Day #7 Gallup, NM to Albuquerque, NM
"Moose all bundled up"Today the morning temp when the first group (Moose, SB, Craig and Fred) pulled out was in the low 30's. Bundled from head to toe they headed off to a few tough hills early in the ride. Very little shifting was done due to the numbness from cold. They climbed to the Continental Divide at 7250 ft elevation before heading on a long downhill to the finish. Moose and Craig both had flats.
The second group (Bruce, Nancy, Tony and Dawn) started off with the wind at their backs and and really nice downhills. They were motoring! Beautiful scenery was around every corner we went. It had heated up to 70 degrees by noon.
The third group (Rob, Pat, Dennis and Kevin) started off towards Albuquerque about 1:00pm. It was hot and getting hotter. We stop at mile marker 126 to Honor Patrolman Lloyd Aragon , who was killed there in 2001. The Laguna Police Department escorted us for some time along the Interstate 40. We then came upon a very long "9 mile" hill as the locals call it. It was very tough but just over the hill we were met by 8 motorcycles from the Albuquerque PD who escorted us through the city to our hotel, we really appreciated the great job they did. Total flats for the day was 6. Our total flats for the trip is now 21.
At 7:00 pm a Memorial ceremony was held at the Albuquerque PD Foothills station. In attendance were Chief of Police Ray Schultz and Bernalillo Sheriff Darren White. There were also many family members of Officers who were recently killed in the line of duty. After the Honor Guard marched in a bag piper played Amazing Grace. A specially engraved baton was presented to the Chief and the Sheriff. Officer Trish Hoffman read the "Roll call of Honor" of all the Officers who have lost there lives from Albuquerque. Included in this list was Deputy James Mcgrane Jr. was was killed on March 22, 2006. The ceremony was brought to a close with the playing of TAPS. The ceremony was a truly moving experience that, we hope, helped the survivor families attending.
The first group heads up a hill; beautiful mountains in background
"Da-Da-Da-Da Super SB, ABLE to leap very small hills in a single bound"
Pat, Dennis, Rob & Kevin with Laguna PD Motor Support
Bruce, Nancy, Tony & Dawn in a paceline
Bruce & Nancy
Tony
Dawn
posted by PUT Coast to Coast at 10:10 AM
6 Comments:
Man, you guys (and gal) are BADA&*@#S. So impressed with your stamina and determination. It is a blast following your progress from the comfort of my own computer chair. ;) Keep up the good work!
Truly impressed by the job your xcountry team is doing - great job
THE BEAUTY OF THE COUNTRYSIDE IS MATCHED BY THE BEAUTY OF YOUR MISSION!!--EMMY
I am soooo jealous! You are all having the experience of a lifetime, and being able to support the families of lost officers makes in an even more incredible venture. Tailwinds always!
Lori W
Dearest Derf, Your Oklahoma friends are very proud of you and your fellow riders. It's wonderful to be able to actually follow your trip daily. Godspeed XOXOXOX
As a NMSP policewife, I thank you for what you are doing.
My husband said you put on a beautiful ceremony in Albuquerque.
Keep it up - we all think you are amazing.
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