A Wet Ride to Trinidad

September 11, 2013, Trinidad, Co.  It rained all night at the Philmont Scout Camp. The rain continued to pour down, as we reluctantly suited up for what promised to be a soggy ride. This was something I had not planned on. Southwest storm were supposed to blow in for an hour or so then disappear. But this sucker was lingering with no signs of let-up.  Four miles north of the Scout Camp we stopped for a quick visit at the St. James Hotel, a marvelously restored old western hotel that among other celebrities hosted Wyatt Earp. They even had his bar tab framed on the wall. We did not pay it.

We pulled out of Cimarron at about 9 am, and were very disheartened to see the road sign showing that Raton lay 42 miles to the north. That was our lunch spot.  It was going to be a long pull.

 The rain continued without let up. Low-hanging clouds obscured the landscape so all we saw was a flat plain disappearing into mist. About the only highlight of the morning ride was the sighting of a large herd of buffalo. The rain quickly penetrated our clothes. We got cold. I  wore a wool pullover under my cycling jersey, a baseball camp under my helmet, leggings for my bike shorts, and shoe covers. Everything got wet. The only way to stay warm was to pedal. And pedal we did, ceaselessly into the mist on a reasonably flat road that disappeared into the clouds. At one point, Steve suggested we stop at the first structure that had a roof, so we could at least rest out of the rain. But there were no buildings for 40 miles, not even a tree, not a house, though we did splash by a tavern in the middle of nowhere. We did not stop, too early for a beer, not today. Even though the air temperature was about 60 degrees, I was very cold. I marveled how I could be so warm and dry on the previous days, and freezing on the next. I also wondered why I was doing this.

Shortly past noon we reached Raton. We had somehow powered 46 miles in a downpour in about 4 hours. We staggered into a diner, leaving puddles of water in the path to our table. Hot coffee quickly stopped the shivers. After a hearty lunch, it was with great regret that we set out again. We were more than halfway, but now had to cross 7,800-foot Raton Pass, a 1,200 foot climb from our present position. The other bad news was that we had to ride on Interstate 25. The quiet I-25 of the previous days was now replaced by a roaring river of semi-trucks and other big rigs, each sending up a giant spray that added to our misery. Slowly, we inched up the pass, speed slowing to about 6 miles per hour. I’m sure Russ could have moved faster, and Steve, too, given their light-weight carbon-fiber bikes, while I labored away in low gear in my steel-framed Bianchi. My bike’s extra weight was now making a big difference.

 

We reached the summit at 2:50 pm, and were somewhat surprised that the support truck was not there, as noted on our instructions. The next challenge lay ahead, a 15 miles descent that promised to send us flying downhill at record speeds, which was not a real good idea given the condition of the shoulder and general danger of flying out of control. Russ went ahead, while Steve and I went down slowly, braking constantly to keep our speeds at between 13 and 18 miles per hour. As we entered Colorado, the clouds parted and the sun finally came out, chasing out the last chill in my core. I found the descent rather nerve-wracking, given the constant thunder of trucks and cars barreling down the highway. But we got down, and by 4 pm, we had reached  Trinidad State Junior College in Trinidad, Co.

 

We are bivouacked in college gym, our wet clothes festooning the upper rails of gym’s seating area. We will sleep, or attempt to sleep, on the hard wooden bench grandstands. Rumor has it that the woman’s volleyball begins practice at 5:30 in the morning. I desperately need to get some sleep. I am so tired.

Today’s Stats: Flat Tires: 1 (in the morning before I started), now have 3 for the trip. Roadkill: Entrails of unidentified animal, 1 rabbit, 1 mountain beaver or skunk (sighting is under review, but given the conditions at the time it is likely to be unresolved). Miles: 71. Average Speed 12.8. Max speed 30.6.