Mass Mountain Bike Descent to Lordsburg, NM via the Continental Divide Trail

The other day, November 9th, I finally got to do the mass accent to Lordsburg. This is the one ride I was somewhat envious when reading about it from Venezuela. 

We had a group of about 15 leave the parking lot on NM 90 about 25 miles south of Silver City. Our plan was to ride the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail to Lordsburg. I ended up using my back-up bike, my geared Litespeed leaning against the bumper of that Ford pickup because the rear valve on my Coconino started leaking as I was airing up the tire that morning. 

It turned out to be a beautiful day and ride, about 40 miles of dirt, the first half being single track and the other being 2 track dirt roads across the desert. 

The group regroups

Cooke's Peak in the distance

Technical uphill rocky section (walked this section when I should of/could of ridden it)

End of the single track

Into the desert

Lordsburg is to the left of center just below the horizon.

Charging the bull

Hard turn

Skewered

My bike's puny wheels

End of the ride: mediocre food, cold beer

 I really enjoyed the ride. I wasn't as fast as the 29" wheeled bikes, but I didn't care. I wasn't the last to reach Lordsburg, and it is all about the ride and enjoyment. This ride was well worth the wait!

The Niva

This was my Lada Niva. I had it from about 2004 to 2006. Picked it up in Caracas, and somehow it got us back to Puerto la Cruz without mishap. It was a small miracle after I learned about all the weird quirks of the vehicle as time went on. Cool car but it was always breaking down in one way or another. Never got to use it for its intended purpose, exploring offroad. The one time I tried, it broke down out in the boonies and had to get the help of a local to pull it up a hill with his truck so I could get it going down hill so I could eventually get it to run again. I think that was one of the last times I used it. A guy I worked with wanted it, I tried to warn him about it, but he bought it and flipped it for more money. Lesson learned.

State of the Oceans

Since I am teaching Environmental Science, I am gathering and gleaning information like this. This is grim. If I was a high school teenager, I'd be bummed seeing this kind of report.
http://www.stateoftheocean.org/research.cfm

Back at It

I have decided to start blogging again. I was heavy into FaceBook, a real time suck, but I've closed my account because of all the BS and decided I will publish my pics and stories here again. I might go back to using FB some day, but it will be a highly trimmed down version.

In the past my blog served as a diary of sorts, especially when living overseas in Venezuela. I am now back in the USA with my family, not sure if my post will be as interesting or colorful, but I am back in my hometown in New Mexico, we've been back for a little more than year.

The biggest news so far has been moving back to New Mexico, got a new job, new car, and a new bicycle. My new bicycle is probably the biggest deal. I have not had a new new bicycle since 1992. My custom Coconino is hand-built masterpiece by frame-builder Steve Garro (mentioned in other parts of the blog) whom I've known personally for at least 20 years. I am real happy and pleased how the bike turned out. It is an amazing ride.

More on everything later!