Coast to Coast: Day 14 - Wind-Supported Century to Van Horn!

Project 2950 is rolling on! Day 14 brought us an exhilarating ride, covering 100 miles from El Fabens, Texas, all the way to Van Horn, Texas, with a total of 2,165 feet of elevation gain.

Today's ride was the kind you dream of on a cross-country trip: "wind supported." For more than 80% of the day, we were treated to a favorable tailwind that turned what could have been a challenging century into a truly memorable experience. There’s nothing quite like having the wind at your back, pushing you along the vast, open roads of West Texas.

Midway through, we made a quick water stop in historic Esperanza at what was once a bustling mercantile shop, now closed. We were greeted by a welcome committee of three local dogs—mostly friendly! It’s always a treat to connect with the local history, even if it's just a quick pause in a quiet spot.

The scenery on this leg was truly spectacular. The route took us through some stunning landscapes as we crested over the Sierra Diablo range. The views of the mountains and the vast desert floor were incredible, a perfect backdrop for a perfect day of cycling.

We ended the day in style, checking into the historic El Capitan Hotel in Van Horn. After 100 miles, a little dose of history and comfort is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Tomorrow, we're up early for a 73-mile jaunt to Marfa, Texas. Stay tuned for more miles and more magic on the road!

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Pedal Power and Pecan Farms: Day 13 of Project 2950!

Today was a much-needed, easy-paced ride as we rolled out of El Paso and made our way to Fabens, TX. While a "short" 40 miles might feel like a rest day, it was packed with scenery and urban charm, giving us a perfect lead-in to tomorrow's big push.

City Streets and Southern Charms

Our morning started with a smooth cycle along the Rio Grande, where we paused for the obligatory "Welcome to Texas" sign photo op! We then spent some time touring downtown El Paso, which was a treat for the eyes. The city has some truly great architecture that tells a story of its history.

One fun highlight? Navigating around the tracks for El Paso's "old school" streetcar system. Everyone did a fantastic job of avoiding the rails—a cyclist's hazard!—and it was genuinely cool to see those classic cars still moving through the city. We also rolled past the UTEP campus before navigating our way SE towards Faben, TX.

As we headed out of the city and into the country, the landscape began to shift. We were surrounded by the hallmarks of West Texas agriculture: endless rows of pecan farms and a fair bit of beautiful, white cotton fields. It's a gorgeous slice of Americana that you can only appreciate from the saddle of a bike.

Feasting for the Fight

Though only 40 miles today, we know what's coming: 100 miles tomorrow as we head to Van Horn, Texas and officially begin the long, epic journey across the rest of the Lone Star State.

Tonight, we're loading up on fuel for that ride! We're headed to the legendary Cattleman's Steakhouse, a huge, family-style restaurant set on a working ranch. We’re ready to enjoy the authentic western atmosphere, take in miles of desert scenery, and hopefully catch one of those spectacular West Texas sunsets!

Tomorrow: Van Horn. The long haul begins!

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This is my home state - born in Abilene!

Day 12: Columbus, NM to El Paso, TX – 73 Miles of Desert Glory

 We clocked a solid 73 miles today, pedaling out of Columbus, NM, and making our grand entrance into the Lone Star State!

The day's ride served up some truly spectacular Chihuahuan Desert vistas. The stark, expansive beauty of the desert landscape was the perfect backdrop for what we're collectively calling the best riding conditions of the tour so far. We enjoyed favorable tailwinds and absolutely beautiful sunny weather with low humidity. When you're racking up the miles, a day like this feels like a gift.

A unique highlight that broke up the miles was our visit with Ben C., a New Mexico State Trooper. He was kind enough to humor a bunch of dusty cyclists, chat with us, and even take our photo. He also offered to tase one of the team... entirely in jest, of course! A good laugh and a reminder of the kindness of strangers.

We officially crossed the mighty Rio Grande today. While its name suggests grandeur, at this time of year the flow was low and less than "grand", but it was still a milestone to pedal over the historic waterway.

Tonight, we're settled in Sunland Park, TX. Being the Louisvillian on the team, it's a relative fact of local pride: we're right down the street from the horse racing track that produced Mine That Bird, the longshot who went on to win the Kentucky Derby!

Tomorrow is a shorter course – only 40 miles – as we have to navigate the more urban landscape of El Paso before heading to Fabens, TX. We're well-rested and ready to tackle the city traffic and keep Project 2950 rolling east!

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Had the honor of transporting Scout today...the Top Dawg Award!

 

Officer Ben C. was kind enough to snap our photo!

Home of KY Derby Winner - Mine That Bird!

Day #11: Across the Continental Divide to Columbus, NM

Day's Stats: 100 miles | 2070 feet elevation gain

Day #11 was a quintessential New Mexico traverse—a clear day with a strong wind as a constant companion, unfortunately pushing against us as we crossed the vast, beautiful expanse of the state's southern borderlands. We left Portal, AZ, and set our sights on Columbus, NM, passing through the small, historic towns of Animas and Hachita.

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly crossing the Continental Divide on NM State Route 9. It’s always a powerful moment to cross that geographic spine of the continent. Of course, the requisite stop for pictures was mandatory!

The scenery today was classic high desert: stunning vistas that seem to stretch forever under the massive sky, dotted with hardy, beautiful scrub and grass. We did have a few wildlife encounters—fortunately all of the dead rattlesnakes we saw were just that, dead. We were also treated to an absolute swarm of grasshoppers!

The Giants of the Road

One of the most striking sights of the day was the relentless parade of industrial power: we counted at least 50 trucks carrying wind turbine blades! These things are absolutely massive. For reference, the blades we saw could easily be 150 to 200 feet long!

A Warm Welcome in Columbus

After a long 100 miles, we rolled into Columbus, NM, and were met with the warmest reception imaginable! Mayor Phillip greeted us and is generously hosting us for a much-anticipated dinner at a local restaurant. It's the perfect way to recharge after a demanding day on the bike.

Tomorrow, we have a slightly shorter push—72 miles—as we head for El Paso, Texas!

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Day #10: Bisbee to Portal, AZ – The Desert Tailwind Deliverance

What a difference a day makes! After the brutal headwind and climbing into Bisbee yesterday, Day #10 was a complete 180-degree turn, giving us the well-deserved desert tailwind deliverance. Our route today took us 86 miles with a manageable 2,300 feet of climbing from Bisbee, AZ, to the tiny, beautiful community of Portal, AZ.

The Morning on Lowell Street

We kicked off the morning with a highlight that any Bisbee visitor should put on their list: Breakfast on Lowell Street! Tucked right next door to the massive, eye-catching Lavender Pit copper mine, we fueled up while enjoying the quirky, historic charm of the area. It was the perfect low-key start before hitting the road.

A Tailwind and a Monument

Once we rolled out of town, we immediately noticed the magic: the weather had cleared, and the winds had shifted favorably to the Southwest! Instead of battling a constant wall of air, the wind was mostly at our backs, gently (or sometimes eagerly!) propelling us forward.

The afternoon brought us to a poignant historical landmark: the Geronimo Surrender National Monument in the aptly named Apache, AZ. It was a powerful, quiet moment to reflect on the history of the region and the incredible landscape we were riding through.

Three States and a Sweet Reward

Our route for the day followed US-80, eventually taking us right across the state line and into New Mexico! We, of course, stopped for photos at the border crossing. 

Although we technically clipped into New Mexico, our home for the night is just back across the border in Portal, AZ. The Portal Lodge served up a fantastic dinner that had the whole team refueled and feeling good. There's nothing like a great meal and a clear night sky after a long day in the saddle.

Looking Ahead: Stretching for 100

With our legs feeling surprisingly fresh thanks to today's generous tailwind, we are ready to take on a bit longer challenge tomorrow. We’re stretching the route out to nearly 100 miles as we head east from Portal to Columbus, NM, on NM-SR 9. We're anticipating a long, sunny day in the desert with more favorable winds to help us get solidly into New Mexico!

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Geronimo Surrender Monument

Lavender Copper Mine Pit

One of many cars on quirky Lowell Street

The vistas today were amazing!

Rattlesnake Tail Sculpture

Day 9: Benson to Bisbee – Battle of the Storm and the Climb

Talk about a tough day in the saddle! Day 9, covering the route from Benson to Bisbee, was a brutal but ultimately rewarding 50-mile stretch. We had a delayed start, not because of a mechanical issue or a tired set of legs, but because of a full-blown weather event: Tropical Storm Raymond.

In the middle of the Arizona desert, we were hit with heavy rain and massive winds—and wouldn't you know it, the wind was a direct headwind from the south. This made every single pedal stroke a battle, especially since we were facing 3,650 feet of climbing! It was a true test of grit and determination.

Climbing to the High Point

Despite the brutal headwinds, we pushed on, with the goal of hitting our highest elevation of the entire journey. We achieved it near Bisbee, summiting at 6,030 feet around Mule Pass. That view from the top, even through the wind-shear, felt earned in a way few others have.

The halfway point of the ride offered a brief respite and a legendary backdrop: Tombstone. The sun had finally broken through the clouds, but the relentless wind persisted. Still, it was a fantastic break to grab a late lunch and soak in the sights of the Wild West—the legendary home of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday—before heading back out for the final push.

Tomorrow, we have 82 miles as we push into New Mexico but end up back in Portal AZ for the overnight before leaving rainy/sunny/windy AZ behind!

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Pedal to the Metal: Day 8 - Tucson to Benson

After a much-needed rest day, we woke up before the sun and hit the road early this morning! Our goal was to beat the expected rain, which, even in the desert, can lead to serious flash flooding. Tour director Dennis made a great call!

Despite the early start, the ride was actually cooler than normal. We covered 59 miles and tackled nearly 3,000 feet of climbing before lunch, rolling into Benson.

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Roadside Encounters and Sweet Treats

We had some great company on the road today! We met Dave, who joined our group and rode with us for 15 miles. At our first stop, I also connected with a Green Bay Packers fan—a perfect opportunity for a selfie to send to the Blackpool Buffords!

The real treat, though, is the hotel location. It's right across the street from a local coffee and doughnut shop! Naturally, I had to indulge. Seriously, the fritters here are as big as table plates! Guess where I'm heading first thing tomorrow morning?

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Looking Ahead to New Mexico

A hearty dinner is on the agenda for tonight, followed by a slightly shorter ride tomorrow through Tombstone,AZ. This sets us up perfectly for the end of the week, where we'll be rolling into New Mexico and tackling a couple of century (100-mile) efforts! We're feeling strong and ready for the next big push.

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Beautiful Vistas Today!

That is Dave in blue...guess his age 63! Looking good!

Go Pack Go!

A dinosaur shot for the grandkids!

Dinosaurs at all local McDonald's