I squeezed in a ride on the Rift Valley Trail, the very one Mme Awesome and I rode several times only a few months ago when we were last in Taos, while the crew went to the Taos Pueblo.

What a different experience! What was a smooth trail of packed dirt is now full of loose rocks making those turns too easy to drift and course altering water channels. The rains must have been incredible and wow my trail work appreciation has gone to another level.

Post ride we hit the road for Albuquerque and real, genuine, honest, proper heat. I mean, the windshield was h.o.t. As in, no joke, that’s a hot windshield.

We fit in fine on the backroads and overall had an enjoyable experience. Once on I 25 with the 75 mph speed limit and all the traffic and, yes, heat, it became the typical, monotonous trudge and, not a moment too soon, we were all glad to make our exit.

Check us out!

We took what rest was available, scarfed some food and drove off to the event.

I swear we left the Bay Area with a half dozen phone charging cords; now we are down to one. Sad! Plus, with our boring, old skool headphones that have to be attached to use, I can’t be charging while driving or I can’t hear the directions. Double sad!!