Travel to
Albuquerque
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Travel to
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We arise at the crack of dawn, drive 80 miles to our riding point, get ready to go, and Abel starts complaining about the knee that he twisted while fighting Moby Dick with Captain Queeg in the South Pacific. But all is not lost. We find an electric plug and recharge his battery. With an electrifying leap (as in fat leaping out of the pan and into the fire), Abel is able to turn the pedals to the mantra, "Easy stroke. Kiss my spoke. Easy stroke. Kiss my spoke."
The truck and trailer sit poised to follow Abel and Beas down the mountain on Route 60 out of Springerville.
Joe makes friends with some local inhabitants. In addition to the short legged but fat horses shown here, Abel spotted elk and antelope as Joe just missed hitting a road crossing coyote.
As providence would have it, we were moved to change a trailer tire at a spot along the side of the road. Coincidentally, we meet Max, a passing fellow amputee of over 30 years. Abel tries to recruit him for next year's ride. Max is a true ambassador, showing hundreds and thousands of people that a handicap is only a handicap if you let it be a handicap. Truer words were never spoken. Best of luck Max and keep on doin whatcha doin.
Finally, the moment arrives when Abel is back with his family in Albquerque but Joe is holding his bike hostage to guarantee Abel's return to the ride following the visitation at HealthSouth on Monday.
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