Today was an easy ride from El Paso to Fort Hancock. 51 miles of mostly down hill riding made for a very pleasant day. The temp reached 96 at one point, so it was a little warm. The rural riding is so much better than the busy interstate traffic. I met a couple of riders from Australia today. They started in Key West in January and have made it this far. Their plan is to ride around the world. Once they’ve covered the U.S. they’re going to head to Europe. They’re traveling with bike loads more than mine! Ricky’s is 135 pounds and Amy’s is 100 pounds, same as mine. So now, at least I know I’m not the only crazy person to carry so much weight. They said my next few days should be easy. I like that. Amy also gave me some advice on skirting the mountains in west Texas which also cuts a day off the ride. I may do that after some route planning. Here’s the map from today and some pictures:

Leaving El Paso. Black gold, Texas T. Back into the pecan groves. One of the irrigation channels. They flood the land where the trees live and it soaks in.

More pretty alfalfa fields. They keep the ground flat and level so the water covers the trees evenly (I think)

Here’s Ricky and Amy from Australia I stopped and had lunch here. Nena was a sweet lady. She warned me about the salsa. Very hot she said. It was. The food was delicious. Some old tractor stuff for Calvin.Freshly mown alfalfa field in wind rows, ready for baling.

A scofflaw with his cheeks stuffed with pecans. An irrigation pump flooding the channel.

Riding into Fort Hancock

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