Chasing Strava PRs from Bisbee to the New Mexico Line

March 11, 2025 - 84 miles, 2000 ft elevation, Bisbee, AZ to Portal, AZ (via New Mexico border)

I was thinking the rides might become repetitive, but each day is unique. After Monday's challenging but relatively short ride, Tuesday's route and forecast were more promising. There was some headwind and some tailwind, but the headwind was mostly on downhill stretches, which is just the way I like my headwinds.

We started off at an easy pace down the hills out of Bisbee and maintained a moderate speed through Douglas.  After getting through Douglas, we took a turn to mostly tailwind and some really nice pavement with a slight ascent of 700 over about 10 miles.  After the water stop, we got some nice downhill and started picking up the pace to lunch.

At lunch, Anthony had an unfortunate fall riding slowly pulling into the dirt road where lunch was set up.  At the end of the day, Dennis had to drive him 90 minutes to urgent care where we found out he fractured his clavicle.  Devastated for Anthony.  He says he’ll be back in the fall to get it done next time.  Feel so bad for Anthony but he seems to be keeping positive.

Martin, Steve, and Terry entering New Mexico after a fun post-lunch 20 mile stretch.

After lunch, we had the opportunity to really get it going.  I was a little too excited and led all 20 miles to the New Mexico state line.  

After seeing multiple PRs and getting my one and only lifetime Strava leaderboard, we turned for the last 8 miles into the wind uphill.  I certainly found my limit as I struggled to get to the end.  That was the hardest stretch of riding for the trip.  Despite going very slow at the end, it ended up being 84 miles at 23.1 mph and set a new Strava 40k PR of 46:16; crazy what tailwind does!

Terry has his first and last Strava leaderboard thanks to some amazing tailwind.