in the struggle. The degree of its angle getting a little steeper every few hundred yards. I believe it is 6 degrees every 1000 ft. I looked down at the road and pushed harder at my pedals. The climb continues for approximately 1 ½ miles. The Trusty Titanium Sequando and I triumphed. But I had to repeat another battles very soon after. It took me 3 ½ hours to complete 27 miles to Magdalena.

Me, all I have to complain about it the seat on my bike. What makes this journey so interesting is the people you meet and their willingness to make donation to the cause. Karl gave me his time and a fair discount. Terry took time from his work and repaired my tires, but suggested the need to check with Karl, the expert. He refused to take nay money for his time and work and shared many experiences and stories with me.

Cars as they pass, toot their horns, not frequently, but enough to put some muscle in the ride. I have yet to wave to a vehicle, even semis, and not get a cordial response. When we stop to eat at a café or restaurant people are so darn polite and friendly.

We remained in Magdalena for the night. It’s a very cozy High Country Lodge on Hwy 60. A young man and his father came from Idaho to hunt in the mountains. They spent 3 days and the son shot an elk. They donated the meat to a charity and just took the head home for a trophy. They gave us all the snacks, etc they had and hadn’t even opened because they thought they would be there longer.