Day 20 - Fort Hancock to Van Horn, TX

Last night the sky was clear and temps were mild. So I biked a half mile to the border with Mexico, and took sunset photos of an irrigation canal and the border fence.
At dusk I realized my Camelbak (water backpack) was missing. This was serious, since we have 70 - 90 mile days with minimal water stops coming up. I searched the church, outside the building, and even walked a mile into town to the convenience store where we stopped in the afternoon. No luck. Other riders searched in vain. In the morning I noticed a strange squishy lump under the tent floor. Of course it was the Camelbak! Mitch complimented me on improvising a waterbed.
Today we rode 75 miles and climbed between 1400 - 1800 feet to a maximum elevation of 4800 feet. The ride started cool so we wore jackets. After 10 miles we shed. It was overcast for several hours, then the sun was out in full force. A light tailwind was appreciated!
After 20 miles we stopped for a snack, before riding the shoulder of Interstate 10. Andre's Law #1 is you stop to eat every 20 miles. Andre's Law #2 is 150 = your age + daily mileage. Corollary #1 is 1000 feet climbed = 1 mile. See photo of Carol, Linda, Bob G, Andre and Terry (Jerry and Bob Pedersen were out of the picture).
Riding the interstates is not as dangerous as it sounds. We ride in the shoulder which is as wide as a lane. Many semi drivers pull into the left lane to minimize the wind. The challenge is thin metal wires from retread tires that disintegrate, and sit in the shoulder forever. (Only the big tire pieces are picked up.) The wires cause flats and can be hard to find and remove from a bike tire.
Speaking of flats ... this morning Mitch picked five goatheads out of his tires. Jerry flatted today, this time his front tire. While Bob G and others were off their bikes helping Jerry, one of Bob G's tires popped. Go figure! We are averaging 1 - 2 flats a day. It's not if but when.
One advantage of riding the interstate shoulder is the more gradual angle of ascent when climbing. But the interstate closed a lot of small town businesses (see photo of abandoned motel).
When we exited the interstate, we rode on the infamous Texas chip seal, gravel set in asphalt (see photo). Chip seal can be a bumpy ride, and can limit your speed when rough.
After 70 miles we reached the town of Van Horn. It's basically one very wide, long and straight street with every budget motel chain represented (see photo). Not a coffee shop to be had. I counted myself lucky to find a Wendy's and enjoyed a cold milkshake.
We are in another KOA campground tonight, fighting for turf with hulking mega-RVs bigger than my house. Instead of standard childrens' playground equipment, the park has a row of used saddles on a railing (see photo). The showers are hot and the laundry is drying on a picnic table, so life is good.
For dinner Bob and Ken made great Wisconson-style chili (includes macaroni) and salad. Marie's blue cheese dressing too - my fave. And appropriately, pecan pie for dessert (see photos).
After dinner Mitch put on costume ears (see photo) and had a pop quiz on the section 2 map from Phoenix to El Paso. Prizes included bars of locally-made soap and dried salsa powder (which will likely show up in a dinner soon).
Bruce