Training Wheels Issue #5

The ongoing list of THANKS:

• Double thanks to Audio Innovators of Kinsman, Ohio. The radio system you supplied us with is wonderful!
• Thanks to Janey Kortas for the wonderful care package- brownies, almonds, and other yummies.
• Thanks to Momma Shirley and Mother Mary for sending the extra tubes and cycle shorts (tip: do not put cycle shorts in the dryer, the pad hardens)
• We recommend Armadillo tires, since we purchased these tougher treads we haven't had any flats since Flagstaff.
• We love all you guys and hope to hear from you soon. Please join us in Birmingham, Alabama and/or at the big party at Tybee Island, Georgia!

"Que Pasa" (what's happening):
      Recaps:

• Monday, August 27th- Distance 92.58 miles from Holbrook, AZ to Gallup, NM. Finally, we crossed the border! The route followed I40 and Rt. 118. The highlight of the day included a side-trip to the Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert. On Rt. 118, we met some Indian children who wanted to join our ride. Entering New Mexico felt great and the awesome Rock formations were beside us.
            
• Tuesday, August 28th- Distance 60 miles from Gallup, NM to El Morro National Monument. Rt. 66 to 602 to 53. We awoke to cool winds and sunny skies in Gallup. We repacked the RV and prepared Harv's bike for shipping. The ride began with two big climbs into Zuni land. An amazing lightning storm forced us to get in the truck and take the afternoon to explore the town of Zuni. A dust storm didn't stop Alinda from trading for fetishes with the local Indians on the reservation. Back on the bikes to Rhama Valley, home of some wild Mustangs. A strong headwind slowed us and we continued to El Morro, a land of solid rock walls. The yellow flowers lined our trail, the Zunis waved to us along the way and we agreed that it was the most beautiful scenery we had had so far.
• Wednesday, August 29th- Distance 111 miles from El Morro, NM to Albuquerque, NM. In a small, beautiful campground beneath a 500-ft rock wall in the heart of the mountains. We departed at an elevation of 8,000 ft. the next morning and traveled over 8 miles of dirt road construction. We crossed the Continental Divide at 7,335 ft and sailed downhill to Grants, NM. Then back on Rt. 66 in a high desert plain with temperatures in the mid 80s. We snaked through red rock carved canyons and beamed when we completed our 111 miles for the day. The day concluded with the arrival of Torula, our new chef and driver (and the arrival of our yummy goodies from home.)
            
• Thursday, August 30th- Distance 77 miles Rt. 66 to Rt. 114 (Turquoise Highway) Albuquerque to Santa Fe. Harvey was ready for what he called "civilization" and the Harvinator departed after giving Torula a quick driving lesson. All he could talk about was a good shower, shave, and a remote control. We were all sad to see him go! In the mountain we stopped at Madrid, an old mining town turned ghost town turned Hippie Hideaway. Torula was in her element as she drifted from studio to gallery to shop. The rest of the ride was ALL uphill (old Wilson's hill will never pose the same challenge as it once did). The rain hit hard at one point it even seemed like hail, but our faithful four riders trudged on despite the elements. Before leaving WV, my good friends Wes and Bimbo gave us a plaque for our RV that says "Follow Your Dreams." As I climbed those hills I saw familiar smiling faces: Jeanine LaShear, her dream to race, Patty Feury, her desire to ride a road bike, Christi O'Neil-Lynch, to do this trip across America someday herself. Then I looked ahead and saw Rebel conquering so much more than this mountain. Beat and famished we finally reached Santa Fe and chowed on refried beans and tortillas before we hit the sack hard. New Mexico's governor is a cyclist! There is no doubt that he has had a hand in designating bike routes in this state.
• Friday, August 31st- Rest day in Santa Fe! We shopped and explored the unique tids and bits touristy stores and sights in the oldest Spanish settlement in the U.S. We thouroughly enjoyed ourselves despite the rainy weather.
• Saturday, September 1st- Distance 103 miles, Santa Fe, NM to Eagle Nest, NM, Rt. 14 to Rt. 84/285 to Rt. 68 to Rt. 585 to Rt. 64. The most dangerous part of the trip thus far! Although we got an early start, the traffic in Santa Fe was heavy and nerve-wracking. The roads 14, 84/285, and 68 had terrible shoulders and folks seemed like they were in a real hurry to get to Taos. For 75 miles, we struggled mentally, the views were incredible with the Rio Grande Gorge. Once on 585, the canyon road narrowed, traffic slowed and lightened, we finally began to enjoy the ride. For 20 miles we snaked upward to the peak of 9,200 feet, 4 miles of an awsome downhill, followed by a view of a lifetime. Angel Fire, a 30 mile valley, lake and enourmous mountains, much like Colorado or Montana scenes. We camped at the side of the lake. This valley has very minimal development. We loved it and it is truly a place we will visit on another trip. We have now cycled 1,100 miles and for the first time have began discussing crossing the Mississippi. Torula is a treat- teaching us to gather sage, preparing delicious meals, bringing art into our lives, making her incredible oatmeal with raisins, bananas, prunes, and apples. The group is really working as a team, during the ride and during daily chores.
            
• Sunday, September 2nd- Distance 92 miles, Eagle Nest to 50 miles West of Clayton at Joe Grines Ranch. Leaving Eagle Nest, we entered Cimmeron State Park full of rock formations, fur trees, sparkling brooks, and an elevation of 8,200 ft. We visited the town of Cimmeron and took in the Labor Day festival- downing a milkshake and homemade muffins from the locals. The dicotomy of culture was evident- an Indian sat quietly to the side drumming on a hand drum and chanting softly while the Radio Station broadcasted live at the opposite end of the park. From there we entered the Grasslands and spotted RoadRunners, Antelope, and a herd of Deer. A thunderstorm kept us in the tiny town of Springer for a few hours. We continued along with the Rockies in our rearview now. As the evening drew closer we saw far more animals than people, the land is empty as far as the eye can see. At dusk Bobby knocked on the door of the unexpecting Grines family to ask if they would mind if we camped in their yard for the night. Joe Grines was great, part Mexican, part Indian, and part French, and such a gentleman. We enjoyed the full moon on the expansive grasslands and the ranchers friendly dog. We were very thankful that the boys were able to fix the generator because it would have been a rough night out there with no power or water in the RV.
            
• Monday, September 3rd- Distance 103.61, Joe Grines Ranch to Boise City, OK. Leaving New Mexico and the enormous grasshoppers we entered the dreaded Oklahoma, the land of intense heat and powerful headwinds. Elevation is no longer a key factor, but the winds really make us work for those miles. The area is scarcely populated but the roads and shoulders are decent for bycicling. In the late morning, we met another cyclist, Joe, on an average Huffy bike. When we stopped to talk to him, we discovered that he too was crossing America. He had left his home in Valpraso, Indiana a month ago and was headed for LA. Unlike us, he was entirely alone and self-contained, traveling on a whim with no time frame or particular plan in mind. We haven't really seen any other cyclists out here, just a lot of truckers. Bobby is an incredible ride leader, he can bust the wind like nobody's business.
• Tuesday, September 4th- Distance 98 miles, Boise City, OK to an abandoned homestead outside of Balko, OK. As we geared up to go, Torula sang us a Navajo Chant, "Beauty Around Us," to set the mood. Stastic days in OK- count the number of revolutions in a = mile at a Heart Rate of 110, focus on the rumble strips, count the number of telephone poles, count the oil wells, watch each little 1/10 of a mile tick away, etc. This is a long state and we haven't even made it out of the panhandle yet. The coolest part of the monotony is the abandoned homesteads along the road. At one mechanical stop, Torula and Nick decided to "found" a town. The name is controversial at this point, "Siegville." Nick is claiming everything, but he has agreed to let Torula run an organic restaurant, McTorulas, on the premises. Guymon was certainly a treat with an ice cream parlor and a stop light (can you tell that we have missed civilization). The final stop for the day- an abandoned homestead with the remains of a tornado shelter. We ran around the place posing for random pictures while watching the sun set over the prairie. Stuffed from another Torula feast, stir-fry, we conked out again on the side of the highway.
            
• Wednesday, September 5th- Three and a half miles on our way a horrific storm haulted our progression. Torula yanked us off the road at 3:30 so that we could begin our field trip to Tulsa. It was a haul filled with storms, stories, and snores. Thursday, September 6th- Now it is off to the airport to say goodbye to Rebel, who is heading off to school, and Torula, who is heading back to her work and her husband in West Virginia.
            

Physical findings:
      Sally Edwards- You are a genius! Our physical feedback via Heart Zone Training is so accurate. Here are a few facts:

1. Alinda's heart rate is significantly affected by temperature 100 degrees and above, the elevation of the heart rate is at least 10-20 beats per minute.
2. Nick, age 24, who with no heart zone knowledge, rode for approximately 8 days, zones 3, 4, and even 5 occasionally. After those first 8 days of hard riding, he began to feel "flush" and zapped of energy. His heart rate was higher with less effort. His Delta heart rate was 30! We made him really rest during our breaks and ride in zones 1 and 2 for 2 days. He is once again raring to go now!
3. Although his heart rate did not seem to be affected at these elevation ranges, Bobby physically notices the higher elevation because he feels sleepy at 7,000 ft and above, most likely due to decreased oxygen. The cycle specificity of our legs is great! With proper hydration, none of us have experienced any soreness or cramping. Our bodies are doing well. Mentally, we needed a break. Emotionally, we are great- enjoying eachother and appreciating life to the fullest. We are putting Power Properties motto to the test, "Empower to Live."

Tribal News:
      Having traveled through Indian Lands, we are adopting these "community" positions:

• Bobby- CHIEF- He is truly the chief, always navigating the direction and safety of the tribe
• Torula- MEDICINE WOMAN- Takes care of our bellies and our symptoms with her great cooking and herbal knowledge.
• Nick- SCOUT- Always willing to go ahead and look over the horizon
• Alinda- SQUAWL- Always riding in the back of the crowd, slow but steady, provides the coordination of the trip
• Rebel- OUR SACAJEWEA- The glue, she is everyone's everything and has assisted with every task along the way

Final thought for this issue:

"FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS"

More to come at a longer stop!

Missing you all,
Fondly,
Alinda and the gang

      WeCycle now has their own email address, drop us a line anytime at wecycleamerica@freespiritadventures.com . We would love to hear from you!

      Thanks again everyone for all your support and prayers as we continue on our adventure!

That's all for now. Keep Pedaling!

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