SEPTEMBER 19, DAY 18

FINAL DAY

SANTE FE, MN to ALBUQUERQUE, NM: 80 MILES 

The Final Day of my (our)  adventure of riding across the Rocky Mountains  has been lived (survived). The day started a  bit menancholy. It's  hard to describe but  one of those bittersweet moments where everyone his undeniably  happy to make it a wrap, but also sorry  knowing it's the end  of an incredible journey all returning to the highs and lows of daily  routine but all in the  security of our loved ones. In the end that is what fuels us. 

The day  was beautiful… clear, perfect, blue high desert skies. There were  a couple of moderate climbs  and the  only hiccup in the day for me  was a flat at the 25 mile mark forcing me to use my last inner tube of the  5 spares I brought.  One thing  was clear early on, that  today was about  reflecting on the last 3 weeks as opposed to riding. 

I'd SAY THIS RANCH WAS KICKIN' ASS? WOULDNT YOU? 

Our final lunch was  20 miles out of Albuquerque and everyone  lingered on a little longer than usual. There are some amazing characters in this group for which I have had the absolute joy and honor  of knowing. You might think an effort like this is  possible only  amongst a  bunch of retired people with nothing more than time on their hands  but  I am in the presence of  variety; including high-powered lawyers, physical therapists, and entreprenuers. Some I  have known from other PACTOUR rides others are new friends. But all of them exist driven by sheer passion, self-drivien goals  and  laser-vision dedication. I love surrounding myself with salt-of-the-world people. 

FINAL LUNCH: GRILLED CHEESE, TOMATOES AND HAM SANDWICHES.  WHAT THIS TOUR  SERVES  ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IS ALWAYS SO DELICIOUS!

THE GANG

In the past 3 weeks I've  managed to ride 2,022 miles and  climb nearly 100,000 thousand feet.  I leave from this having learned 3  really important things:

• No one conquers the Rockies.  We are simply tamed and humbled by them not the other way around. Regardless of your belief on how all this majesty came about,  These mountains are nothing less than authoritative  in their scale and glorious in their beauty.  A  powerful reminder of the vast scale of nature and how it is our duty and privilege to preserve them for future generations. "Lord, oh Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth" Psalm 8:9 

• Family is not an important thing, It's everything.  No matter your definition of "family" as lots of  groups could potenailly define  (biological/ atheltic/church/work) no life acheivement is  worth a hoot unless you have someone  to  share it with. At the hardest moments of this journey nothing lit the soul of  each athlete  more than sharing  about those most important to them. It was amazing to hear -- and share myself--  stories about  children, spouses, grandchildren. 

• Dont wait to live your life. I immigrated from Holland in 1953 at the age of 7 with my family of 7.  I was the 4th of 5 boys. Sad to say at 68 years young, I am the only living survivor of my family. I lost my mother to polio my father of natural causes but all of my  brothers are gone;  victims of  cancer, addiction and last year my youngest brother died one saturday while watering his yard  in is California home. Its melancholy at times. Point is, none of us know when our number is up and unfortunatley It's common for people to spend their whole life waiting  to start living  (when I have enough money, enough time, etc…) I've been victim of this myself. But now I know  that life is to be enjoyed not just endured!

We all arrived at the motel early afternoon and immediately began packing our bikes. Followed by an evening of music, a farewell banquet dinner and awards ceremony in old Albuquerque. It was really fun. 

PACK IT UP! 

BANQUET

JOB WELL DONE, JUST BEFORE BANQUET

PACTOUR STAFF 

Having been able  to share this experience with those close to me was truly rewarding and no-doubt therapeutic! I've had  over 2,000 "reads" on this blog, I had no idea I was remotely that popular!   Some  of you I know, many not  but I  feel that  you have become my friends and partners in this adventure. Thank you for sharing my experience with me. 

Life is an  experience to be enjoyed and shared with others. Don't wait to live your life … live your  life today!! 

Final tale of the tape

Todays miles  80
Total miles 2,022
Today's climb  3,000 feet
Total climbing on trip  96,000 feet
Hours in saddle 130

SEPTEMBER 18, DAY 17

CHAMA, NM to SANTA FE, NM: 95 miles 

Weather-wise we really scored as there have been some sketchy storm patterns swirling nearby and we were concerned with yesterday afternoon's  darkening skies. It turned out gorgeous;  bright blue and sunny not a cloud in the sky. As a matter of fact it was hot at the tail end of the day, nearing 90 degrees. 

Scenery-wise  today was one of the least inspiring  rides we've  had. 70%  of the ride was on the freeway shoulder. Plus (and it's highly possible  that I am going  delirous at this point) but  the  rock formations are starting to look frighteningly similar. (Minus camel rock below-- look closely). 

CAMEL ROCK… LOOKS A BIT LIKE E.T. TO ME 

This day was all about the flats…. and Im not talking about the road. There were over 30 flat tires! Myself  a frustrating  3 of them,  and they all occurred after the 90 mile mark. They were caused by pesky "goatheads";  small round shaped thorns.These things stick to tires like velco and cause slow leaks.  I had to sag in the last 5 miles since I was out of tubes and cartridges plus the temperature had risen to over 90 degrees. It was really annoying for alot of us. 

YET ANOTHER FLAT 

Our destination was  Santa Fe, NM . We  had a fun dinner with 6 of us,  with crepes and ice cream for desert. 

TOM, SCOTT AND ED -- MY PARTNERS IN CRIME 

This is the kind of treat you get after a riding 100 miles per day  (and I'll probably come home still having  lost  a few pounds) !

Tonight is just hanging out in the hotel room… this is what life on the road looks like after 17 days! 

  
Tomorrow is our final destination Albuquerque New Mexico! ONE MORE DAY! 

LIFE IS A JOURNEY NOT A DESTINATION!! 

Today's miles 95
Total miles this trip 1970
Today's climb 4,000
Total climbing  89, 730 

SEPTEMBER 17, DAY 16

PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO to CHAMA, NM (with wolf springs pass option) : 95 MILES 

The past 48 hours  have truly been amazing.  217 miles, 15 hrs in the saddle 16,000 feet of ascent…. this is the stuff a true cyclist lives for…IT'S ALL ABOUT THE CLIMB!  

THE 6TH PASS OVER 10,000 Feet

 A month ago I wasn't sure if I could climb at a high altitude and conquer this kind of daily mileage;  but I've learned I can… and  I love it! Lungs burning, heart racing, muscles exploding with power -- at 68 years young I've  never felt more alive! The thing about climbing is it takes all the focus; no more thoughts on  how your back aches, no more hooing and hawing  about painful  bunions,  burning saddle sores etc. It's just about getting up that darn hill! (although my feet are DONE!) 

Ahhhhh and the  views! The views  make it all worth it. I once heard  the best views are the ones you work for and that's been true on this trip. I've witnesses sights, have photos and  tales of adventures of things that most people don't  know exist! 






It felt so good to enter New Mexico today. Our 6th and final state! 

My phenomenal  roommate Scott Pretti (and former elite Ride-across-america-rider)  from Bethleham, PA who has been nursing an  achilles' tendonitis injury makes me look like a whimp. (Then again he is a bit younger at 45) 

He was not going to ride to wolf Ceek pass this morning (another optional "bonus" thing)  however when he heard me stirring at 4:45 am he had a change of mind.  He showed me up and  summited  in 2 hrs 10 minutes.  My time 2 hrs 30 minutes… Oh to be young again! But then again…  I feel young and that's what counts!  

VIEW OF WOLF CREEK PASS 

Tonight we are in Chana,  NM our highest elevation for an  overnight  stay at 7800 feet. The skies look very dark and threatening and a storm is pending.  We'll keep our fingers crossed as we've had such great weather. 

Tomorrow onto  SantaFe a beautiful artistic, mountain town. 

LIFE IS A CLIMB BUT THE VIEW IS GREAT!! 

Today's miles 95

Total miles.  1875

Today's climb 7933

Total climbing  85, 933

Max altitude 10, 863

SEPTEMBER 16, DAY 15

DURANGO, CO to PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO - 124 miles 

After two difficult days of riding,  today’s 75 mile ride was a welcome relief for some although there was an  optional "bonus" mile route that added an additional 50 (including a 25 mile climb)   for a total of 124. Only 8 of us on this tour, myself included,  opted for the extra. Maybe I need to get my head checked? 

The weather for today’s ride was perfect. We only had two sag stops today one at mile 23 and the other at mile 55 at Chimney Rock Monument. Pagosa Springs was our destination.

It was fun to end the day by sitting  in the San Juan  river to soothe our tired legs and joints while enjoying  a nice cold beer. 

We're all getting tired but only 3 more days left. Tomorrow we enter New Mexico our final state. 

 Today's miles 124
 Total   Miles 1674
 Today's climb 8400 feet
 Total climbing     76500   Max elevation 10,864

IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW SLOWLY YOU GO SO LONG AS YOU DO NOT STOP!! 

THE FINISH LINE IS NEAR! 

 

ED ENJOYING A BATH

SEPTEMBER 15, DAY 14

MONTROSE, CO to DURANGO, CO : 115 MILES 

I  just love it when a plan comes together and today it did! No flats,  no wrong turns, no solo riding and the scenery  from start to finish was the best we have had. 

There were three big Rocky Mountain climbs.   8,400 feet of overall elevation hitting  altitude over 11, 000 feet which was definitely a new high for me!   I could feel the lack of air and I felt quite light headed…. For that reason I'm glad today is done.

VIEW FROM  FIRST CLIMB OF THE DAY 

THE 3 BIG CLIMBS

VIEW OF OURAY, CO. -- LOOKS A LITTLE LIKE EUROPE

A REFLECTION OF OUR WORK! 

ANOTHER WAY OF GETTING HIGH IN COLORADO

Four days left. As exciting and challenging this has been I'm  looking forward to the end.  As Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz "there's no place like home".  I miss my wife Verla more every day. She is and has been the love of my life for the last 49 years and looking forward to more years with her. 

Next year we will be celebrating our 50th anniversary with a trip to to Holland, France and Spain.  No cycling other than cruisers with baskets and bells,  We will just be  doing the tourist thing  which sounds really great to me right now!

My daughters are amazing and my inspiration. Nichole is my riding companion and Stephanie my spin partner at Golds Gym.  Looking forward to wrapping my arms around them  when I return… missing all 5 of my grandkids too!  My oldest leaves for college the day I return, I will have the opportunity to say one last "goodbye" before he starts the first day of the rest of his life at Western Washington University!

Pagosa springs here we come! 120 miles tomorrow. Here's the actual profile… Nice big climb at the 100 mile mark will be the days biggest challenge. 

 Hope to get some decent sleep tonight as only got  five hours last night.

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME!! 
Today's miles 115
Total miles.     15553
Today's climb  8400 feet
Total climbing       68900 feet
Max elevation 11,018 feet