Bikecapade II - Day 0 (Oct. 3, 2008)

This is the first entry on my new blog, created especially for Bikecapade II. Will try to post daily, assuming I can find internet access.

I am maintaining a photo album on the Kodak Gallery site and will post as many pictures as I can! Here is the URL:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=q0xr8qy.161e7da2&x=0&h=1&y=-t70kx&localeid=en_US

Day O blog:

Bikecapade II is a sequel to a ride I did 20 years ago when I was New Mexico editor at the El Paso Times. Back in October 1988 I rode 800 miles around Southern New Mexico, writing a story each day about the people I met and the places I visited. This 2008 ride will concentrate on Southwestern New Mexico, and will span some of the most isolated areas of the state.

Bikecapade II will take me 700 miles in 8 days around Southwestern New Mexico. I head off Saturday, Oct. 4. The route will stop in Deming, Silver City, Reserve, Datil, Socorro, Capitan and Alamogordo, returning to El Paso Oct. 11. If you want all the details. you can download my route at www.epscene.com/bikecapadeII.pdf

The first two days I will ride without touring gear, thanks to my wife, Cindy, who will meet me in Deming then in Silver City.

I head out Saturday morning at 7. Fred Carpenter, the recumbent Ironman, will accompany me to Columbus. Will probably have lunch there. Fred will head back to El Paso and I will go north to Deming, where I stay the night with Cindy. That should be about 102 miles.

Then Sunday I will ride to Silver City, which is just 52 miles (but the forecast says it will be windy). Should make it by lunch, say goodbye to Cindy then hang out and relax in Silver City.

The next two days probably will be hardest -- nearly 100 miles each day. First to Reserve Monday night, then to Datil (via Quemado and Pie Town!). Stay tuned!