END - Chama, NM
MILES - 180
Like baseball players, bikers have superstitions and rituals. They come in various forms, and I've observed that in general, the tenacity to which they are held is in proportion to the miles they have ridden.
Day 12 was an unequaled day for me. Now I can say that about every day, in the most positive way. But Day 12 wasn't just the day I did 402 miles. It was the day of "The Happening". That had shaken me up. As I approached Cimarron, there was an ugly storm cell over the mountains. I couldn't really ascertain whether it was in Cimarron's direction, as the twists and turns kept changing the perspective. But as I got into town I could see that it had pointed the way to Cimarron the whole time. I didn't get the impression that I was sharing the experience of the Magi, following a star. Long before I pulled in to the St. James Hotel I decided that tomorrow would be Day 12+1. My experience with the hotel being closed, and dropping the helmet pretty much solidified that.
So here is Day 12+1 in pictures, beginning with an oil change at David's garage in Cimarron, through Taos, then a storm and snow patches to Chama, elevation 7860 feet.
They had me at guest laundry. At check-in Julio asked me if I came through the storm and I replied as a matter of fact I did. He couldn't reconcile the storm with me leaving Cimmaron, as he was referring to the other one up ahead. Refuge is sparse here and I was delighted to find a place to hole up. It's brisk, and a tent would've been ugly.
No comments:
Post a Comment