A Climate Ride to Remember

110 miles. The first picture tells the story of the day. On the shoulder of US-70. Almost flat; almost straight; almost (apparently) unused land.

Just visible, with magnification, a large wind farm. Very appropriate.

Then coming into Portales, near Clovis, a reminder that there is, or was, grain produced in the region.

Reviewing my ride animation helps me realize that more is going on than meets the eye from the road. Takes some finding though!

Catch Up on Climate Breadcrumbs

Over the past several days we have passed through a lot of semi-arid desert, but also some lovely, mainly mountainous, countryside. Mountains make for tired cyclists, so my plan to do daily Climate Breadcrumb posts has slipped away. Here are a few of the headlines of topics that were on the agenda.

The common theme is the preciousness and scarcity of water, and the effects of drought and over-use (especially agriculture) amplified by climate change.

Catch up on the series here: https://bells.live/climate-breadcrumbs/

#ccan #rockspringucc #climateride #curealz #solarvillageproject #pactour

This may turn out to be the best day of the tour. Another day in the New Mexico countryside from Ruidoso in the mountains to Roswell in the high plains.

Yes, it’s that Roswell–just enough time to visit the Alien Museum!

Overall a descent of over 4,000 feet, with a favorable wind, and a relatively short 98 miles.

#ccan #rockspringucc #climateride #curealz #solarvillageproject #pactour

Day 9 of “A Climate Ride to Remember,” riding within New Mexico from Socorro to Ruidoso which sits at an elevation of about 7,000 feet.

Today’s journey was about 105 miles with a fair bit of climbing toward the end.

During the day, a sombre moment, as we took a rest stop at the “Trinity” site – the first nuclear test site.

Scenic views near Ruidoso talk of a 2912 fire. And an earlier fire, produced the real Smokey the Bear.

My “climate breadcrumb” trail will re-appear when I have a slightly easier day and stop having punctures that need to be fixed!

#ccan #rockspringucc #climateride #curealz #solarvillageproject #pactour

The longest day of the tour; 154 miles from Springerville, Arizona, to Socorro, New Mexico.

Now in the mountains and high plains; excessive heat is past, but it is still desert, dry. Hundreds of miles of open land, with many ranches, but I can only recall seeing half a dozen cattle and a couple of horses. Not many people either!

Just past the one-fourth mark, with about 725 miles covered through the vast expanses of Southern California and Arizona.

The going has got tougher in the past couple of days through the mountains; being 5 years older than the last time I did a similar trip doesn’t help either!

Many thanks indeed to those who have donated to Cure Alzheimer’s and Climate Ride. I would love to respond directly to each and everyone. If you haven’t already donated, consider supporting these important causes!

My “climate breadcrumb” trail will re-appear when I have a slightly easier day. Meanwhile, you can catch up with the trail so far: