Day 10: Tucumcari, NM to Socorro, NM

 

Day 10 Summary: Tucumcari, NM to Socorro, NM

Starting Point: Tucumcari, NM
Ending Point: Socorro, NM
Daily Mileage: 285 miles (new single-day team record)

Summary:
On Day 10 of the Cannonball Sun, we embarked from Tucumcari, NM, and concluded our journey in Socorro, NM. We set a new single-day team record by covering 285 miles. The morning weather was favorable, but the afternoon presented us with scattered thunderstorms, adding to the day's challenges.

Technical Issues:

• We encountered a flat tire and broke more spokes on a problematic rim.
• A separate motor hub was damaged, causing the axle to get stuck in the suspension.
• To resolve these issues, we replaced the entire motor/suspension assembly.

Weather:

• The morning weather was nice, providing a smooth start to the day.
• The afternoon brought scattered thunderstorms, making the drive more challenging and limiting available solar energy.

Highlights:

• Despite the technical challenges, we successfully made it to our end-of-day location.
• The day ended on a high note with a great team dinner, celebrating our perseverance and teamwork.

Obstacles:

• Dealing with a flat tire and broken spokes.
• Addressing the motor hub damage and axle issue, which required replacing the entire motor/suspension assembly.
• Navigating through scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Conclusion:
Day 10 tested our resilience and technical skills, but we overcame the obstacles and set a new mileage record. The team's dedication and efficient problem-solving were crucial in making this day a success. We look forward to continuing our journey with the same spirit and determination.