Day 12: Safford-Lordsburg, NM

Back on the bike! I'll explain that later. Today was going to be the best ride of the trip. Skies were overcast so it didn't warm up very quickly but increasing westerly winds were predicted and for the most part gave us a boost. The first 20 miles were relatively flat but then we had some rolling terrain with some long gradual upgrades. But we were rewarded with a fast 7 mi downhill from mi 32 and had a Wheel's lunch in Duncan where there were no other options. Our mechanic, Janech had stayed up late yesterday, modifying our wounded biker's handlebar so she might be able to get back on the bike. Now that she has been able to contact her family I can be less obscure and identify her as Karen (Beau) Beauregard. She got back on her bike after lunch to nervously negotiate the remaining 37 mi to Lordsburg. The winds were picking up from the west with predictions of 25-35 mph westerly winds. As we were heading southeasterly we got a boost but also occasional buffeting side winds. The last 2 mi we turned south towards Lordsburg and the winds almost knocked you off the bike. At the church an outdoor 'Wheels' shower was set up. It was invigorating to say the least. The PVC pipe/plastic curtain enclosure kept falling apart in the 'gale force'winds.While I was showering Beau rode into the church as casual as can be. Unfortunately, she has acquired a cold from one of her fellow bikers and is now running a fever that is likely to derail her another day or two but we hope she may be able to resume the quest soon. This am we started out with a lecture on safe riding techniques. No one has escorted bikers across country as long as they have. You may have seen bicycles with tall whips with a bright flag to warn oncoming cars. That was Bob Davenport's concept. Unfortunately he shared the idea with someone else who made a fortune manufacturing them. In the 60's there were only leather bicycling helmets. He thought to go to Canada to buy hockey helmets to protect the teenage boys under his care at that time. Since bright neon yellow jerseys had become available, they are now required on all riders. He retrofitted auto mirrors for his earlier riders but now compact helmet or eyeglass mirrors are available to alert riders of oncoming trafic. After 42 yrs of leading bikers cross country Wheels experienced their first auto related fatality 2 years ago, a grim reminder of the importance of diligent riding practices.