Chambers, AZ to Gallup, NM 04-22-2026 Day 12

Yesterday was a day and night of fixing punctured tire tubes. Today started pretty well, especially for me because there was a real breakfast available to us. Eggs, sausage and pancakes from a machine we first encountered in Williams. I basically had a second breakfast when I went back to my room and had the two small breakfast sandwiches I had purchased yesterday as a backup plan. My bike had two new tubes and Ron’s work still was holding air this morning. Neither of us had any new tubes left – just the patched ones we fixed last night. We planned a stop at a Walmart at the edge of Gallup, since there were no bike shops there.

Like yesterday, we were going to be spending most of our time on I-40, since that’s all there is of Route 66 in this area. We took the on ramp right from our hotel parking lot onto I-40, where we stayed for the next 25 miles. The shoulder was fairly smooth. Also like yesterday, it was a cool 56 and light wind at the start, but over the next two hours the temperature rose about 10-15 degrees and so did the wind speed along with it. The good news was that it was mostly tail wind, so we were moving at a fast clip. The rock formations along the road were something to see.

After 25 miles, we pulled into a rest area at Lupton to use the restrooms, get a drink and decide whether to try the frontage road, “The original Route 66”. We took the frontage road out of the rest area because the pavement was good and the traffic relatively light. The difference in noise alone was worth it. About that point, we crossed out of Arizona into New Mexico and into a new time zone.

Right away there were a few souvenir and novelty shops that we enjoyed from the road.

We enjoyed the next 18 miles off the interstate and the wind was still our friend, covering our backs. At this point we merged with Business I-40 or Route 66 into the town of Gallup.

Given the problems we had with flats, our first order of business was to get to a Walmart nearby to get some new tubes and more sunscreen for me. We got the supplies and then less than a mile down the road, Ron realized he had a flat AGAIN! At least if was on the front wheel. But since we had rotated tires on our bikes last night, it was actually the same tire! We were beginning to wonder if we had missed something the night before, since Ron had gone over it thoroughly and removed 4 different fragments. But as we was pumping the tire, hoping he wouldn’t need to change or patch the tube, I noticed yet another new steel wire fragment sticking out of the tire. So, he started the procedure of changing it.

At this point we were just under 3 miles from our hotel. When we got to within about a mile, we were stopped by a long freight train. That’s when I noticed my front tire felt a little mushy. I was now losing air. It was a pretty slow leak, so I could afford to pump it up while the train went by and then ride the remaining distance to the hotel. Both of us have repairs to do yet tonight as I write this.

Ron, just on the other side of the RR tracks heading for the hotel

When my wife Becky and her friends drove along Route 66 last year they stayed at the El Rancho. It is filled with the history of Hollywood westerns. Many of the famous movies used locations in the area and their stars stayed at this hotel.

All the rooms are named after famous stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood. We are staying in the Errol Flynn Suite. His “Adventures of Robin Hood” is one of my favorites of all time. It was “The Santa Fe Trail” that is featured in the hotel.

For me, as an old movie buff, this place is heaven. There are pictures of The Golden Age of Hollywood, Movie posters, and a “manual elevator” we used to transport our things.

There is even a secret room on the second floor where we stayed. But only if you can find it!

Without a doubt, this has been the coolest place we have stayed so far. It will be hard to beat. Though it isn’t a western, “Play it again, Sam!”

The ride stats are here and here. Since my GPS accidently cut my ride short at the Walmart, I want credit for the last few miles, too! And the 3D imagery here.

The Not So Lone Rider