Advertisement
Published: April 30th 2016
Edit Blog Post
Well today had everything including a spill. No it is not a ploy to get you to keep reading. We were expecting rain, but not snow and worse hail. We took Route 84 north, around Espanola it started to rain and the previous beautiful views of canyons and 1-2 mesas gave way to cloud and much lower visibility, but still occasional those beautiful New Mexico vistas characteristic of high desert. On occasion, higher altitudes I guess, the rain turned to snow flakes but nothing was sticking. The temperature was down around freezing but no sign of slippery conditions. Certainly a challenging, but rewarding ride through Abinquiu and Charma. As you can see we stopped along the way to plug in our heated gear. We would not have made it without that cosy warmth. I have never see ice buildup on my windscreen before! By the time we got to Pagosa Springs we were shivering uncontrollably when we stopped and unplugged for gas and I had one of those low feelings that make everything else about riding such a high. Lunch in Pagosa Springs helped dispel that feeling and after much discussion about routes through the high passes we decided to head west to Durango. Out decision was helped by the lovely ladies in the restaurant who were talking about a foot of snow up there in the passes. It was totally dry the whole 2 hours in the restaurant and then it started to rain as soon as we left. I am tempted to blame Rob for the weather having covered 2000 miles without so much as a drop, but will refrain.
About a mile out of town the strangest thing happened. It started to hail, but the road just looked wet then suddenly I looked down and there was a coating of hail on the road. Just like that, nothing and then ice. I thought I applied the brakes just a tad to slow, but it was too much and I went down. Rob was a good bit in front and in better control. I slid on my side for about 10 yards but the bike went further a car went round me - thank goodness - and slide sideways as it braked to miss the bike. An 18 wheeler following up stopped (yes!) and held the traffic while a wonderful father and son got out and helped us get the bike upright - guessing 800 pounds fully loaded and wheel it through the slippery hail covered road to the other side. Others stopped to see if we needed help. Why does it take a disaster to bring out the best in folks? But glad it happens at least then. After a brief contemplation as traffic crawled by in both directions I played traffic cop halting both lanes of traffic so Rob could turn and park next to me at least off the road. Large snow ploughs appeared shortly after and we half expected to see our bikes pushed aside by the threatening plow blade. There was not much else to do but go seek shelter and as it turned out a nice coffee shop and figure out what to do next. Several kind folks offered advice. Including a European sounding fellow who said "why did you leave your bikes way over there at the side of the road?" The weird thing he said that about 45 mins after the event and the snow had already melted and we were back to exactly the same condition we had an hour or so before. You just gotta respect Nature.
After further discussion we decided to push on the 50 or so miles to Durango and did so with only a few drops of rain and clearing skies. Quite a day, bruised pride, but nothing more on this old body, a scratched up left side of the bike and lost glasses. Dont ask me how. I did not realize until I got to Durango so at least I can ride without them (and apparently write a blog). Walmart optical advertises fast glasses, but as much as I like Durago I don't think I will spend the next 10 days here. Heading for parts without any chance of snow tomorrow.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.169s; Tpl: 0.01s; cc: 7; qc: 45; dbt: 0.1216s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb