Gar's #8

Taos - Clovis, New Mexico - Day 7

The Taos hospitality continued until our departure, with a fantastic breakfast of pankakes, sausages and eggs, as well as strawberry smoothie and blackberries. Bloody fantatstic. An early departure from the local church, and we're on our way past mount wheeler... Another climb to 9,500 and then it was all downhill.

Unfortunately for us, a snow blizzard had set in, and in order to ensure that all vehicles crossed the peak and got to the next valley before a whiteout...it was back in the camper.

This really pissed Ricky Bobby Belcher off, to the point that he actually swore, and unfortunately for me, when he does get peeved, he turns into the hulk...and just wants to go fast... Too fast for me. After the initial 15 miles or so, the strong winds took affect, and slowed my progress, meaning Rich blew ahead, the only thing kicking the legs into life - being chased by various sets of dogs as we pass through deserted villages. The last mile of the leg, a strong gust brought me to a standstill, and I toppled over 'a la traffic lights' style, unable to get my cleats out in time, onto the hard shoulder.

That seemed to have a similar effect on me as the mornings frustration on the Belcher, and we both 'got on the bang' for the next 20 miler. An interstate and crosswind Canyon later, we were back on, but with time against us, tactics change, and it is literally a case of 15mile time trailing for the reminder of the day. By now, we'd dropped to an altitude of about 5,000ft, and although not as high as previous peaks, the increased effort from all the guys starts to take it's toll, with chests getting tight, wheezy coughs becoming evident. Bring on the day when we're back at sea level...or anything else under the height of Snowdon.

The afternoon turned out to be as pleasurable a stint as we've had. The time trial legs of 15miles changed slightly, and as our speeds increased, so did the miles, with the first flying up to 25 miles in an hour dead. The hwyl was good, and supported by a bit of tailwind, the speeds continued of re final two stints of the day. It's all down to Merv's hotpot of supernoodles, mushrooms, luncheon meet and caws Cenarth. Food of champions. It must have been good, cos a bit of karaoke came into play on the last few legs, with 99 problems, crocodile shoes and what's new pussycat !

Andy and Phil finish the day, an on the van with Dyffers, he's disappointed to find no signs of pain on our faces. There's plenty of pain, but I don't think ballsack rash is appropriate for Radio Cymru. There's a long, long, way to go, and although the legs are good, the wind has played havoc on our wrists, shoulders and necks... A good Thai massage is needed. Tomorrow, we cross to Texas, and one of the biggest states in the country will have plenty to offer and challenge us. Three days it will take to cross, and hopefully the torrential rains and tornados of earlier in the week have moved on to Dakota... I hope so, otherwise rich will turn into the hulk again, and I'll have trouble keeping up.

Right, I'm off to find a masseur.