Today's APRS/GPS/ Ham Radio Tracking
Yesterday we encountered a local cyclist while snacking at the corner Shell Station who told us he likes to ride a loop down Gutierrez Canyon Road, Route 66 to Tijeras, and back up North-14 ... which is all within our normal riding range though we never before rode that loop. So today we did.
It seemed a bit warmer today than yesterday but we wanted to do a longer ride than we've done recently. Thus we stopped often for water and rest breaks. Gutierrez Canyon was a very nice ride and for that advice we're thankful. On the way up that road we saw a cyclist coming toward us the other way and Jacque told me "I think that's the guy we saw yesterday!" But, seeing shapely butt and legs approaching, I responded "Naw, this one's a babe!" And it was, and a cheerful one... obviously not a professional athlete or racer in training too busy and focused to wave at old farts on a trike. Then, not a mile farther on, we DID encounter the dude who told us about Gutierrez Canyon, and he was friendly too.
The trouble started when we got to the end of Gutierrez Canyon and entered Olde Route 66, which is now under destruction, er, I should say CONstruction.... maybe. The contractor's warning signs blink "CYCLISTS USE CAUTION... ROAD UNDER CONSTRUCTION" but we rather think it should say "MOTORISTS Use Caution" since Cyclists must Always use caution no matter what. There was several hundred yards of roadway blocked off so narrowly that there was no shoulder to ride upon, so we took the right hand lane as lawfully allowed and slowed down only a few vehicles that backed up behind us. When we stopped in Tijeras for Jacque to mail some packages, a fellow pulled up in his Big Red Truck and asked me, rather snooty-like, "Do you really think it's safe to ride through these construction zones where there's no shoulder and people have to WAIT behind you as you ride?" I answered, "Well, No, it's NEVER safe to go out on a roadway, even in a Car!" He sputtered and griped a bit more and then stalked off, unfortunately a typical example of a typical motorist. Most motorists have similar attitudes toward people-powered travelers but don't take the time to stop and gripe you out. Most complainers are content to wave out the window with the index finger or honk as they go by. Some honkers are friendly and some are not, so we normally assume all honkers are friendly and smile and wave.
Right after this I determined to check my blood sugar before resuming the ride home and was shocked, SHOCKED to find my blood glucose test kit GONE and the zipper pocket it rides in WIDE OPEN, which meant I'd somehow forgotten to zip the darn thing in when I tested it several miles previously. Very frustrating to do something stupid and not be able to blame it on anyone else.
It was not a terrible loss - the test strips are worth more than the meter that uses them - but a loss nonetheless, and we decided we'd drive back along that route and hope the kit was not out in the middle of the road and flattened by subsequent traffic.
Climbing the 6 miles of hill from Tijeras to Sandia Park was not fun but not too tortuous either. It was getting hot and we stopped more frequently but did OK, especially since there is a Phillips 66 station at Cedar Crest halfway up the hill, with Lemonade and Ice Cream Sandwiches, two of our favorite vices.
It must be a popular stop for nice little old ladies, since several came over and pampered Tinkerbell, who understandably hates to be fussed over and sweet-talked. We finally topped the hill by the Shell Station and Post Office and got safely back to the dinosaur powered vehicle and when we drove to where we thought the glucose tester kit might have been, there it was, safely off the road, in the shade, and totally safe and sound. God is Good.
Beginning Battery Voltage: 13.2 Ending Voltage: 13.0
(LiFeP04 battery, still uncharged for 4 days now)
Lowest Temp 80 F Highest Temp: 88 F
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 16.84
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
4.0 MPH 6.5 MPH 28.6 MPH
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
4 hours 14 mins 2 hours 35 mins 1 hour 38 minutes
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