Sunday, April 7th, arrived too early. We were up before 6 AM to meet at the Oasis Restaurant for coffee and breakfast burritos to fuel the 58.5 miles from Presidio to Marfa. The leaders gave the group an option: ride the 58.5 miles or take the van to Shafter a little over 19 miles into the ride to avoid traffic on US67, a major road north. All but two opted for the Shafter start point. Jeff and Rob wanted to ride the whole way. Everyone brought their bags and bikes to the van, bags inside the trailer (the 2 tandems as well) and the bikes on top of the van. The temperature in Presidio was in the low 50’s and I dressed for that.

The van and trailer pulled away from the 3 Palms Motel about 7:30 AM with sunrise about to happen. The drive to Shafter went quickly. There was a place for the van/trailer to park off the highway. The bikes were handed down from the roof and the 2 tandems removed from the trailer. The temperature was much cooler at Shafter and a number of people layered up before heading. I changed jackets and added leg warmers.

I thought I was prepared and the road was flat to gently rising for about a mile and then a steep climb appeared. I rode up part way but had to walk to the top. I rode to 5.3 miles with Evan behind me. The route was going uphill for several miles and my legs were struggling. I called Gary in the van and arranged to meet him at a spot where he could pull of with the trailer. I rode in the van to the top of the last big climb leaving about 21 miles to ride to Marfa. For the first time I arrived at the El Comisco RV park before any of the other riders, thanks to the van ride.

Other riders arrived not long after me. I set up the orange wind sail tent, rested and then went to the free showers. Refreshed after the shower I sat with several others talking. Sunday evening there would no camp cooking. Instead the group was going to The Hotel Paisano for dinner. While we waited for our tables we gathered on the patio for Gary and Evan to pass out awards for each rider in the group including them. We laughed at what they found for rewards and the story behind selecting the award for each rider. I got an air horn. I’m not remembering why I got the air horn.

Our tables were ready and we moved to the dining room area. The menu was concise and I ordered tortilla crusted chicken with mashed potatoes, and asparagus. The meal was very good and I ordered cheese cake for desert.

Back at El Cmisco RV park the sun was down and we went to our tents. This was the last night in the tents. I told Buzz and Beth I was considering just leaving my tent in the morning because of all the trouble I had setting it up and tearing it down. But in the morning I folded it up and took it with me.

Link to photos.