Outdoor Philosophy

Harnessing the power of adventure to inspire environmental action

22 June 2016

Cycled into Albuquerque. Outskirts and roadworks for miles and then suddenly, downtown! Many usa cities don’t really seem to have a downtown but alburquerque certainly does. Swanky high rise hotels and offices, a pedestrian area, funky looking restaurants. I wanted to clean up a bit before meeting the mayor and not be miles away across the other side of town in the morning. This is tricky in a plush part of town on a tight cash budget without a credit card. But Chris, base-camp manager extraordinaire, had managed to persuade a hotel across from the mayor’s office to let him pay for my room over the phone from the UK (normally they are keen to see the credit card). So I arrived at the double-day hotel. Certainly madam, your room is on the 9th floor. And the bike? Just take it with you. So rocky and I rode upwards in an elevator full of people squeezing past his panniers to get in. I love it!!! And room 916 was a gorgeous cool haven. Had one of the best showers ever, fixed a punctured inner tube while reclining on a lounge chair and then read about cool city mayors propped up in a vast, vast bed . . .