It went from 74 degrees, clear and sunny yesterday afternoon to 32 degrees, foggy, with sleet this morning. After a quick bite a block away we pushed off for Alpine and Marathon. I had most of my cold weather gear on and was just barely warm enough with some hills to climb and generate some heat.
Still pretty in the hills despite the weather. We descended to Alpine and stopped at a donut shop to warm up with coffee and sweets. These are the conditions I've been hoping to avoid. Bundled for for the low temps, yet sweating from the exertion. All is good until I stop and am wet in the cold. I dried enough in the donut shop to make another go leaving Alpine. I was questioning my sanity as we left the civilization of Alpine in 32 degree headwinds and fog. Alternately pulling fingers out and balling my fist, I was able to keep my hands from freezing.
Eventually the road curved around to put the north wind somewhat behind us and give us a push while keeping us warmer.
As we descended we ran out from under the fog and it warmed a bit.
Jus before Marathon we ran into "Sam". He was "cranking" (as he put it) a huge load. As we approached I thought it was a motorcycle and sidecar it was so big. He had a loaded Surly Big Dummy (long tail cargo bike) with a 2' X 4' trailer loaded 4' high. He didn't measure his progress in miles but hours. He was 50 hours from his home in Austin, TX. We asked an innocent question about the load and he launched into a diatribe about science/evolution vs creationism. He even cited Darwin as he escalated his case and we stood there wondering what brought that on. We talked him down from the edge but only long enough for us to escape.
The hostel (La Loma Del Chivo) is beyond funky but we are glad to have it.
We rode back to town to eat and only got a block away when Jim had a front flat. Goatheads the most likely culprit.
Dinner at the White Buffalo Bar in the Gage Hotel was a great spot to watch the Superbowl. Congrats Seahawks!
55 miles @ 12.6 mph avg.
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