Not much to report today, just trying to make some miles to meet up with our friends and riding
companions in San Antonio and Houston, TX. We got a 6:30 a.m. start to avoid the late afternoon heat, forecast to be in the high 90's along our route. The early morning ride was beautiful for the first 150 miles, cool breezes and clear skies, although in our haste to depart we neglected to put a couple of strips of painters masking tape across the top of our helmet face plates to block the morning sun for the first few hours. Our full-face modular helmets are great and we love them, especially in the rain, but they don't have sun visors and you can only block the rising sun with your hand for so long!
As the day wore on the miles rolled under our feet the temperature began to rise and by noon it was 97 degrees. I'm not saying it was hot but I think I saw a lizard running on its tip toes to keep its tender belly off the blazing hot sand.
As we entered New Mexico, I was struck by the number of Trading Posts offering every variety of Made in China genuine New Mexico artifacts. I don't think they really want to trade any more. I tried to trade Bill for an exquisite pair of beaded moccasins--no deal.
Still having difficulty passing up a Harley-Davidson dealership on the road we stopped at Barnetts HD in Las Cruces, NM, where a few California dollars were "traded" for necessary trinkets. We then repeated the trading ceremony at Barnett's other store, reportedly the world's largest dealership, in El Paso, TX. You know, the northern suburb of Juarez, Mexico. Fortunately, they still accept American dollars there. It's a good thing, because we didn't have any pasoes.
As the afternoon wore on, the superheated desert winds picked up in the form of a strong headwind. At our cruising speed of 85 MPH, just above the posted speed limit of 80 MPH in Texas, the 15 MPH headwind was like driving into a 100 MPH wind. It was also devastating to our gas mileage. Some of the guys put 4.7 gallons of gas into their 5 gallon gas tanks when refueling. That's cutting it too close. I respect and appreciate the Texas 80 MPH speed limit, but personally, I think that anyone who chooses to drive across Texas of their own free will should be allowed to drive just as fast as they can.
We lost two hours on the clock today with time changes and pulled into Fort Stockton about 8:00 p.m. We walked across the street to enjoy dinner at K-Bob's BBQ only to find that they had closed two minutes prior to repair their air broken conditioner. So, we opted for Mexican food down the street were we were introduced to the Beerita, a Margarita with a full bottle of beer inserted into it upside down. It must be consumed with a straw. If you try to remove the full beer bottle you will be wearing its contents for the remainder of the evening. We haven't tried one yet, but I'll bet we will. Tomorrow, a short 320 mile commute to San Antonio, TX. We should be there by 1200 noon. Until then, adios amigos!
No comments:
Post a Comment