Day 49 came with a cool north wind 10 to 20’s with gusts to 35. My route took me northeast on 337. Today I encountered some of the toughest hills of the trip so far. They weren’t so long but a bit steeper than most of the ones in New Mexico. The worst part about them was the wind.
Descending first climb of on 337. This looks like it could be fun on a bicycle
The road wound up and down the hills in every direction giving the compass fits. More than once I was blasted so hard I almost stopped dead while trying to climb. I stood on the pedals with all my weight and wished I had eaten a heavy breakfast.
Ascending the second hill on 337
Ascending the 3rd hill on 337 with the schlumpf 29
This buzzard was watching me closely sure I would be his next meal
Pulling into Leakey a young couple rode up who are riding the same route but left around March 22nd. We had just come over our first climb of the day and the one rider said he had been run off the road while descending. I’m not sure if it was the same vehicle but I had a white hatchback of some kind come as close as he could to me and I was riding on the shoulder. They said they had some local advise that an alternative route up to route 39 was less hilly. I was temped to follow, but without knowing the source I opted to stay on route.
The two climbs I did after we parted were challenging and I have one more to go. If I can make it through tomorrow I should be through the toughest hills of the trip. I didn’t feel as wiped out as I do on some days but my legs are just dead. Holding myself back on some of the descents was almost as hard as the ascents. According to my cycle meter some of the grades were 14%
Stats for day 49: Rode a measly 30.06 miles the snails pace of 8.2 mph, Max=15.3 mph, Ascent=2762′, Descent=2946′, Max elevation=2386′, Min elevation=1581′, Ave heart rate=109, Max heart rate=153, Ave temp=63 degrees, Calories burned=1202, Trip miles to date=1426
Unicycle.com
Adventures of A Unicycling Sailing Whitewater Boater 
I think you’re ok with the vultures as long as you don’t just lay down in the road.
Suzi
You are hysterical! Same with Katie..I love reading both of your comments almost as much as reading David’s posts..only he is the winner bc he’s doing all the work 🙂
Lay down in the road. When the buzzard gets close wring its neck. I bet they taste just like chicken.
Just got a crew position for the Classic Yacht Regatta here in Antigua on Gaucho, a double ended 50 ft cutter-ketch
I tried laying in the road but the buzzard just ingnored me as if there was nothing left but skin and bones. I’ll send some of this wind your way for the regatta
those hills are insane! i can’t even imagine what it would be like to ride them. A tiny part of me does think it would have been fun to run along side the rider. but then a small part of me is more insane than those hills. i have always thought it would be fun to have a paint ball gun (or something along those lines) to tag annoying motorists. OK i admit to imagining worse than paint ball guns. why can’t people just be peaceful?
I like the paint ball gun idea. I think you could run up some of these hills faster than I am riding.
Those drivers are horrible to do that to u guys.. Maybe they are from South FL bc that’s how a lot of them are here. Being a Native Floridian, I reserve/deserve the right to comment on FL residents <-) Anyways, stay strong and you are doing an amazing job.