Great Divide Stage 7

Pie Town to Grants

Strava: 113.5 km, 493m, 4:40, 244 shifts, 52.5 kph max

Three of us ended up sleeping inside at the Bunkhouse last night. We woke up early when others came in looking for their coffee fix or the bathroom. We packed up and rode to the Gathering Place for breakfast at 7:30, right when Starr was opening. She served us classic breakfasts like omelets, pancakes, bacon and eggs. Delicious and of course we bought three pies to go for lunch.

We rolled out Pie Town at 8:30 and headed north on a dirt road that was pretty smooth. Within one km I had to replace my other shifter battery (WTF??) and we got to talk to the Canadian couple we met yesterday hiking. They seemed in a good mood but walking that long long road did not look fun to me. We talked with them about types of hikers and bikers: seekers, people trying to escape something, and those “with fuck all else to do”, that last one added by Andrew. As we rode on we pondered which we were.

We stopped for first lunch at 11:00 at the junction with route 117, after just over 50 km. We had two pies, so tasty! Then we rode the paved alternate route the rest of the day.

After 25 km of nice cruising by sandstone formations, we stopped at La Ventana Arch. We rode the little trail to a viewpoint and shared our last pie there. It’s a beautiful spot and we were just loving the clear sky and relatively cool temps.

We continued on, the whole way on pavement with our Superman, Wytze, leading. The wind varied, generally side, so we mostly echelon drafted. This is a diagonal pattern with Wytze near the center line and each of us behind and to the right of the one ahead. There was very little traffic so this worked perfectly the whole way. Obviously it’s no good on a busy road. We reminisced about getting pulled over by the cops in Spain for this in 2023.

We crossed route 40, stopped for drinks and snacks, then continued the last 9 km to Grants.  This part of route 117 was tracing the path of historic Route 66. We made it about 8.5 km but noticed the Junkyard on 66 Brewery and just had to stop. The place was so classic with classic cars and stacks of parts, dozens of old car radios, a pool table etc. They didn’t make an IPA so Andrew and I had a guest beer, Alien IPA, that was great. We had some snacks and enjoyed the stop.

Our motel, the Leisure Lodge, was just down the road and we checked in. It’s a classic old motel, another one of Andrew’s goals for the trip accomplished. Old or not they had a great shower. Then we warmed up the leftover pizza from Pie Town for a snack. Livin’ large!

We rode to dinner around 6, headed for the Teppanyaki place “downtown”, but it didn’t exist. El Cafecito Mexican restaurant did though and served us up a giant dinner of various dishes, plainer than we’re used to in California but filling. Very friendly staff let us park inside – we heard you have to be careful about bikes here. I have to say that Grants is a bit of a disappointment so far after Silver City. Riding through the neighborhoods… It does not look thriving.

We rode back and watched a pretty wild movie in our room, No Country for Old Men. All in all a great day, ending the first week of our adventure. And tomorrow is a rest day! I believe I will sleep well.