March 23: Kingston to Las Cruces, NM

Started the day with a 9 mile downhill after leaving the Lodge.

Stopped part way down at the Hillsboro Cafe, where several locals were enjoying Saturday breakfast.

Our route 152, which we had followed most of yesterday, ended at I-25, where we turned south and east toward Las Cruces on old US 85, with a view of Caballo Lake. The water level is way down, due to less snow in Colorado. This has affected the farms further south, which now must rely more on well water.

Maybe this convenience store was trying to show the water problem?

Between the small towns of Arrey and Derry along the route, I stopped to chat with 2 farmers, asking about crops we were seeing beside the road. In addition to the chilies that the region is known for (not yet planted, harvested in September), they grow alfalfa and onions, as well as corn and cotton. Also saw lots of pecan trees (more tomorrow), also not blooming.

Alfalfa to the right, preparing for chilies to the left.

Onions in the foreground, pecan trees behind.

The wind was definitely a factor: at times wonderfully from behind, other times a crosswind that knocked us around. Check out the flag! (supposedly gusts up to 50 mph)

From Caballo Lake south, we were following the Rio Grande River, which sadly is quite dry.

According to the farmers, New Mexico is quite a dairy state, confirmed by this large group of pens for calves.

I was riding with Donna today, and we decided to stop in Hatch for a soda. Hatch is the chili capital of the universe.

We saw a sign for Sparky’s and decided to stop.

Fun place, and we enjoyed a few minutes of the music while we drank our sodas.

At mile 66, Donna had had enough of the wind and joined the sag wagon. The wind nearly knocked her bike off the roof rack, so we had to fit it inside the Subaru. I continued on, helping Pat with a flat 5 miles before town, then enjoying a frozen custard sundae before pedaling into the hotel.

The wind was still so strong, that our dinner was moved inside to the hotel’s breakfast area.

My roommate tonight is Barbara Kautz from Maine. She is a retired maternal child nurse, who previously served in Vietnam as a nurse on a neurosurgical ward. She is rumored to be the loudest snorer of our group – I have my earplugs ready.

Total 88 miles, average 15.2 mph (thanks to downhill and tailwind)