Day 44: Carballo to Mimbres

March 30, 2025

Over Emory Pass

Our campground. We used the group pavilion, which was great for cooking as it blocked the wind.

This is the 1.5 mile dirt road we took yesterday to the campground. I misunderstood directions and took it out of camp. I could have avoided it if I had followed the route. It also cost me an extra 2 miles.

Emory Pass goes through the mountains in the distance.

In Hillsboro just before the start of the climb.

Many miles of downhill. It would have been more fun if not so windy and gusty.

I went to bed about 9:30 and woke at a little before my 5:30 alarm. I woke up early because I had to help put out breakfast. I pI acked my tent and was helping put things out at 6:30. JW was already there and had water boiling and half the stuff out. BD offered to clean up breakfast so we could get an early start and avoid the winds. I ate oatmeal and grabbed some fruit and bars for the road. I decided not to make a sandwich.

BD planned to meet us at Hillsboro (mile 25) and Kingston (mile 35). We could then decide if it was too windy to do the pass. I looked at the weather forecast and was pretty confident I could get to the summit by noon, before the winds started getting bad. So, I planned to do the whole ride. I put my food in the van to pick up at mile 25. I left at 7:42. Unfortunately, I misunderstood the directions at the map meeting and went back the dirt road we came in on. I realized too late, so just kept going. It cost me 2 miles and a sprint to avoid a pack of dogs. Actually, they could have gotten me but just seemed to be playing.

It was cold to start out so I wore arm and leg warmers, a long sleeve jersey, my vest, heavy wool socks, and both pairs of gloves. I warmed up after about 5 miles and stopped and took off the arm warmers and heavy gloves. I think at about mile 20 I took of the leg warmers and ate a kind bar. At the van I put on sun screen, ate a banana and clementine. Right after that the 16 mile/3000 feet of elevation gain climb up Emory pass began. The wind was light, but I didn't have my best legs. I tried to keep it about 125 watts. The climb was very steady and got steeper as it progressed. I stopped 6 miles into the climb and ate a cliff bar and 2 miles later and ate a Goo because I felt hungry. I stopped at the van at mile 10 of the climb and got another goo. I stopped again, I think at about mile 12, to take picture and ate another Goo. I then finished the climb. As time progressed there was more wind. However, the route had lots of curves and switchbacks so the wind was a factor only part of the time. I finished the climb at about 12:20. It took including stops, about 2:12. My legs were definitely tired. At the top I rode to the Summit Overview, which was worthwhile and not to much extra climbing.

The downhill would have been fun, but the winds were strong (I guess 20 mph) and somewhat gusty. The definitely slowed me down. I don't think my max speed was over 34 and was often in the 20s. The road was twisty and there was a little loose gravel, so I was careful on the tight turns.

The last 10 miles of the ride were almost all downhill except there were 3 climbs that each gained about 200 feet (according to my Karoo). They were quite hard because my legs felt like rubber (because the climb was hard and they cooled off on the descent) and wind was a factor. The last climb before the campground was especially wind-affected. I got to the campground about 1:30. Only SR was there before me. BW and JE got there soon after. we waited for the van until about 3:00. I had an orange creamsicle, a root beer, and some microwave Mac and Cheese. I had the latter because it was cold and I wanted something warm.

We went out to dinner this evening and I got pizza. I ate a whole 12" pizza myself. I got pepperoni and Chile peppers. It was quite nice. JF's brother surprised him by meeting him on the slope. Amazingly, JF dropped his iPhone and his brother found it. What a luck! He also brought some very good oatmeal raisin cookies and banana bread.

Tomorrow is a short day (19 miles), but has 1800 feet of elevation gain. once again, wind will be a factor in the morning. We are spending a rest day in Silver City at a KOA. It is supposed to be very windy so I reserved a primitive cottage for both nights.

My son, Ethan, will join the day after the rest day and ride the next 4 days. I am really looking forward to that, though there are some of the longest days of the trip during that period. There are only 13 more days of riding left. I can begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It looks like wind will be our enemy for the next few days. I sure hope it calms down soon.

Today's ride: 61 miles (98 km)
Total: 2,260 miles (3,637 km)

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