Tour Divide Blog 2008

Hi this is Alan, Tour Divide Racer # 5. Its 20 after 9 on Wednesday evening, the 2nd of July. I’m in Abiquiu at the Abiquiu Inn. I’m with Dominik and Leighton. He caught us up. We sorta had a short day, a very short day, a 12 o’clock finish. I’ve had three meals. A lot of water and I’m ready to go. The strategy is to leave early, get over the last big hill, rest up in Cuba for a little bit then head out in the cool of the evening into the desert night. Today was easy about 58 miles to year. Yesterday was tough over Brazos Ridge, thunder and lightening. I actually got off my bike and lay on the ground at one point. Maybe I was overreacting but I thought I could feel the air tingling. Prior to that we met the Webe family who seemed to be really happy to meet us. They took our photo, gave us a few snacks. I think we made their week and they made my day. Its good to meet people who are interested. Last night we camped at the Hopewell Lake Campground. They were good to us. They gave us some coke when we got there. So its all good stuff.. I had dinner with John Nobile who is leading the Great Divide race. He is nearly on record breaking schedule but needs to really go for it now to match JP’s time. He is planning to get up at 2, I think. The film guy from Britain, Gerald, is here to. So it was a bit party tonight in the restaurant. All good. Anyway, talk to you from Cuba or Grants, somewhere down the road. (recorder time: 2008-07-02 22:26:51 EST)

Hello this is Dominik Scherer again calling from Abiquiu, NM. I just found out that my rear wheel is decapitated. The rim is cracked pretty badly. I’m in dire need of a rear wheel. The problem is I tried to call all of the bike shops in the area. There was just one which number was OK. They didn’t have anything in Santa Fe. If anyone on the route, has something for me, feel free to reach me here in Abiquiu in the Abiquiu Inn, the 505-685-4378. Otherwise, I’m just trying to ride tomorrow morning over the hills. Just hope that the rim that holds up. Just hoping that the bike holds up because the body feels good and the mind is set for the Mexican Border. So let’s hope that the wheel holds up. I’m trying to be light on my rear wheel to not give it too much stress. Hope that God will help and the whole things going to hold up. That is the situation on my bike. I just wanted to let you people know. You guys out there be safe. Message back home: (rest of message in german) (recorder time: 2008-07-02 18:21:58 EST)

Hello this is Dominik Scherer, # 13 calling in. I won’t say Racer # 13 anymore. Alan and me have switched to touring mode from that fresh on. So # 13 calling from Abiquiu on Wednesday, 2nd of July, its 2 o’clock in the afternoon. We arrived just 2 hours or something ago. We had some very, very delicious lunch here in Abiquiu Inn. We are going to spend the rest of the day here in Abiquiu. Doing some groceries and getting proper rest before we head out for the last big climb of the whole tour. Resting up, getting stocked up, getting fueled up. So we gonna last the few days. I hope everyone out there is good. Matthew is going to be finished maybe today, maybe tomorrow. I don’t know. Man this guy is fast. That is for sure. All the rest is with us, not far behind us. Leighton and Adrian, you are doing really, really good boys. Hangin’ in there. Maybe Leighton can catch up. Who knows.. Maybe we meet out there in the dester. It would be really cool to ride the last few miles with you Leighton. All the others be good, be safe. Love to all my family and friends at home, back in Europe. You are giving me so much support and it helps me so much. I really appreciate that. Love, Dominik. Bye. (recorder time: 2008-07-02 15:14:01 EST)

Hi this is Adrian Stingacui calling in from Horca, CO, July 2nd, 6:42 am. Feel really really happy. Yesterday was a really good day. Got caught in a really good size thunderstorm just after coming over Indiana Pass at around 11,000 feet. I'm so happy to be alive. Really great. Emotions out here are really amplified. Its like - I'm laughing hysterically while crying tears of joy at the same time. I'm just really happy. Thank you God, thank you Jesus, thank you Buddha, thank you Krishna, thank you Allah, thank you everybody. Thank you even to the mosquitoes who help me climb a little faster on the uphills. See how far I can get in today. Try to put in another 100 miles, 130 miles maybe. Try to get to Abiquiu, NM. Still have a long way to go at least the names are starting to sound Mexican. Still in CO. Passed through Del Norte yesterday, Platoro, Poncho Springs the day before. Really looking forward to getting into New Mexico and the Mexican Border. Last night I stayed in Conejos campground about 10 miles short of Horca. Slept on a picnic bench. Got up at 5 o’clock in the morning and started riding out in 37 degree weather. Nothing like putting all of your layers on and still have numb fingers and toes while snot icicles are hanging from you nose. (recorder time: 2008-07-02 07:43:42 EST)