Felix, just follow the tire tracks. There is nothing tricky to it, because there is/was so doggone much mud that all you have to do is follow everyone's tracks. Believe me, only fools and GDMBR people travel over Brazos Ridge this time of the year. I know because I did that part of the GDMBR three weeks ago through the snow and mud with a loaded trailer and in gale force winds. So, just follow our tracks. Not only that, but several GDR racers are going to be passing through there within the next day or so. Hook up with them.
Climb back up there (about 15 miles and 2000 vertical feet) and start mosying up toward Brazos Ridge post haste. Everything is clearly marked all the way to Antelope Wells. The only place you would need an odometer is on the main route between Cuba and Grants and on the main route between Grants and NM 117. Take the race-legal paved alternate routes between Cuba and Grants , and again between Grants and NM 117 instead. Everyone else did.
Right now half the meterologists in New Mexico are saying that the monsoon season has started and the other half deny it. Regardless, stay on the pavement through those two sections. I know the New Mexico parts of the GDMBR like the back of my hand. Once you get over Brazos Ridge you are on clearly marked Forest Service Roads and highways all the way to Antelope Wells.
I know for a fact that from Brazos Ridge to Abiquiu it is overwhelming downhill, because I foolishly rode it northbound (uphill). Furthermore, when you consider how quickly the other racers are blowing through there and getting to Abiquiu, then either (a) they suddenly gained superhuman powers, (b) they got a lift from on a UFO, or (c) it is mostly downhill. I would certainly not rule out choices (a) or (b), but the most likely correct answer is (c). There is a good climb up to Hopewell Lake on NM 64. It is 4.8 miles in length on pavement so the grade is not going to be much more than 5%. Once you get passed the campground you have another long downhill run. Get going! You can do it. Forget that cyclometer, and keep following the tire tracks. If your blue dot gets too far off the route, then we will know where you are even if you don't have a clue. It is quite straight forward though.
If you can find Internet access in Chama, then I have quite a few pictures of the route on my web site (www.bikerbobonthegdmbr.com) that you might be able to study in order to familarize yourself with some landmarks. My Picasa Albums are on the left sidebar, and are labeled by landmarks on the GDMBR.
Also, once you get down in altitude and latitude it is not nearly so cold at night. Get your gear dried out and enjoy the rest of the ride! There are less than 700 miles to go!
Follow the tire tracks.
Felix, just follow the tire tracks. There is nothing tricky to it, because there is/was so doggone much mud that all you have to do is follow everyone's tracks. Believe me, only fools and GDMBR people travel over Brazos Ridge this time of the year. I know because I did that part of the GDMBR three weeks ago through the snow and mud with a loaded trailer and in gale force winds. So, just follow our tracks. Not only that, but several GDR racers are going to be passing through there within the next day or so. Hook up with them.
Climb back up there (about 15 miles and 2000 vertical feet) and start mosying up toward Brazos Ridge post haste. Everything is clearly marked all the way to Antelope Wells. The only place you would need an odometer is on the main route between Cuba and Grants and on the main route between Grants and NM 117. Take the race-legal paved alternate routes between Cuba and Grants , and again between Grants and NM 117 instead. Everyone else did.
Right now half the meterologists in New Mexico are saying that the monsoon season has started and the other half deny it. Regardless, stay on the pavement through those two sections. I know the New Mexico parts of the GDMBR like the back of my hand. Once you get over Brazos Ridge you are on clearly marked Forest Service Roads and highways all the way to Antelope Wells.
I know for a fact that from Brazos Ridge to Abiquiu it is overwhelming downhill, because I foolishly rode it northbound (uphill). Furthermore, when you consider how quickly the other racers are blowing through there and getting to Abiquiu, then either (a) they suddenly gained superhuman powers, (b) they got a lift from on a UFO, or (c) it is mostly downhill. I would certainly not rule out choices (a) or (b), but the most likely correct answer is (c). There is a good climb up to Hopewell Lake on NM 64. It is 4.8 miles in length on pavement so the grade is not going to be much more than 5%. Once you get passed the campground you have another long downhill run. Get going! You can do it. Forget that cyclometer, and keep following the tire tracks. If your blue dot gets too far off the route, then we will know where you are even if you don't have a clue. It is quite straight forward though.
If you can find Internet access in Chama, then I have quite a few pictures of the route on my web site (www.bikerbobonthegdmbr.com) that you might be able to study in order to familarize yourself with some landmarks. My Picasa Albums are on the left sidebar, and are labeled by landmarks on the GDMBR.
Also, once you get down in altitude and latitude it is not nearly so cold at night. Get your gear dried out and enjoy the rest of the ride! There are less than 700 miles to go!