Day 12: Albuquerque to Santa Fe -- 75 miles
The back of Anurang's bike, with a "dead chicken" from the Snow Cap in Seligman, AZ, and a couple of railroad ties to keep him from climbing too fast. Today is Anurang and Brian's last one on the tour; they're flying back from Santa Fe.
Don Norvelle readies himself for the legendary La Bajada climb. It's an old road that used to be the route "over the mesa" to Santa Fe. It pre-dates Route 66, having been part of the old Camino Real of Spanish America.
Bob Moore pretending to be friendly with Anurang. Bob won't be driving the van up La Bajada -- it's almost impassable for vehicles. It was never even paved before it was replaced in the late 20's by a more sensible alignment.
The black volcanic escarpment on the right that the riders are heading toward is the mesa with La Bajada (the descent).
And Anurang is leading the riders up the swithchbacks! Leading Anurang are two friendly dogs that followed us from the ranch house at the bottom of the hill.
When the going gets tough, the tough start pushing. Notice the dog that is still tagging along.
Don "Dr Dirt" Norvelle shows how it's done.
Our friendly dog escort bickers over a scrap of Payday candy bar.
A self-portrait with auto-timer at the top of the mesa. By the end, my bike was making noises I'd never heard before.
Another rider comes up the rocky mesa.
Yes, the dogs followed us all the way to the top. Good thing they were friendly.
Vince on the left, after cycling across most of the mesa, but before noticing that his rear tire is flat.
After noticing. I helped by taking this picture.