Week 2- Tucson Az to Ft. Davis Tx

Hello Friends and Family,

Week 2 of my Cross Country Bicycle Trip is completed and after 1,053 miles we are resting in Ft. Davis , Texas. This week was an eight day week as we needed to go an extra day so our rest day hotel had food and laundry. Going forward, my blog will post every Monday. And Thank You, as I had over 300 people read my blog last week. This support is what motivates me to keep on pedaling.

Day 8 -Tucson to Benson (66.95 Miles,3,855 Ft. Elevation, 5 hrs 15 min in seat) Today was highlighted by a gorgeous eight mile winding loop through the Saguaro National Park. The cactus , with the mountains as a backdrop provided pure natural beauty. The highlight of the day was meeting my favorite people on the trip to date. They are the Hula Hoop Ladies of Western North Carolina. In 2023, they finished hula hooping in front of all 50 state capitals. Beginning in 2024, they are starting to hula hoop in every National Park.

Day 8 Extra - Today March 10th, is my late mother’s birthday. I was thinking of her throughout the day, as she just loved the beauty provided by Mother Nature. On my birthday, she always made me my favorite cake, Boston Cream Pie. That evening , at a small cafe in Benson Az, the desert special was Boston Cream Pie, so I had to indulge.

Day 9 - Benson Az to Bisbee Az.(49.99 Miles 3,333 Ft. Elevation 4 hrs 17 min in seat)

A day to remember , as we crossed the Continental Divide after climbing six miles up Mule Mountain. Before the Mountain, I visited Tombstone AZ saw the Earp brothers take down there nemesis. I ran into several Cincinnati families in Tombstone taking a break from Reds baseball in Goodyear. Our ride finished with a lunch In Bisbee , AZ . Bisbee is my favorite town so far. A former copper mining town has become combination of mountains, eclectic stores, friendly laid back people and a somewhat European vibe resulting in a neat city to visit.

Day 10 - Bisbee Az to Portal AZ by way of New Mexico. (84.33 Miles 2011 Ft. Elevation 5 hrs. 5m in Seat.) Today we crossed mostly barren Arizona Desert on our way to New Mexico ( two states down, six to go) We did pass a monument to Geronimo’s Last Stand and we stayed on the Arizona , New Mexico border at a small lodge that mainly caters to bird watchers during migratory season.

Day 11- Portal Az to Columbus NM (100 Miles. 1,926 ft. Elevation 5hrs 32 min in seat) For a bicyclist, today’s ride was the equivalent to a no hitter for a pitcher in baseball. For nearly the entire 100 miles, we had a 15 mph tailwind at our back and we sailed into Columbus NM. I averaged a speed of 18 mph for the entire day and that is a personal best for me.

Day 12 - Columbus NM to El Paso Tx -(72 Miles. 823 ft. Elevation 4hr 47 min in seat) A windy day bicycling across the boot heel of New Mexico into Texas (3 states down and 5 to go) Our group has a new mascot, Floririta the Lost Aliigator who wants to get back to Florida. She biked with me across the Rio Grande into Texas.

Day 13 -El Paso Tx to Fabens Tx (39 Miles , 915 ft Elevation, 3 hr 46 min in seat)

A roll and recovery day turned into a tough day as we had 25 mph headwinds.The highlight of the day was biking down Cincinnati Avenue in El Paso. A little thought of home keeps the spirits up.

Day 14 -Fabens Tx to Van Horn Tx (100 Miles, 2047 ft. Elevation, 8 hours in seat.) A long day of bicycling through West Texas scrub land. The abandoned building that we passed along the way says it all.

Day 15 - Van Horn, Tx to Ft. Davis Tx (79 miles, 2211 ft Elevation 6 hours in seat) A gorgeous ride through the mountains near Mt. Livermore today. The road up the mountain has been one of our most scenic rides so far.

Please excuse any typos as I have limited internet and a iPhone to type on. Happy St Patricks Day - Peace JimW