McBRAAM Stage 7: Gallup, NM to Albuquerque, NM..."Getting our kicks on Route 66."

834.1 miles ridden.
32,891 feet climbed.

We crossed a continental divide today at 7,223 feet above sea level. Our first 30 miles of the 144 total were gradually uphill, then gradually downhill almost all the way into Albuquerque. We averaged over 20 mph. Funny how only 1 flat tire today made us feel lucky, but that's what a road debris disaster like yesterday will do to you.

We spent many miles on Route 66, and it was really enjoyable as it was downhill, fast, nicely paved, and hardly traveled at all. It's kind of sad rolling through tiny towns whose time has passed them by only because I-40 siphoned off all of their visitors. Must've been tough times for the locals as they saw their towns wither. I'd love to be able to see how some of them looked in their prime.

Even with such a long ride, we rolled in comfortably under daylight. Then, to keep with the day's  theme, ate dinner at the Route 66 Diner.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1218348275
https://www.relive.cc/view/1218348275

1 continental divide summited
1 flat tire, trending down
1 homemade blueberry pie slice with ice cream eaten

Hotel: Knight's Inn, 1 of 5 stars (lousy breakfast and inflated price for shabby room).
Restaurant: 66 Diner, 4 of 5 stars (comfort food, but still good, and did I mention the blueberry pie?)

Some scenery:

Evidence of the pie