Raton NM to Taos NM
6-28-14
Day 39
What a difference a day makes. Yesterday’s cycling conditions so far the worst day we have had on this tour was superseded by a great day of riding.
The crew needed a good day after the demoralizing bating we
received Friday. A few of those miserable days in a row will take its toll.
Our route has been following part of Santa Fe wagon trail that
connected Missouri and Santa Fe New Mexico in the early 1800’s. It is incredible to think these wagon trains sometimes
numbering 1000 wagons made their way west without anything. They had to find
water and food plus blaze the newly formed trail. This has been called America’s
first highway. Our three person wagon train
thinks it is tough when we cannot find a convenience store for 60 miles. I wonder how far apart the convenience stores
were back in 1821.
After leaving Raton the next town we came upon was Cimarron.
Ted Turner’s 591,000 acre ranch is west of Raton around Cimarron and extends to
Taos. Yes I did say 591,000 acres that is over 900 square miles. That is just a little smaller than Rhode
Island. I believe he is the second largest private land owner in the US.
The welcome sign
outside of town says “Cimarron where the Plains meet the Rockies”. And yes this is where our next round of climbing will start.
Just west of town was Cimarron Canyon a beautiful place of huge rock
cliffs and the beginning of our 45 mile climb to Flechado Pass at 9101 feet
above sea level.
After that climb we were treated to a 20 mile downhill to
Taos. What a nice way to end a day
coasting for twenty miles when your legs are tired. Too bad this does not happen every day
Taos is a beautiful artsy fartsy town of less than 6000
people. In the center of town is the La
Fonda de Taos Hotel where we stayed. Inside the hotel is the Mosaic restaurant
owned by Chef George Bartel who prepared the best meal for us we have had
yet. Look out Bobby Flay this guy can
cook. Time for a throw down.
95 Miles
Weather 87 degrees Sun
51 45 Feet of Climbing
No comments:
Post a Comment