March 24: Las Cruces, NM to El Paso, TX

I have been thinking about this day for several months, the day we would bike into El Paso. When I signed up for this tour, I noted that we would be in El Paso for my 65th birthday (tomorrow). I asked permission to deviate from the tour cue sheet, arranged for personal sag support, and studied the map.

The ride today was in memory of my parents Hank and ‘Tommy’ Morse and in honor of my bike friend Don K.

It was 35 degrees when we left Las Cruces this morning, with a southeast wind (we were headed southeast). I quickly diverted to Old Mesilla for a brief stop, encountering this Palm Sunday procession from the local Catholic Church.

There was much more to see in the Plaza, but I needed to stick to a schedule. I rode with the group until mile 30, past these wineries and through this canopy of pecan trees.

Sadly, again crossed the dry Rio Grande.

While the group continued south, I turned east, intending to climb over the Transmountain Road. Construction was underway, but I ignored the No Bicycles sign and kept on riding, up to 5,280 feet.

Shortly after cresting the mountain, I met up with Bertha and Ceci, who had had to take a detour trip downhill in search of a restroom.

After hugs, I continued downhill and warmed up in their car while eating lunch. Then it was on to the cemetery, to visit with Mom and Dad. I’m not sure when, if ever, I’ll be back in El Paso, so this visit was especially bittersweet. It has been just over a year since we closed up the house; and Mom has been gone for 15 months.

I wandered through another construction zone and pedaled to our hotel for tonight, Comfort Inn on Yarbrough. Last few miles, I knew I was losing air, but made it, then had to change the rear tire and tube – made it almost 1,000 miles before my first flat tire.

Quick shower then delightful birthday dinner with my ‘care sisters’ – great ladies!

Total 68 miles, average 10.9 mph.. Two miles more than the cue sheet route, with the mountain climb on my route, but not theirs.