Today we rode from Gallup to Grants, New Mexico, 66 miles. We climbed to the Continental Divide and then had a long, luxurious coast to Grants. On the way up we encountered construction on I-40 where the eastbound highway was one lane with no shoulder. With safety in mind we collected ourselves into one big group and rode the only lane, with the support van behind us blocking traffic. It was just over a mile so it wasn’t a big inconvenience to the drivers. Way better for us than sharing a lane with freeway traffic!

The Continental Divide makes a good photo op.

After that it was a beautiful long coast downhill (you can’t coast very far uphill, anyway). There were storms on both sides with clear cool weather on us. Route 66 runs parallel to I-40 here, so all the trucks and people trying to make time are on the interstate, leaving 66 quiet and nearly free of traffic. It was perfect cycling.

Lunch was at a fine local restaurant, El Cafecito. Dinner was at Denny’s. Enough said about dinner.

Chad chatted with the desk clerk, a 4^th generation Marine whose grandfather (maybe great-grandfather?) was a Navajo code talker.

Tomorrow it’s on to Albuquerque.