Sherry's Coast to Coast Bike Ride 2018

3/31/18 Good ride today! We left Marathon at 7:50 this morning and arrived in the small town of Sanderson at 11:25.  The morning was cool at 47 degrees. There was fog as we rode toward Sanderson. It seems strange that there is so much moisture in the air in the mornings when it is so dry here. At mile 13 I saw my first javelina. It was too quick for me to get a photo. I also saw wild turkeys down the road and turkey vultures too. Our first SAG stop was at 20 miles. I filled water and had a few snacks and got on the road to take advantage of the tailwind that had come up. I was going 24 mph but the tailwind slowed down after about 15 miles. The rest of the ride was slightly down hill. When I got into town the rooms weren't ready. Most of the ladies went to get some lunch. Supper will be at 5:30. Shortly after I will call it an early night.  We have a big day tomorrow.....119 miles! Pray for tailwinds please! Happy Easter everyone! Total Miles: 1284 Flats: 3 Ruined Tires:1

3/30/18 Today's ride of 54 miles started with a very cold 37 degrees. we left at 8 to head for Marathon.  I was bundled up good with long pants, toe covers and long fingered gloves. We made it to the first SAG stop just to check in and takeoff again. The only pass through town today was Alpine at 24 miles.  We stopped at the Bed and Breakfast Cafe for cinnamon rolls and coffee. Once we left Alpine the wind started to pick up. It was a headwind. For the next 16 miles the wind was relentless. It was one of those kinds that you just don't fight. You just put your favorite music on your Ipod (mine was Meatloaf's Bat Out of Hell album), put your hands in the drops, tuck your head down and just pedal.  I accepted that it was going to take me twice as long to get in and enjoyed the ride. I was only going about 8 mph. At mile 42 the wind let up some and we had a slight decline into Marathon. The temperature was in the 70's by the time I got to the motel at 12:50. Total Mil

3/29/18 Today is our day off.  I did laundry, cleaned my bike and strolled through the stores. Fort Davis is a unique town.  Older style buildings resembling buildings of the Deadwood Era so maybe late 1800's or early 1900's. Downtown Fort Davis A few of us took a van trip to Marfa, TX.  It was about 20 miles away from Fort Davis.  It is an artsy community with many galleries and large art exhibits. We went to a Andy Warhol The Last Supper exhibit. We went to the museum that had a full room of artifacts and pictures of movies that had been filmed here including "Giant" with James Dean. We then went to the El Paisano Hotel which is where Giant was filmed.  El Pasano Hotel Early supper in Marfa Marfa Court House  Me, Elise, Liz and margaret  Anna and Shelli

3/28/18 We left Van Horn shortly before 8 this morning.  There was moisture in the air from the rain last night. It was 50ish but felt cold.  I put my riding pants and long fingered gloves on. We rode on Interstate 10 for 36 miles. There was heavy traffic and the shoulder was littered with debris. I was lucky not to get a flat.  Some of the other ladies weren't so lucky. We turned on to highway 118 which was a rough chip sealed road.  The vibration was mind numbing. I could not find a good spot to ride on the road. It makes slower riding on these types of roads. This 30 mile section was the hardest part of the ride for me. At mile 47 the SAG van had lunch set up for us. It had warmed up some so I left the pants and gloves with the SAG. I had lunch and took about a 20 minute break and then was back on the road again.  The next 14 miles were the same type of chip seal and a head wind.  I was only going about 8 miles an hour. The wind was swirling between the hills.  At mile 61

3/27/18 Today was a very short 32 miles. I think we are getting some rest for the 91 miles tomorrow :-/ We had breakfast in the motel parking lot and then a map meeting to discuss the route. I left at 8:15 MDT and crossed into CDT right before I got to Van Horn at 11:20.  Our rooms weren't ready yet so we rode our bikes downtown to check things out.  We stopped in at the Hotel El Capitan. It is a neat old hotel.  We sat in the sitting area having a cup of coffee wondering why we weren't staying there. The staff was very welcoming and they had a bar/restaurant onsite. If I ever come through here again I will definitely stay there. Tomorrow is a long day with a good amount of climb.  I hope we have tailwinds again😁 Thank you everyone for the encouraging comments! I love reading them! Total Miles: 1085 Flats: 3 Ruined tires: 1  Breakfast in the Motel parking lot  Map meeting Only SAG stop today  Hotel El Capitan  Wondering why we