Day 21 Las Cruces

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Stats
Daily mileage 122 Ride time 7hr 33min
Avg speed 16.05mph Total mileage 1258

Breakfast was served at McDonalds nice and early so I checked out my room at the first sign of light and relaxed with my coffee and egg McMuffin. There was not a cloud in the sky but the air was extremely cold. I approached the interstate and, to my joy, saw no sign prohibiting bicycles.

The road was quiet and the wind was belting in my ear tell me this was going to be a good day. I looked around and admired the flags, trees and bushes being blown in the direction I was heading. The road condition was good and I soon crossed the continental divide. This felt quite a milestone for me. The continental divide is the point in the states that when on the East side, all the Rivers run towards the Pacific Coast and when on the West side, the water runs towards the Atlantic Ocean.

I saw my first Rattle Snake but fortunately it had been flattened by a vehicle! About 10 miles after that I noticed a vehicle had pulled over into the hard shoulder. I initially thought it was the police and I was mentally preparing a cock and bull story about not knowing the cycling laws. Instead, it was this family who said to me “Are you that guy cycling across the states”. I replied “yes, how did you know”. They had heard it over the radio but obviously got me mixed up with someone else. In an amazing moment of generosity, they gave me 40 bucks. I thanked them profusely and was so grateful.

The original plan was to exit the freeway after 25 miles but that meant going perpendicular to the wind. I decided to stick on the freeway for another 31 miles as the riding was so much fun. The miles ticked by like the second hand on a watch. I reached Deming and had another McDonalds but this time it was big burger and fries. I made a decision to continue along the freeway but for the next 35 miles I had the opportunity to cycle on a quiet road beside it.
I devoured the burger and returned to my bike. I noticed the front wheel was looking flat. I really could not be arsed to change a tyre so I went to a gas station and put some more air in it. It was only a slow puncture after all.

I hadn’t been paying attention to my speedo but I had already done 100 miles and the motels were still another 20 miles away. I felt tired all of a sudden and wanted to call it a day. Eventually, I reached my destination and checked into the first motel I saw. It was only 30 bucks so I took it. I changed my tyre and spent the evening watching TV.