I do not have a clue as to what is wrong with me these days. I ordered an elk burger, onion rings and strawberry lemonade for dinner last night and could not finish the burger. Now don’t get me wrong, the burger was way bigger than the bun and cutting it in half was an absolute necessity. I do think I got enough protein as I survived today’s climb fest.

Staying at a motel last night allowed me to get going nice and early as packing the gear was not as time consuming. I was on the road way before sunrise and was hoping to get started on the 23 mile climb to Indiana Pass (11,958ft) before the heat made it’s presence known.

The first half of the climb up to Indiana Pass was very gradual and on pavement, but resulted in only a quarter of the total required elevation gain to make it to the top. Three quarters of the elevation gain was on a gravel road for the second half of mileage to be ridden, it was obviously not as a gradual as the first half.

Climbing is all about getting into a rhythm and simply cranking it out. The key is not to count down the mileage remaining and try to lose yourself in your thoughts as you maintain a good breathing pattern. Got it? Let’s go!

I have to admit that I got a little lightheaded at the top of the summit and I took a good break at the top while having an enjoyable conversation with a couple from East Texas. They told me all about a herd of elk that spend the summer near Summitville. Armed with the knowledge of where to look for the elk, off I went.

After some epic views of the local mountains, I made it to what is left of Summitville and spotted a few elk up on a mountain. Binoculars would have been preferred, but I did get a glimpse.

A little later, I ran into a couple photographers from Arkansas taking a picture of a tree that is at the end of it’s life, which I called Half Tree. It was a nice break and they were fun to chat with for a moment.

I think I got a glimpse of what is to come in New Mexico today as far as riding conditions. The road conditions deteriorated and it was all about taking my time and enjoying some very interesting mountains. The mountains that came into view are the most unique I have seen on this journey with the iron oxide giving them their color pop.

Once the colorful mountains were behind me, I shifted focus on making the last climb and enduring the trail. It was a beautiful site at the top of the last hill and then to see Platoro was the icing on the cake.

I made it to Gold Pan RV Park and when offered a cabin for a more than reasonable rate, I jumped on it as happily as I jumped on the trampoline in the backyard of my childhood home.

During my ride today, a convoy of 13 vehicles and a motorcycle, mostly from Texas, passed me going the opposite direction and later passed me again coming back down closer to Platoro. Come to find out, they are all staying in South Fork at a RV site. Apparently a couple of them mentioned coming up here today while at their campsite and the word spread like wildfire and a convoy was formed to join them. They were all at the Gold Pan Cafe when I arrived and the two new owners here were a little overwhelmed, but business was good. It was fun to hear the Texans say “Hey honey, there’s that cyclist!”