Today's stats
Temperature - low 11 high 22
Weather - Sunny
Miles traveled - 235
So only the Fukawi can take was should have been a short day (less than 200 miles) and turn it into an all day ride.
As we thought this would be a short day, probably 6 hours tops, we slept in a bit and went for breakfast at 8:30 (add 1 hour to our day) and discovered there was a ½ hour wait for a table (add another ½ hour to our day – I think you’re getting the picture here). The breakfast was, however, worth the wait.
From breakfast we had a short drive through Santa Fe to see “the old town” (and another ½ hour) and then gassed up our bikes. It was a this point that Jack mentioned we were only 3 miles from the local Harley Davidson store. Don then mentioned that he wanted to purchase a comfy seat cover for his bike. Now before you judge Don on his manliness, four other Fukawi members already have these cushions.
So off to the Harley Davidson store we go. Within 2 minutes of entering the store we have determined that there are no comfy cushions to be purchased here. So… 50 minutes later and a few T-shirts, we’re off on the road. We haven’t even left Santa Fe and we’ve added 2 hours and 50 minutes to our short day.
Now the one real benefit of stopping at the Harley store was we found out that if we took a small detour (read add an another 1 hour to our day) we could drive through Madrid, New Mexico, Now Madrid holds a special place in our hearts. The is were the film “Wild Hogs” was filmed. If you haven’t seen it, rent it soon. It is mandatory that every Fukawi member must watch this film.
T-shirt anyone?
From Madrid we eventually hooked up again with Route 66 and headed along this road to Albuquerque, New Mexico where we had lunch a Loyola’s Restaurant, who’s claim to fame has nothing to do with the food they serve (believe me) but the fact that some episodes of “Breaking Bad” were shot here.
After lunch we continued along Route 66, enjoying the ride and the scenery stopping only for gas. We all got into the ride and no one noticed that one of our group was left at a gas station. Paul was just walking out of the gas station as he saw use heading down the freeway. It was about about 12 miles down the road before anyone noticed he wasn’t with us. We of course pulled over and tried to contact him. First by phone and then we texted him co-ordinates where we could meet (add another 10 minutes to the day). Another 10 miles down the road we eventually hooked up and continued to tonight's destination, Gallup, New Mexico. We rolled in to tonight’s hotel, El Rancho at 6:00.
So let’s do the math.
Original estimated travel time 6.0 hours
Sleeping in. 1.0 hours
Waiting for breakfast. 0.5 hours
Driving through Old Santa Fe. 0.5 hours
Stop at Harley Davidson. 0.9 hours
Detour through Madrid. 1.0 hours
Time spent trying to find Paul. 0.1 hours
Let's just call it another long day
After checking into the historic El Rancho Hotel, we washed up and headed to the hotel bar for a couple beers, some food and of course watch the US Presidential debate. This proved a bit more difficult than we thought. Apparently everyone in Gallup wanted to watch the Cubs and Dodgers play baseball. Eventually we did find a bar down the street that agreed to put us in a corner and turn on the one TV to the debate.
Even the waiter got into the debate
Back to the hotel and then to bed. Tomorrow we ride to Arizona.
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