[RBW] Re: Ride Report-- Mini tour of SW New Mexico and SE Arizona

2016-10-15 Thread John M 

Thanks for the all the positive responses everyone.  It was a good and 
challenging trip for me and I'm glad that it resonated with a few of you as 
well.  

I'm not sure about that "recording prohibited" sign.  Guess I never thought 
too much about it.  I assumed the Forest Service was trying to prevent 
playback devices which can be used to located birds or other animals, but 
are generally considered a sort of wildlife harassment.  Maybe they are 
trying to prevent the commercial use of public lands without the 
appropriate permits.  Not sure, really.

The weather was fantastic!  Highs in the upper 70s or mid 80s depending on 
the day and elevation.  Low temps in the 50s.  Had a great lightning storm 
in the Chiricahuas on my last night there with thunder reverberating 
throughout the canyon and only a little rain to keep the night cool.  Winds 
were persistent, but not too bad-- mostly out of the east and southeast 
which actually gave me some assistance up the worst of the hills.


john


On Friday, October 14, 2016 at 12:01:02 AM UTC-6, John M wrote:
>
>
> For years I have wanted to make a bike tour out of the quiet backroads and 
> hidden corners of SW New Mexico where I live.  But a whole litany of 
> excuses, both real and imagined conspired against it—didn’t have the right 
> bike, too hot, too windy, too little water, not enough time, not in good 
> enough shape, not safe to go alone, and on and on and on.  This year I 
> became the new owner of a barely used Hunqapillar and resolved to make it 
> happen.  About a month ago I sketched out a rough plan and started putting 
> touring equipment together.  Last Thursday after spending way too much time 
> agonizing over the final details and packing for my fears instead of my 
> confidence, I locked the front door and soft pedaled through town headed 
> south towards the bootheel of New Mexico, destined for the Chiricahua 
> mountains just over the border in Arizona. 
>
>
> I figured I could do 50 miles per day, with a mix of dirt and 
> pavement—though I haven't had many rides over 15 miles in the last few 
> years.  More worrying than my ability to go the distance was the 
> resupply—mostly of water, but also food.  Water, like towns,  are scarce 
> out here and I planned to pack enough supplies to ride straight through 
> each day without needing to count on uncertain water sources (cattle tanks) 
> or stores that might be out of business or closed for the day.  I spent 4 
> days touring, camping in Forest Service campgrounds or just out in the wide 
> desert on BLM land.  
>
>
> Pictorial highlights here:  Flickr photos 
> 
>
>
> Route info here: Plotaroute 
>
>
> Other than the Chiricahua mountains which are justifiable famous among 
> bird watchers (Trogons!) and outdoorsy folk, it was wonderfully desolate 
> out there.  Ranch trucks and the Border Patrol were about the only other 
> travelers on the roads.   On one 20 mile stretch of dirt road, I spent 
> three hours spinning away in the small chainring, climbing in and out of 
> small drainages without a car passing me, or even having one in sight.  
>
> The bike did wonderfully—no mechanical failures or tire punctures.  I had 
> converted the Racing Ralphs to tubeless about a month ago to make sure they 
> would be reliable.  I still didn’t trust them completely and rode pretty 
> cautiously to prevent failure out in the boonies.  The bike came with the 
> Albatross handlebar, and though I am more used to riding with drops, the 
> Albas were fine.  I definitely missed the lack of *comfortable* hand 
> positions but they certainly didn’t prevent me from finishing the trip or 
> having a good time. 
>
>
>  
>
> john
>
>
>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[RBW] Re: Ride Report-- Mini tour of SW New Mexico and SE Arizona

2016-10-14 Thread dougP 
John:

Thanks for the report & photos.  It's great that you took the time to 
document your trip.  I was puzzled by the sign prohibiting recording 
devices.  Cameras? Videos? Sound recording?  Having the backpacking 
experience sounds like an excellent background for being in such wild 
country.  The notion of "packing for my fears..." is interesting but given 
the amount of stuff on your bike it doesn't look like you are too fearful. 
I refer to "defensive packing" when someone tries to cover every 
contingency & ends up with 80 lbs of stuff lashed to their bike.  

dougP

On Thursday, October 13, 2016 at 11:01:02 PM UTC-7, John M wrote:
>
>
> For years I have wanted to make a bike tour out of the quiet backroads and 
> hidden corners of SW New Mexico where I live.  But a whole litany of 
> excuses, both real and imagined conspired against it—didn’t have the right 
> bike, too hot, too windy, too little water, not enough time, not in good 
> enough shape, not safe to go alone, and on and on and on.  This year I 
> became the new owner of a barely used Hunqapillar and resolved to make it 
> happen.  About a month ago I sketched out a rough plan and started putting 
> touring equipment together.  Last Thursday after spending way too much time 
> agonizing over the final details and packing for my fears instead of my 
> confidence, I locked the front door and soft pedaled through town headed 
> south towards the bootheel of New Mexico, destined for the Chiricahua 
> mountains just over the border in Arizona. 
>
>
> I figured I could do 50 miles per day, with a mix of dirt and 
> pavement—though I haven't had many rides over 15 miles in the last few 
> years.  More worrying than my ability to go the distance was the 
> resupply—mostly of water, but also food.  Water, like towns,  are scarce 
> out here and I planned to pack enough supplies to ride straight through 
> each day without needing to count on uncertain water sources (cattle tanks) 
> or stores that might be out of business or closed for the day.  I spent 4 
> days touring, camping in Forest Service campgrounds or just out in the wide 
> desert on BLM land.  
>
>
> Pictorial highlights here:  Flickr photos 
> 
>
>
> Route info here: Plotaroute 
>
>
> Other than the Chiricahua mountains which are justifiable famous among 
> bird watchers (Trogons!) and outdoorsy folk, it was wonderfully desolate 
> out there.  Ranch trucks and the Border Patrol were about the only other 
> travelers on the roads.   On one 20 mile stretch of dirt road, I spent 
> three hours spinning away in the small chainring, climbing in and out of 
> small drainages without a car passing me, or even having one in sight.  
>
> The bike did wonderfully—no mechanical failures or tire punctures.  I had 
> converted the Racing Ralphs to tubeless about a month ago to make sure they 
> would be reliable.  I still didn’t trust them completely and rode pretty 
> cautiously to prevent failure out in the boonies.  The bike came with the 
> Albatross handlebar, and though I am more used to riding with drops, the 
> Albas were fine.  I definitely missed the lack of *comfortable* hand 
> positions but they certainly didn’t prevent me from finishing the trip or 
> having a good time. 
>
>
>  
>
> john
>
>
>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[RBW] Re: Ride Report-- Mini tour of SW New Mexico and SE Arizona

2016-10-14 Thread Dennis Hogan 
Great job John! The pics are wonderful - I've visited the Silver City area 
and think there may have been some serious climbing but also serious 
scenery. 
Dennis in PDX

On Thursday, October 13, 2016 at 11:01:02 PM UTC-7, John M wrote:
>
>
> For years I have wanted to make a bike tour out of the quiet backroads and 
> hidden corners of SW New Mexico where I live.  But a whole litany of 
> excuses, both real and imagined conspired against it—didn’t have the right 
> bike, too hot, too windy, too little water, not enough time, not in good 
> enough shape, not safe to go alone, and on and on and on.  This year I 
> became the new owner of a barely used Hunqapillar and resolved to make it 
> happen.  About a month ago I sketched out a rough plan and started putting 
> touring equipment together.  Last Thursday after spending way too much time 
> agonizing over the final details and packing for my fears instead of my 
> confidence, I locked the front door and soft pedaled through town headed 
> south towards the bootheel of New Mexico, destined for the Chiricahua 
> mountains just over the border in Arizona. 
>
>
> I figured I could do 50 miles per day, with a mix of dirt and 
> pavement—though I haven't had many rides over 15 miles in the last few 
> years.  More worrying than my ability to go the distance was the 
> resupply—mostly of water, but also food.  Water, like towns,  are scarce 
> out here and I planned to pack enough supplies to ride straight through 
> each day without needing to count on uncertain water sources (cattle tanks) 
> or stores that might be out of business or closed for the day.  I spent 4 
> days touring, camping in Forest Service campgrounds or just out in the wide 
> desert on BLM land.  
>
>
> Pictorial highlights here:  Flickr photos 
> 
>
>
> Route info here: Plotaroute 
>
>
> Other than the Chiricahua mountains which are justifiable famous among 
> bird watchers (Trogons!) and outdoorsy folk, it was wonderfully desolate 
> out there.  Ranch trucks and the Border Patrol were about the only other 
> travelers on the roads.   On one 20 mile stretch of dirt road, I spent 
> three hours spinning away in the small chainring, climbing in and out of 
> small drainages without a car passing me, or even having one in sight.  
>
> The bike did wonderfully—no mechanical failures or tire punctures.  I had 
> converted the Racing Ralphs to tubeless about a month ago to make sure they 
> would be reliable.  I still didn’t trust them completely and rode pretty 
> cautiously to prevent failure out in the boonies.  The bike came with the 
> Albatross handlebar, and though I am more used to riding with drops, the 
> Albas were fine.  I definitely missed the lack of *comfortable* hand 
> positions but they certainly didn’t prevent me from finishing the trip or 
> having a good time. 
>
>
>  
>
> john
>
>
>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[RBW] Re: Ride Report-- Mini tour of SW New Mexico and SE Arizona

2016-10-14 Thread Kellie 
John, I love your write-up, and I can especially relate to this, "*didn’t 
have the right bike, too hot, too windy, too little water, not enough time, 
not in good enough shape, not safe to go alone, and on and on and on." *Though 
not into the wilds, but alone, I'm hoping to ride the C in spring, 
self-supported. Thanks for the photos.

On Thursday, October 13, 2016 at 11:01:02 PM UTC-7, John M wrote:
>
>
> For years I have wanted to make a bike tour out of the quiet backroads and 
> hidden corners of SW New Mexico where I live.  But a whole litany of 
> excuses, both real and imagined conspired against it—didn’t have the right 
> bike, too hot, too windy, too little water, not enough time, not in good 
> enough shape, not safe to go alone, and on and on and on.  This year I 
> became the new owner of a barely used Hunqapillar and resolved to make it 
> happen.  About a month ago I sketched out a rough plan and started putting 
> touring equipment together.  Last Thursday after spending way too much time 
> agonizing over the final details and packing for my fears instead of my 
> confidence, I locked the front door and soft pedaled through town headed 
> south towards the bootheel of New Mexico, destined for the Chiricahua 
> mountains just over the border in Arizona. 
>
>
> I figured I could do 50 miles per day, with a mix of dirt and 
> pavement—though I haven't had many rides over 15 miles in the last few 
> years.  More worrying than my ability to go the distance was the 
> resupply—mostly of water, but also food.  Water, like towns,  are scarce 
> out here and I planned to pack enough supplies to ride straight through 
> each day without needing to count on uncertain water sources (cattle tanks) 
> or stores that might be out of business or closed for the day.  I spent 4 
> days touring, camping in Forest Service campgrounds or just out in the wide 
> desert on BLM land.  
>
>
> Pictorial highlights here:  Flickr photos 
> 
>
>
> Route info here: Plotaroute 
>
>
> Other than the Chiricahua mountains which are justifiable famous among 
> bird watchers (Trogons!) and outdoorsy folk, it was wonderfully desolate 
> out there.  Ranch trucks and the Border Patrol were about the only other 
> travelers on the roads.   On one 20 mile stretch of dirt road, I spent 
> three hours spinning away in the small chainring, climbing in and out of 
> small drainages without a car passing me, or even having one in sight.  
>
> The bike did wonderfully—no mechanical failures or tire punctures.  I had 
> converted the Racing Ralphs to tubeless about a month ago to make sure they 
> would be reliable.  I still didn’t trust them completely and rode pretty 
> cautiously to prevent failure out in the boonies.  The bike came with the 
> Albatross handlebar, and though I am more used to riding with drops, the 
> Albas were fine.  I definitely missed the lack of *comfortable* hand 
> positions but they certainly didn’t prevent me from finishing the trip or 
> having a good time. 
>
>
>  
>
> john
>
>
>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[RBW] Re: Ride Report-- Mini tour of SW New Mexico and SE Arizona

2016-10-14 Thread John M 
If you remain on federal, state or county roads-- then no.  Tribal roads? 
 Not sure.  I've gone into the Jemez through Cochiti Pueblo owned lands on 
state and county roads and never had an issue.  



On Friday, October 14, 2016 at 12:01:02 AM UTC-6, John M wrote:
>
>
> For years I have wanted to make a bike tour out of the quiet backroads and 
> hidden corners of SW New Mexico where I live.  But a whole litany of 
> excuses, both real and imagined conspired against it—didn’t have the right 
> bike, too hot, too windy, too little water, not enough time, not in good 
> enough shape, not safe to go alone, and on and on and on.  This year I 
> became the new owner of a barely used Hunqapillar and resolved to make it 
> happen.  About a month ago I sketched out a rough plan and started putting 
> touring equipment together.  Last Thursday after spending way too much time 
> agonizing over the final details and packing for my fears instead of my 
> confidence, I locked the front door and soft pedaled through town headed 
> south towards the bootheel of New Mexico, destined for the Chiricahua 
> mountains just over the border in Arizona. 
>
>
> I figured I could do 50 miles per day, with a mix of dirt and 
> pavement—though I haven't had many rides over 15 miles in the last few 
> years.  More worrying than my ability to go the distance was the 
> resupply—mostly of water, but also food.  Water, like towns,  are scarce 
> out here and I planned to pack enough supplies to ride straight through 
> each day without needing to count on uncertain water sources (cattle tanks) 
> or stores that might be out of business or closed for the day.  I spent 4 
> days touring, camping in Forest Service campgrounds or just out in the wide 
> desert on BLM land.  
>
>
> Pictorial highlights here:  Flickr photos 
> 
>
>
> Route info here: Plotaroute 
>
>
> Other than the Chiricahua mountains which are justifiable famous among 
> bird watchers (Trogons!) and outdoorsy folk, it was wonderfully desolate 
> out there.  Ranch trucks and the Border Patrol were about the only other 
> travelers on the roads.   On one 20 mile stretch of dirt road, I spent 
> three hours spinning away in the small chainring, climbing in and out of 
> small drainages without a car passing me, or even having one in sight.  
>
> The bike did wonderfully—no mechanical failures or tire punctures.  I had 
> converted the Racing Ralphs to tubeless about a month ago to make sure they 
> would be reliable.  I still didn’t trust them completely and rode pretty 
> cautiously to prevent failure out in the boonies.  The bike came with the 
> Albatross handlebar, and though I am more used to riding with drops, the 
> Albas were fine.  I definitely missed the lack of *comfortable* hand 
> positions but they certainly didn’t prevent me from finishing the trip or 
> having a good time. 
>
>
>  
>
> john
>
>
>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Re: Ride Report-- Mini tour of SW New Mexico and SE Arizona

2016-10-14 Thread Patrick Moore 
Thanks -- some 550 and 4, but much much less.

Do you know: would one have to get advance permission to ride across tribal
land?

On Fri, Oct 14, 2016 at 8:25 AM, John M  wrote:

> Patrick-- the RailRunner is your friend.  Roll your bike onto the train,
> get off at the Santo Domingo stop and the Jemez is a short spin away.
> Years ago I lived near Madrid and rode over into the Jemez from the
> southeast corner through the Dixon Apple Orchard.  Good riding there.
>
> Mojo-- you'd be interested to see the post-fire condition of the
> mountains.  The drainages took a serious beating during the monsoon floods,
> but seem to be recovering nicely.  Rustler Park looks good-- though it is
> now a high altitude grassland instead of forest.To answer your question
> about gear-- I have been backpacking for probably 20 years, so my outdoor
> kit is pretty refined and basic.  Stove, fuel, one pot for boiling and
> eating out of, water purification tablets instead of a filter and a
> multitool-- that's about the extent of the camping gear (plus tent, bag,
> pad).  But, my confidence about mechanical failures and improvised bicycle
> repair is less squared away.  I probably took too many spare bits and tools
> anticipating the break-downs that never came.  I could have gotten by with
> one spare tube instead of two.  What I left behind and should have brought
> was chain lube-- after about 200 miles of dust my chain was pretty vocal.
>
>
>
> On Friday, October 14, 2016 at 12:01:02 AM UTC-6, John M wrote:
>
>>
>> For years I have wanted to make a bike tour out of the quiet backroads
>> and hidden corners of SW New Mexico where I live.  But a whole litany of
>> excuses, both real and imagined conspired against it—didn’t have the right
>> bike, too hot, too windy, too little water, not enough time, not in good
>> enough shape, not safe to go alone, and on and on and on.  This year I
>> became the new owner of a barely used Hunqapillar and resolved to make it
>> happen.  About a month ago I sketched out a rough plan and started putting
>> touring equipment together.  Last Thursday after spending way too much time
>> agonizing over the final details and packing for my fears instead of my
>> confidence, I locked the front door and soft pedaled through town headed
>> south towards the bootheel of New Mexico, destined for the Chiricahua
>> mountains just over the border in Arizona.
>>
>>
>> I figured I could do 50 miles per day, with a mix of dirt and
>> pavement—though I haven't had many rides over 15 miles in the last few
>> years.  More worrying than my ability to go the distance was the
>> resupply—mostly of water, but also food.  Water, like towns,  are scarce
>> out here and I planned to pack enough supplies to ride straight through
>> each day without needing to count on uncertain water sources (cattle tanks)
>> or stores that might be out of business or closed for the day.  I spent 4
>> days touring, camping in Forest Service campgrounds or just out in the wide
>> desert on BLM land.
>>
>>
>> Pictorial highlights here:  Flickr photos
>> 
>>
>>
>> Route info here: Plotaroute 
>>
>>
>> Other than the Chiricahua mountains which are justifiable famous among
>> bird watchers (Trogons!) and outdoorsy folk, it was wonderfully desolate
>> out there.  Ranch trucks and the Border Patrol were about the only other
>> travelers on the roads.   On one 20 mile stretch of dirt road, I spent
>> three hours spinning away in the small chainring, climbing in and out of
>> small drainages without a car passing me, or even having one in sight.
>>
>> The bike did wonderfully—no mechanical failures or tire punctures.  I had
>> converted the Racing Ralphs to tubeless about a month ago to make sure they
>> would be reliable.  I still didn’t trust them completely and rode pretty
>> cautiously to prevent failure out in the boonies.  The bike came with the
>> Albatross handlebar, and though I am more used to riding with drops, the
>> Albas were fine.  I definitely missed the lack of *comfortable* hand
>> positions but they certainly didn’t prevent me from finishing the trip or
>> having a good time.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> john
>>
>>
>> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
> To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
>



-- 
Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews.
By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching.
Other professional writing services.
http://www.resumespecialties.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/patrickmooreresumespec/

[RBW] Re: Ride Report-- Mini tour of SW New Mexico and SE Arizona

2016-10-14 Thread John M 
Patrick-- the RailRunner is your friend.  Roll your bike onto the train, 
get off at the Santo Domingo stop and the Jemez is a short spin away. 
 Years ago I lived near Madrid and rode over into the Jemez from the 
southeast corner through the Dixon Apple Orchard.  Good riding there.

Mojo-- you'd be interested to see the post-fire condition of the mountains. 
 The drainages took a serious beating during the monsoon floods, but seem 
to be recovering nicely.  Rustler Park looks good-- though it is now a high 
altitude grassland instead of forest.To answer your question about 
gear-- I have been backpacking for probably 20 years, so my outdoor kit is 
pretty refined and basic.  Stove, fuel, one pot for boiling and eating out 
of, water purification tablets instead of a filter and a multitool-- that's 
about the extent of the camping gear (plus tent, bag, pad).  But, my 
confidence about mechanical failures and improvised bicycle repair is less 
squared away.  I probably took too many spare bits and tools anticipating 
the break-downs that never came.  I could have gotten by with one spare 
tube instead of two.  What I left behind and should have brought was chain 
lube-- after about 200 miles of dust my chain was pretty vocal. 



On Friday, October 14, 2016 at 12:01:02 AM UTC-6, John M wrote:
>
>
> For years I have wanted to make a bike tour out of the quiet backroads and 
> hidden corners of SW New Mexico where I live.  But a whole litany of 
> excuses, both real and imagined conspired against it—didn’t have the right 
> bike, too hot, too windy, too little water, not enough time, not in good 
> enough shape, not safe to go alone, and on and on and on.  This year I 
> became the new owner of a barely used Hunqapillar and resolved to make it 
> happen.  About a month ago I sketched out a rough plan and started putting 
> touring equipment together.  Last Thursday after spending way too much time 
> agonizing over the final details and packing for my fears instead of my 
> confidence, I locked the front door and soft pedaled through town headed 
> south towards the bootheel of New Mexico, destined for the Chiricahua 
> mountains just over the border in Arizona. 
>
>
> I figured I could do 50 miles per day, with a mix of dirt and 
> pavement—though I haven't had many rides over 15 miles in the last few 
> years.  More worrying than my ability to go the distance was the 
> resupply—mostly of water, but also food.  Water, like towns,  are scarce 
> out here and I planned to pack enough supplies to ride straight through 
> each day without needing to count on uncertain water sources (cattle tanks) 
> or stores that might be out of business or closed for the day.  I spent 4 
> days touring, camping in Forest Service campgrounds or just out in the wide 
> desert on BLM land.  
>
>
> Pictorial highlights here:  Flickr photos 
> 
>
>
> Route info here: Plotaroute 
>
>
> Other than the Chiricahua mountains which are justifiable famous among 
> bird watchers (Trogons!) and outdoorsy folk, it was wonderfully desolate 
> out there.  Ranch trucks and the Border Patrol were about the only other 
> travelers on the roads.   On one 20 mile stretch of dirt road, I spent 
> three hours spinning away in the small chainring, climbing in and out of 
> small drainages without a car passing me, or even having one in sight.  
>
> The bike did wonderfully—no mechanical failures or tire punctures.  I had 
> converted the Racing Ralphs to tubeless about a month ago to make sure they 
> would be reliable.  I still didn’t trust them completely and rode pretty 
> cautiously to prevent failure out in the boonies.  The bike came with the 
> Albatross handlebar, and though I am more used to riding with drops, the 
> Albas were fine.  I definitely missed the lack of *comfortable* hand 
> positions but they certainly didn’t prevent me from finishing the trip or 
> having a good time. 
>
>
>  
>
> john
>
>
>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[RBW] Re: Ride Report-- Mini tour of SW New Mexico and SE Arizona

2016-10-14 Thread 'Mojo' via RBW Owners Bunch 
Congratulations John for making your adventure happen!  I have been in the 
Chiricahuas just once fighting the Horseshoe2 wildfire in 2011. They are 
special mountains.

I like your thought that you packed for your fears instead of your 
confidence. Your bike bags look small enough, it doesn't appear you 
overpacked to me. I see you took a cookstove. What items, beyond the 
normal items like sleeping bag & tent, worked for you and what would you 
leave behind next time?

Thanks for sharing,
Joe "who should be on an adventure of his own in the first month of 
retirement but is reading about others' adventures instead" Ramey in GJT

On Friday, October 14, 2016 at 12:01:02 AM UTC-6, John M wrote:

>
> For years I have wanted to make a bike tour out of the quiet backroads and 
> hidden corners of SW New Mexico where I live.  But a whole litany of 
> excuses, both real and imagined conspired against it—didn’t have the right 
> bike, too hot, too windy, too little water, not enough time, not in good 
> enough shape, not safe to go alone, and on and on and on.  This year I 
> became the new owner of a barely used Hunqapillar and resolved to make it 
> happen.  About a month ago I sketched out a rough plan and started putting 
> touring equipment together.  Last Thursday after spending way too much time 
> agonizing over the final details and packing for my fears instead of my 
> confidence, I locked the front door and soft pedaled through town headed 
> south towards the bootheel of New Mexico, destined for the Chiricahua 
> mountains just over the border in Arizona. 
>
>
> I figured I could do 50 miles per day, with a mix of dirt and 
> pavement—though I haven't had many rides over 15 miles in the last few 
> years.  More worrying than my ability to go the distance was the 
> resupply—mostly of water, but also food.  Water, like towns,  are scarce 
> out here and I planned to pack enough supplies to ride straight through 
> each day without needing to count on uncertain water sources (cattle tanks) 
> or stores that might be out of business or closed for the day.  I spent 4 
> days touring, camping in Forest Service campgrounds or just out in the wide 
> desert on BLM land.  
>
>
> Pictorial highlights here:  Flickr photos 
> 
>
>
> Route info here: Plotaroute 
>
>
> Other than the Chiricahua mountains which are justifiable famous among 
> bird watchers (Trogons!) and outdoorsy folk, it was wonderfully desolate 
> out there.  Ranch trucks and the Border Patrol were about the only other 
> travelers on the roads.   On one 20 mile stretch of dirt road, I spent 
> three hours spinning away in the small chainring, climbing in and out of 
> small drainages without a car passing me, or even having one in sight.  
>
> The bike did wonderfully—no mechanical failures or tire punctures.  I had 
> converted the Racing Ralphs to tubeless about a month ago to make sure they 
> would be reliable.  I still didn’t trust them completely and rode pretty 
> cautiously to prevent failure out in the boonies.  The bike came with the 
> Albatross handlebar, and though I am more used to riding with drops, the 
> Albas were fine.  I definitely missed the lack of *comfortable* hand 
> positions but they certainly didn’t prevent me from finishing the trip or 
> having a good time. 
>
>
>  
>
> john
>
>
>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.