Day 32: Big Miles, Small Blog Post

Tuesday July 20

Cuba, NM to Grants, NM

119.8 miles, 3958 ft climbed, 2166.3 cumulative miles

We decided to make a big push today to do the 120 miles from Cuba to Grants in one day since there were very few services or places to camp in between and the route was all pavement so we estimated we would be able to move more quickly. We were mostly right.

The route was not very scenic. The shoulder of the highway was often being overtaken by nature like something out of the Walking Dead. We were saddened to see the vast amounts of litter all along the highway for hours and hours - mostly beer and alcohol cans and bottles. It got us to thinking about poverty and racism and representation. And also how many of the drivers whizzing by us may be drunk.

The first 70 miles rolled by quickly but then the winds picked up and pushed us around like a schoolyard bully for hours. Our pace decreased and there were dark storms and lightning all around us on the horizon so we figured it was only a matter of time before we’d be caught in it. 

We arranged to spend the night at Lava Flow Hostel in Grants, which was recommended by Evan, another southbound cyclist we’d met in Cuba. We finally got to Grants after dark and the streets were wet with puddles but rain was no longer falling. We had somehow escaped rain all day. Locals told us there had been a wild downpour just before we’d gotten to town. Lucky kids we are.

Evan was staying in the same cottage as us and we ended up staying up far too late chatting with him but it was fun and nice to unwind and laugh after two such big tough days in a row. Tomorrow we head toward the famed Pie Town! 

Published July 22, 2021