Day 12 - 74.7 miles - Lordsburg, NM

To my relief, I woke this morning with no left knee pain. I could tell right away. That's a game saver as a bum knee on a cross country bicycle tour is not a recipe for success. The vitamin I ( a thru-hikers term for Ibuprofen ) that I took yesterday must have magical powers because I didn't feel any pain. I am hoping that my knee was just inflamed from over use and that its back to normal now. I made a decision last night to adjust my route a little to take a more southerly direction. I am happy I did. Today's ride was the most scenic of the trip and it had brand new pavement. Work crew were still out there doing clean up and putting in those rumble strips, which cyclist hate. The best part of today's ride was that there was very little traffic. I was able to listen to music most of the day. I only do that on deserted roads to be safe. I did have a few long climbs to deal with but they were gradual for the most part. To my left is the Gila National Forest and to my right is the Peloncillo Mountains and I rode between the two for an incredible day. This route had only one town that passed through it. The town of Duncan was very small but I was able to get the fluids I needed to finish the day. Just 5 miles southeast of Duncan I crossed into my 3 state of this trip, the state of New Mexico. I am always excited to see a state sign. I am now in Mountain Time as i noticed my cell phone changed. My destination for today is Lordsburg. I came through here on my bicycle on my first cross country bicycle tour back in 1997. Not that I remember it that well. Tomorrow I climb over the Continental Divide, so that should be interesting. I better pray my knee feels good for that, or I may just roll backwards down the divide.

Photos: Train in Safford, AZ - Follow the signs to Lordsburg - Highway 70 - Peloncillo Mountains - my bicycle and my route - Saloon in Duncan, AZ - Welcome to New Mexico