I'll add some to the Gila discussion.  It takes forever to get anywhere.  A few years ago I had to take an elk hunter to the ER in Socorro after he slashed his thigh, 4 hours each way by jeep.  In bad weather the roads get wiped out and it can be weeks before they are repaired.  There are no real supplies available except Reserve or Silver City.  If you forget something you have to spend a day getting it and that is by car.  There are a lot of water sources there but not on the route.  The Aldo Leupold Wilderness area is part of the Gila.  For a wilderness area designation an area has to be large enough for a 2 week back packing trip.  The lower areas can be hot with no relief what so ever.  Up higher I have camped when it has been in the low teens.  That said it is a beautiful place.

For those heading to Cuba this will be south and south east of you.  We were sent some pictures from Los Alamos and White Rock and it is quite a sight.  You may get a view of the fire prior to the decent into Cuba:

Las Conchas Wildfire – June 27 8:00 am – New Acreage Figures
Posted on June 26, 2011 by lmlujan

Fire Name: Las Conchas

Time/Date Started: 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 26, 2011

Location: Jemez Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest; approximately 12 miles southwest of Los Alamos off NM 4 at mile marker 35. The fire started on private land.

Legal Description: T18N, R4E, SEC 4

Cause: Unknown, under investigation

Fuels: Mixed Conifer, Ponderosa Pine

Size: 43,597 acres, based on overnight infrared mapping. The fire burned actively all day to the north/northeast. Running, crowning and spotting up to a half a mile of the head of the fire was observed.

% Contained: 0

Resources Committed:Joe S. Reinarz’ Type 1 Incident Management Team has been ordered. Three helicopters, two Hotshot crews, nine hand crews, five dozers and thirteen engines have been fighting the fire and more are expected to arrive. This is an interagency fire fighting effort. In fire management we all work together. We are working with local, state and federal agencies.

Weather:Today’s red flag conditions (hot temperatures, low humidity, high winds) contributed to the intense fire behavior and rapid fire growth. For a complete weather forecast for tonight and tomorrow click here.

Structures/threats:Structures, powerlines and natural gas lines. The fire is approximately 1 mile southwest of the boundary of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).

Evacuations:Cochiti Mesa, Las Conchas, Bandelier National Monument, and campgrounds near the fire were evacuated today. There were approximately 100 residents evacuated from Cochiti Mesa and Las Conchas and no evacuees reported to the evacuation center at La Cueva Fire Station. Voluntary evacuations were also issued for White Rock and Los Alamos. Because these are voluntary evacuations, no evacuation center has been set up at this time.

If you live near the fire or near the Forest who should always be ready for emergencies including evacuations, the three-step process is easy to remember and implement:

Ready – Take personal responsibility and prepare long before the threat of a wildland fire so your home is ready in case of a fire. Create defensible space by clearing brush away from your home.

Use fire-resistant landscaping and harden your home with fire-safe construction measures. Assemble emergency supplies and belongings in a safe spot. Plan escapes routes. Make sure all those residing within the home know the plan of action.

Set – Act immediately. Pack your vehicle with your emergency items.

Remember your six P’s: people, personnel computers, pets, pills, papers and pictures.

Stay aware of the latest news and information on the fire from local media and your local fire department.

Go – Leave early! Follow your personal action plan. Doing so will not only support your safety, but will allow firefighters to best maneuver resources to combat the fire.

Road Closures:

NM 4 is closed at Jemez Falls Campground and NM 501.

Los Alamos National Labs:The Los Alamos National Laboratory will be closed due to the fire. All laboratory facilities will be closed for all activities and nonessential employees are directed to remain off site. Employees are considered nonessential and should not report to work unless specifically directed by their line managers. Employees should check local news sources, the LANL Update Hotline 505-667-6622 and the LANL web page www.lanl.gov for updates. All radioactive and hazardous material is appropriately accounted for and protected. LANL staff is coordinating the on-site response and supporting the county and federal fire response.

Bandelier National Monument:The Bandelier National Monument will be closed for at least three days due to the fire.

Summary: Active fire behavior has been observed with running and spotting on both sides of NM Hwy 4. Firefighters are currently conducting burnout operations (fighting fire with fire). Burnout operations consist of setting fire near containment line to consume fuel between the edge of the fire and the containment line.

Smoke: A smoke plume emitting black and grey smoke was visible today from Jemez, Bernalillo, Los Alamos, Cuba, Gallina, Santa Fe, NM 4, NM 84/285 and I-25. This afternoon, wind from the west pushed the smoke east and north toward White Rock, Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Tesuque, and Nambe and other surrounding communities. Other areas further to the east and notth may also experience smoke impacts. For more information on smoke impacts from the Las Conchas and Pacheco Wildfires visit: http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/predictive/outlooks/smoke/swcc_smoke_outlook.pdf. For more information on how to protect yourself from smoke visit: http://nmhealth.org/eheb/documents/Smoke_FACTSHEET_06.8.11_000.

Eric, I sent an e-mail to your Yahoo address.

Dave

Eric,  I would like a clarification.  I already purchased V. II the first day it came out, with this offer I would buy more copies but the problem is I don't know any deserving cyclist to give them too (plenty of undeserving ones).  Do you have a way of getting them to kids interested in cycling who can't afford them or maybe I should just have them sent to juvenile halls or group homes.  Any ideas on this would be appreciated.

If we are going to start giving restaurant reviews I'll add one.  Avoid The Three Bs in Grants.  My son's tomato soup looked like it had previously been rejected by someone else's body.  My steak?  I won't go there.

You have been warned.

Stay healthy.

Easy, Tiger .... the dude's spot still shows him sitting at the counter eating pie.  Still a couple hours and some climbing to come before the "Plains of SA".

Sorry about that I got 60 and 12 confused in my pre coffee state.  I hope he had two pieces of pie.

These guys are amazing!  Kurt looks like he is hitting the Plains of San Augustine already.  According to the weather report for Pie Town current winds are 4 out of the West and up to 20 later today and tonight.  They are supposed to shift to the SW in the next couple of days.  No head wind for now.  Starting Sunday there will be a slight chance of afternoon thunder showers, start of the monsoon? Wishful thinking in regards to the fire situation.

This morning's update on fire restrictions / closures from ABQ Journa:

Fire Restrictions
By Journal Staff on Fri, Jun 24, 2011
[Print-Friendly Version]
[Email This Story] view comments

Fire restrictions in the Santa Fe National Forest and the Valles Caldera National Preserve are moving into Stage III beginning at 8 a.m. today.

That means, unless an area is listed as open, it is considered closed to all uses. Areas that are open are under Stage II fire restrictions.

Here’s the status of various districts in the forest:

Coyote Ranger District: All forest lands in Rio Arriba County will remain open.

Cuba Ranger District: All forest lands in Sandoval and Rio Arriba counties are closed except for:

n Areas north of N.M. 126, with the exception of the area north of N.M. 126, south of Eureka Mesa and west of F.R. 126S to the forest boundary.

n San Pedro Parks Wilderness, Clear Creek and Rio de las Vacas Campgrounds.

n Clear Creek Day Use Picnic Area.

Jemez Ranger District: All forest lands in Sandoval County are off-limits, except:

n Fishing is only allowed 75 feet on either side of the San Antonio and Jemez rivers from La Cueva Picnic Area South to La Junta Fishing Access.

n Fishing Access at La Junta, Las Casitas, San Diego, River’s Bend, The Bluffs, Rincon, Dark Canyon.

n Vista Linda, San Antonio, Jemez Falls campgrounds.

n Spanish Queen, Battleship Rock, La Cueva, Las Conchas picnic areas.

n Spence Hot Springs and the access trail from N.M. 4 (about 0.25 miles), San Diego Overlook, Jemez Falls Trail head and trail to Jemez Falls (less than 0.5 miles).

n Sandoval County Solid Waste Transfer Station Special Use Permit site (in Cañon).

n F.R. 106 to Thompson Ridge Estates, F.R. 105 to Sulphur Springs residential area, F.R. 10 from N.M. 4 to Sierra De Los Pinos residential development, and F.R. 134 to Vallecitos de Los Indios.

n Fenton Lake State Park is also open.

Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District: All forest lands in Santa Fe, San Miguel and Mora counties are closed, except for:

n Jacks Creek, Field Tract, Cowles, El Porvenir and EV Long campgrounds.

n Dalton Day and Windy Bridge Picnic day use areas.

n Fishing is allowed 75 feet on either side of the Pecos River and 120 feet up and downstream from the Windy Bridge Picnic Day Use Area and Dalton Day Use Area.

n Rowe Mesa and El Pueblo/Anton Chico.

n The Pecos National Historical Park is open.

n State Game & Fish recreation sites including Bert Clancy, Terrero, Jamie Koch and Mora camping and fishing areas will remain open with restrictions.

Española Ranger District: All forest lands in Los Alamos, Santa Fe and Rio Arriba counties are off limits except for:

n National Forest System lands north of FSR 144 (Abiquiu area).

n Borrego Mesa and Borrego Mesa campground.

n Area south of the Santa Fe Watershed boundary (Atalaya Mountain).

n Area south of N.M. 475 up to Hyde State Park boundary.

n Black Canyon Campground.

n Caja Del Rio and Caja Del Rio Headquarters Well.

n The Bandelier National Monument visitor facilities, developed campgrounds, and interpretive trails within Frijoles Canyon are also open.

Valles Caldera National Preserve: Public access to the Preserve is open through the Valle Grande Staging Area.

Areas remaining open in the national forest are under Stage II fire restrictions, which prohibit a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, wood or stove fire; using an explosive; smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building; possession or use of any type of firework; operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine; welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame; possessing or operating motorized vehicles off forest roads, including but not limited to cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles and ATVs.

 

Now I'm really pissed off.  I went for a training ride today and I went by the lbs to have the timer issue resolved.  The "mechanic" told me the Node 2 doesn't have a ride timer!!!  I explained that I have been using the timer everyday since I purchased the computer and it worked fine until they set the clock.  He proceeded to randomly push buttons and finally resorted to the internet.  He finally got it to work.  He told me the problem was I had turned off the power to the computer???  I guess he turned it back on and the nonexistent timer appeared, what ever. 

I left to continue my ride but it immediately went to the clock function and would not go back.  I went back to the shop for more random button pushing.  It appeared to work so I went on my way only to discover the cadence function no longer worked and the bottom display was set to be a trip odometer on both sides, once again about as useful as tits on a bull. 

On my fourth return to the shop I was begging that we all just cut our losses and take the damn thing off my bike.  More random button pushing followed by more internet research and then we re-paired the cadence sensor and it started working but it still had the double display for the trip odometer instead of the trip odometer on one side and cadence on the other.  Furious internet research followed and more button pushing and it worked (for now).

I asked the "mechanic" if they have sold many of these things and he said yes and that her even had one on his motorcycle ().  I asked him how the cadence function worked for him and he said "great".  F-ing moron!!!

I am the first to admit I am no computer whiz but I have always been able to learn how to get the info off a bike computer I need and not have these sort of problems.  It doesn't appear to be just me as the "mechanic" had a devil of a time and he claims to have sold many of these.  The documentation that comes with the Node 2 is worthless and you have to go on line to find a real manual.  That isn't going to do you much good on the second day of a five day trip.  Before Trek got a hold of the Bontrager name it used to stand for a certain quality.  My wife even has a vintage Bontrager bike and it is great.  The Node 2 is a massive, expensive disappointment.

Maybe if you are one of those guys who likes tinkering with the latest cell phone and you are buying it for a non-touring road bike it might be all right.  For me it is like hanging out with my ex-wife, something to be avoided.

One more thing, I am switching shops, enough is enough.

Both I and II are great reads and for a good cause.  I hope someone steps up so there will be a III.

It looks like the scope of the fire restrictions in Santa Fe NF will be announced later today:

Pacheco Wildfire Update, Santa Fe National Forest – June 23 9 a.m.
Posted on June 22, 2011 by lmlujan

Acres: 5,500

Start date: June 18, 2011 Cause:

Under Investigation

Location: 2 miles north of Santa Fe Ski Basin Containment: 10 percent

Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine Terrain: Steep, rugged

Resources: 18 crews, 14 engines, 8 water tenders

Total personnel: 625

Available air support: 9 helicopters

Summary: Yesterday afternoon the slope and fuels aligned, along with hotter temperatures and lower humidity, creating a 500 acre push and a noticeable column above Rio Capulin. Firefighters maintained and improved the established anchor point and continued fire line construction on the south and west sides of the fire perimeter. The southwest line was mopped up 200 feet inside the fire perimeter to prevent reignition. Considering firefighter safety and the topography, hand crews constructed indirect contingency lines west and south of the fire perimeter. Helicopters completed water drops on the fire and delivered supplies to firefighters. The fire remains within the Pecos Wilderness.

Fire behavior is expected to intensify today as the weather is predicted to be hotter, dryer and unstable. This weather pattern is expected to last through the weekend. Fire progression is anticipated; however, firefighters are prepared for an increase in fire behavior. Hand crews will extend the indirect contingency line on the west and south perimeters. Helicopters will be used for water drops on the fire and to deliver supplies to firefighters as needed.

Cause: The Santa Fe National Forest is requesting that anyone having knowledge of or having been in the vicinity of the Pacheco Fire (north of Aspen Ranch by the Borrego Trail) between June 17 and June 18 please contact the Santa Fe National Forest at (505) 438-5372.

Threats: The Santa Fe watershed, Santa Fe ski area, Nambe Pueblo lands, Tesuque Pueblo lands and Tesuque Peak communications site remained threatened. No evacuations are in effect at this time within Pacheco Canyon. Residents of the area should remain aware of changing conditions as fire spread increases.

Smoke: Smoke will remain a concern in the fire area until the summer rains come. Atmospheric inversions at night may result in smoke being present in Santa Fe, Tesuque and Nambe, particularly in those areas near the foot of the mountains in the mornings. Smoke sensitive persons in the area need to be alert to this possibility and be prepared to take any necessary precautions. For more smoke information and air quality forecasts, please visit the New Mexico Environment Department’s website at: http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/aqb/WildfireSmokeResources.htm.

Other websites with useful information concerning smoke are: http://smoke.airfire.org/sw-outlook, http://smoke.airfire.org/sw-outlook/map, http://smoke.airfire.org/sw-monitoring.

Road and Fire Area Closure: New Mexico Route 475, also known as Hyde Park Road, and Artist Road are closed at mile post 9, at the Forest boundary. Forest Service Road 102 to Pacheco Road is also closed. A Fire Area Closure has been enacted. Review it at: www.fs.fed.us/r3/sfe/conditions/index.html

Open and active: Communities in and around the Santa Fe National Forest remain open and accessible including Tesuque, Nambe, Santa Fe, and Pecos (including the Highway 63 corridor).

Fire Restrictions: The entire Santa Fe National Forest, encompassing 1.6 million acres, is under Stage II fire restrictions due to severe drought conditions and extreme fire danger. The Santa Fe National Forest includes National Forest System lands near Jemez, Cuba, Coyote, Gallina, Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Espanola, Pecos, Las Vegas and Mora. Under Stage II fire restrictions, campfires, smoking, explosives, fireworks, welding and driving off road are not allowed. Chainsaw use is not allowed from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Internal and external combustion engines must have properly installed, maintained and effective spark arresters. For a copy of the Stage II fire restriction order, please visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/sfe/.

The Santa Fe National Forest will be implementing Stage III Fire Restrictions across the Forest beginning Friday, June 24th. Stage III Fire Restrictions will restrict access to/use of certain parts of the Forest, yet there will be recreational opportunities available. A detailed list of areas that will be off limits (restricted) and areas that will remain OPEN will be available sometime today. Open areas will remain under Stage II restrictions.

Additional information, maps and photos may be found at: www.inciweb.org
ADVERTISEMENT

On the fire stuff Gov. Martinez spoke today on the issue and said to expect more closures by the end of the week.  These closures tend to have a cascading effect.  The Santa Fe fire puts it right in the state gov's face.  I was speaking to a friend in Santa Fe today and she said it was so bad she was almost in tears.  I read it was about 5,000 acres and only 5% contained.  The Santa Fe fire is no where near the route but it is drawing firefighting resources from all over the area.  With fire fighting resources being strained I think more closures are likely.  After the Los Alamos fire people in Northern NM are pretty fire sensitive.

I am holding off a trip to my place near Magdalena until the fire stuff settles down a bit.  I cut through the area of the Wallow fire to get there so there isn't much point in doing that right now.

The guys at Beaverhead and TC are good for info south of HWY 60 but I am not so sure of that north of 60.  BLM has a large office in Santa Fe and each of the NFs in Northern NM has a web site with up to date info on restrictions and closures.  My understanding is many of the NFs are at Stage Two and Stage Three is a complete closure.

 Mat, the closures I am referring to are due to the drying conditions in the NF.  In MN the course goes through numerous jurisdictions but the weather doesn't give a damn about political lines.  With the heat and drying more closures can come on fast.  No district supervisor wants to be the guy who kept his turf open and then has a fire.  Futhermore, it is cheaper to manage a closed park so there is a subtle motivator to jump on the bandwagon.

More NM closure info: http://www.demingheadlight.com/ci_18259846

Parts of Cibola NF in NM have been closed due to Stage 3 fire conditions.  The story is on the FS web site for Cibola NF.  I am not sure if the restrictions go far enough west to affect the course but it might be prudent to check the various jurisdictions on the route in NM for restrictions and closures.

I have resolved most of the issues I was having with the node 2.  The last one was the heart rate monitor wasn't paired right at the shop.  They took care of that for free today.  They also set it to local time and now I can't get the trip timer to go.  I am sure it is just my stupidity compounded by extremely poor instructions,that would be stupidity squared.  I really want to get the timer working again because I don't dare try the interval function.  I admit it I even struggle with a cell phone.

[specifically]

humm, I used some no-doz and Aleve to great effect.  I also took my percribed daily simvastatin and used some Orajel mixed with my AD on the saddle sores

But I guess I am missing the boat, specifically what else might I have used to race un-clean??

With such a strong 'result guarantee' I would really really like to know

Provigil comes to mind.  The military gives it to fighter pilots for long missions.  I have an Rx for it for my MS like condition.  I have used it driving across country and it is like Gee it is 4:00 am, it was just noon.  I don't like taking it because it screws up my resting heart rate which I monitor to make sure I am not over training.  I have never exerted myself fully while using it and I would certainly talk to a doc before trying to exert myself while taking it.

Last year (I think) Matt Lee had his bike temporarily lifted from a food stop while he was inside. Thankfully his spot unit was on his bike and not his body and with a quick phone call and some desperate panic he was able to track down his bike and carry on.

I hope there wasn't any forward progress involved.

The locals really do go out of their way to help the racers. It is like a giant stadium and they are part of the event and want everyone to succeed. I was overwhelmed with their hospitality, very heartwarming. The locals are probably the best kept secret of the whole event.

Nothing special, just common courtesy in small town America AKA fly over country.  And yes these businesses really need every dollar spent these days.  If were are not careful they will end up going the way of the independent book seller, extinct. 

Funny you should be mentioning that, I have been thinking about using some of the high tech sail cloth out there for bike applications.  Just goes to show how rare original thought is.