Day off in Columbus, NM

It was wild yesterday riding 100 miles (actually 97.8 ) but whose counting. This was after an 80 mile day on Thursday. Thursday was some downhill and a tailwind. Friday was some uphill and no tailwind. What I learned on Thursday was the incredible value of drafting on the rider ahead of u. I don't know if I mentioned that Flash declared a trial separation after I slipped ranks and went to the Copper Queen in Bisbee. I left Bisbee with the other Copper Queen overnighters. Unfortunately they were all the fastest riders, at least 10 years my junior maybe more. I rode out of town whir them but once we started the long downhill run I was by myself. Then in the distance I spotted another rider who seemed to be going about my speed. I rushed forward and caught up with him just before Douglas, about 20 mile into our 80 mile day. When I first reached George I was winded from struggling to catch up so I just tucked in behind him and drafted. It was during this time that I came to realize that if I drafted someone I might be able to do the long hauls. George is a very steady rider and he doesn't take many breaks so he has sort of acted as my metronome
Today the team went to Mexico sine we are only 2 miles from the border. I demurred due to extreme exhaustion and ended up moving my air mattress outside into the shade and taking a nap. It interrupted by the receding shade. I was telling Lynn on the phone today that the temperature range was 37 in the early am and 94 at midday, but dry so you don't sweat and breezy so u r comfortable. The trip is 1/4 over and it has gone by pretty fast. I miss home and all my loves but do feel I am getting stronger and more acclimated. 37 days left.