Daily Diary 11: Stafford to Lordsburg NM - 77 miles and 2600 ft climbing

Last day in the Arizona desert and it was a good one. After a good big breakfast at a diner next to my motel, I set off a little before eight. Almost no breeze and overcast it was a nice day for riding. About 10 miles outside of town I ran into a guy from yesterday who is from Alaska and is biking San Diego to Austin. Tony is about my age and does quite a bit of riding and racing. He owns a bike shop in Palmer Alaska. We ended up riding most of the day together, chatting and enjoying having someone to talk to. Stopped off in Duncan for a nice meal, only services along the route today , and continued along fairly empty roads. Most of the shoulder was great, and we had a little bit of a crosswind and sometimes a tailwind which is great. The climbs were gradual and very manageable and the downhills were fast and fun. We entered New Mexico along the way and the roads were fantastic. We ended in Lordsburg which really doesn’t have a lot going on but we found an old dusty bar to throw back a few beers before Tony caught a greyhound to Las Cruces to connect with his buddy. All in all a great day. Pushed hard, probably wrote a little faster than normal so I’m sure my legs will feel it tomorrow!