Today sees us climbing into the heart of the mountains so once again we begin in the cold. The climb is sustained but not too taxing (we do cross the Continental Divide on a fairly insignificant ridge, but there is a sign for pictures) and we soon enjoy a brief drop into Silver City where we hope to reach civilization on the internet, find a bike shop to correct a creaking bottom bracket and get an "all you can eat" buffet.
First time over the Continental Divide
The town proves to be small but well supplied with facilities: after a short search we find a bike shop for adjustments, leave the gear there while we pig out on pizza, return to find the bike running smoothly and move along the road for a session on the internet in the library. Email is checked, Tim gets to find out the UK soccer scores (all good!) and Mark tries to move his plans for an epic African trip ahead.
Suitably fortified by accomplishing all our requirements in town we climb into the Gila National Forest, cross the Continental Divide again and wind up to a height of 7400' in very pleasant conditions (the day has been windy but mainly at our back). A steep drop brings us to Lake Roberts (one small store, 2 closed motels) where we get food and cycle a couple of miles along the Lake (a lot of up and down for the end of the day) past a family of wild pigs wandering on the road and down to a basic but beautiful forest campsite. The lack of anything resembling a bar in the area suggests we will not achieve our goal of watching the NCAA college basketball final.
Climbing into the forest above Silver City
Tim attempts once again to conjure a meal from dehydrated pasta before we organize ourselves for a fairly early start (not first thing as it's going to be cold) and get early to bed in anticipation of a tough day tomorrow.
