Day 24 Roswell, New Mexico

Stats
Daily mileage 46.7 Ride time 3hr 18min
Avg speed 14.09 mph Total mileage 1429

I am writing this entry in a happy mood, but I have experienced every emotion today. I woke up this morning not knowing where the day would take me but I had my fingers crossed. I spoke to a different receptionist who confirmed the bike doc had definitely closed down, so I decided to cycle into town and speak to the chamber of commerce. I passed Walmart and decided I had nothing to loose by asking the bike department within the store. However, I was informed it was the mechanics day off. Typical.

I eased into town and noticed some bicycles in a car tyre shop. A bloke called Jimmy overheard me telling one of the mechanics I had broke a spoke. After a brief conversation, he suggested taking my bike to an old guy a few blocks away who builds and sells second hand bikes in his yard! We drove to this mans house and I knocked on the door. Unfortunately, he said he didn’t have the tool I needed and told me the closest bike shop was in Roswell, some 80 miles away. With no rail or coach link I was in trouble.

Jimmy chipped in and said he was actually going in that direction but only to Artesia, some 40 miles short of Roswell. I accepted his offer but made a quick phone call and checked the bike shop existed. I was not about to make the same mistake again! Jimmy was a fantastic bloke and had lived in Carlsbad his entire life and currently works on the oil fields. We shared some stories and before we knew it we were there. I took my stuff of the truck and said goodbye.

I loaded my bike up and noticed I left a bungee strap in the truck and that my front tyre had gone flat again. Thoroughly cheesed off, I had no choice but to get to the bike shop as quick as I could. I pumped up the tyre and hit the road. I felt myself constantly looking at the rear wheel buckling on every revolution and the flat front tyre.

After two and half hours I finally got to my destination and started looking for the bike shop. I asked a local who stated I had to go left and it was about 7 blocks away. I turned left as instructed and asked the next person I saw for more direction. I have learnt that you have to ask at least 3 people and take an average on what they say and I am so glad I did. The second man told me it was literally around the corner, not 7 blocks away!

I collapsed into the bike shop and the relief just lifted of my shoulders. I sat in the chair and watched Steve get to work on my bike. With all my problems sorted I popped into the tourist information for some advice. The ladies there were incredibly helpful with one of them giving me 5 bucks for the adventure. I then check into another cheap motel. I couldn’t pass through Roswell and not visit the UFO museum so I decided I would visit it in the morning.

Today has been an emotional day but I feel as though things are looking up and am ready to get this show back on the road. Before I forget, I must mention about this strange rash I am getting down below. Watch this space!