Today we rode from Chaco Trading Post (GDMBR Chaco Alternate), New Mexico, US to Joe Skeen Campground (25km after Sargents), New Mexico, US. Sunny weather all day. Road conditions included paved roads only. Highlights of the day include making mileage, visiting Grants, and our evening campground.
Riding statistics: on Wednesday September 7, 2022, the 38th day on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route route, it took 11:26h (08:00h moving time), between 07:26 and 18:53, to cover 148 km (92 miles), including 950 m (3117 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 19 km/h (11 mph). During today's ride the average temperature was 30 °C (90 °F) with a minimum of 13 °C (56 °F) and a maximum of 40 °C (110 °F).
Totals: So far, it took 11 days, 5 hours, 58 minutes and 21 seconds of cycling time to cover 3941 km (2449 miles), including 46916 m (153931 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 14.9 km/h (9.3 mph).
Leaving the Chaco Trading Post
I had not the best night of sleep. Because of the warm (we were expecting to be cold during the night), it took long before I fell sleep. At 1:20am I got awake again, I herd some animal scratching anf it sounded it came from the direction of my bike. I slowly opened my tent a bit, and used my head lamp to shine towards my bike. I saw several mice rats run away (brown, and I think about 15cm long). I had a few food items left at my bike, so I got up and got them inside my tent. Unfortunately the sound continued more for a while but I could not see them anymore. The next more we discovered Anna had also some bars on her bike, and one was opened and eaten from by a small animal. For today we have set our alarm clocks to 6am. That way we had an hour to get up and make everything ready to leave. At 7am the store would open so we could buy some last minutes breakfast snacks, and after that we got on our way. Tom left first, before the shop opened. We left after having bought (and eaten some snacks), and Jack & Max left after us. From 7am onwards it was already crowded at the Trading Post. School busses with employees of the Solar power plants being built (gigantic ones at both sides of the road) came into the Trading Post for their breakfast and lunch shopping. Then the bus continued to the actual Solar plants. We had a chat with some of the guys and some warned for the roads and traffic between here and Grants (looking back there was no issue at all, every driver nicely made way).
Grants
We had to ride about 110km to Grants, but since it was a paved road it did not took too long. At 1:30pm we were in Grants. We first stopped at a truckstop to make some decisions (food, sleeping, route, etc.). Of course while enjoying an iced coffee and a huge soda. From Grants we have two options as well, paved and non-paved. Again with a warning for the non-paved road about being impassable when wet. So, that might be a reason the choose for the paved road. Another is that we got messages from people in front of us that took either option, and there were complaints about traffic and non-existing shoulder on the paved road, and complaints about the many big thorns on the non-paved (some people even more than 20 thorns in the tire). Some thorns are not too bad if you ride tubeless tires (with sealant), but that many can eventually cause delays. That, combined with rain risks, we decided to go for the alternate (paved) route. And, the alternate route had a campground 25km after Grants, perfect for a late afternoon / early evening ride. After our decision we went to the post office to pick up my tire. I will not mount it, but keep it with me s a spare (just for my state of mind). After that we went to a Subway for a late lunch / early dinner (wraps & sodas). Finally, we went to the Wallmart for groceries. We needed food for 3 days, and as much water as we can carry. We also bought reflective ‘vests’ because of the remark o=about traffic on the alternate route. This way we were extra good visible. After around 5pm we were ready to start another part of our ride.
Joe Skeen Campground
We left Grants and after crossing a railroad (again, with many very long trains passing), and crossing the Interstate I40 to Albuquerque, we come back into nature. Beautiful canyons, and a winding road. We felt our legs, but all went well, and we arrived around 7pm at the campground. It was in ‘El Maipais Natural Monument’. The visitor center was already closed, but we did not really needed to visit it. The campground at several camping spots, all had their own pavilion with BBQ and picnic table. We pitched our tent in one of the pavilions, and put everything in our tents. After some snacking and relaxing it was time to go to sleep.
Gallery
