Las Cruces, NM to El Paso, TX
Woke up to a beautiful sunrise over the mountains southeast of Las Cruces. I was soon on the road, leaving camp at 0740. I rode with Eileen through mile 20, where we stopped at a store in La Mesa for drinks and snacks. Eileen had some business to handle, so I forged ahead on my own. The scenery was pretty boring, except for the pecan orchards. Funny sign in the photograph below. Who would have thought people would go fishing in the pecan orchard? Maybe when they are flooded for irrigation? LOL!
I soon came to the Rio Grande bike path, which I almost missed. I started to cross the river, since I did not see the path, but my GPS alerted me that I was off course. So I circled back, found the path, and pedaled onward. After a while, there were patches of the path that were both flooded and covered with mud. I had no choice but to ride through it. I tried to go around once, but my feet sank in the mud up to the top of my shoes. What a mess! In one puddle, my rear wheel was fish tailing, as underneath the water was a layer of slimy mud. I learned later that three riders in our group fell during this section. The only injuries were to their pride!
After around ten miles, the paved path ended, and the map said to ride the dirt road 0.3 miles to the cross street, and turn left. Well, there was no riding a dirt road, as it was mud, and not ridable. I walked my bike to the crossroad, then waited an eternity to cross the road, as there was an unceasing amount of traffic.
It is my belief that the water and mud was due to the recent storms, causing the Rio Grande to breach its banks. The bike path was situated between the banks and the levee, which is why it was flooded. It would have been nice if the city of El Paso could have put signs at both ends, advising to take a detour.
Speaking of El Paso, we entered Texas just as the bike path started, but there were no "Welcome to Texas" signs, such as those found on the interstates. No photo opportunities!
After arriving at the Quality Inn in El Paso and unloading my bags, I took my bike behind the hotel and hosed it down. There was so much mud caked on my wheels and in my fenders that it is a wonder I could even ride. Then, off to the showers and dinner at a Chinese buffet.
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