KRATZMC

Greetings!

Well today I left for another RTE (Ride to Eat) in Deming New Mexico, for the Veterans Day Gathering.  Where else can you get a BBQ steak, beans, play a piston toss game and slow ride challenge on mini bikes for only $10 bucks?  145 Long Distance Riders have registered so it should be a good event at which to swap lies and check out who and what they rode.  Click the link to see who all is going.

http://www.deminggathering.com/2008%20registered.htm

The route

I left Georgetown around 1100 hrs for my first leg of 433 miles to Hobbs N.M., where I am staying the night.  You can see by my route I avoided the interstates as much as possbile.  The weather at the start was fantastic, in the high 70’s and clear as a bell.  By the time I had reached the N.M. border, the temperature had dropped to 48 degrees and was still dropping when I checked into the Motel.  I had drank three cups of coffee at Bar None before leaving, which would plague me later on.

All was well until I hit Santa Ana Texas, when I had to void my bladder.  I had been holding my coffee by-product since Georgetown.  I rode to the FINA fuel station on Hwy 84, a usual stop on this route only to find the bathroom was out of order.  I was directed to the nearest Dairy Queen and my timing couldn’t have been more perfect.  As I ripped off my helmet, pulled out my ear plugs and ran cross legged into the dining area I found a disabled chap heading the same way.  I couldn’t work my around him as he slithered towards the bathroom blocking my path.  I figured it would have been bad taste to run him over.  Due to the extent of his disability, I knew he would be taking the longest time for the shortest task and I watch helplessly as he made his way into the one holer first, locking the door behind him.  All etiquette went out the window, as I went into the womens facility to decaffinate myself.  I was able to make it out without catching any glares, so I decided to order a burger to go.  I ate the burger standing in the parking lot, in order to stretch my legs.  All joking aside, even though I was cursing that fine chap as he hindered my, I was thankful my troubles were miniscule in comparison.

I continued my ride and made it almost to Abilene when the burger started to give me the nods.  I stopped at a picnic area and laid on one of the tables and power napped for about 20 minutes.  The short nap refreshed me and took care of the nods.  My next stop was in Snyder, Texas to fuel up.  I saw some plastic army men paratroopers at the counter for 49 cents, so I picked up two.  One to deploy and the other to keep me company.  I played with the two, in keeping with the upcoming Veterans Day spirit and ate my ice cream drumstick, while getting occasional stares from the other customers.  Later on, I let one of the paratroopers go at 70 MPH but his chute didn’t hold.  If you find you way between Gail and Snyder, Texas on Hwy 180, keep an eye out for an MIA!

Lt. Mini Zeke

I began reaching the west Texas border as the sun was going down.  For about 30 minutes I was riding directly into the burning orb but as it reached the horizon, it reminded me why I like to ride.

Westbound Hwy 180 west of Gail Texas.

Well early to bed.  I have about 379 miles to cover, planning to arrive at the BBQ around 1400 hrs.  I will stay in Deming that night and flip a coin to determine my route to California, for a 1,200 mile jaunt to see old friends and just fart around.  You can check out my progress via Satellite Tracker until my return around the 22nd or 23rd by checking the “Where’s Zeke Page”.

SPOT Tracker Map to Deming, using the Check OK mode.

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