SEPTEMBER 13 DAY 12

RANGLEY, CO to GRAND JUNCTION, CO : 90 + 25 optional  (Total 115 MILES)

Today I made a bunch of huge riding mistakes of which I know better: 

1.  Didn't eat enough for breakfast which I would pay for sooner than later (remember I told you early morning eating  is a constant struggle for me).

2. I was way  over dressed. It started out cool but quickly warmed  and my body was over heating and lead to all kinds of problems.

3. I  went out way too hard too early.  My pace was not sustainable for the entire ride. 

4.  I didn't stop at the first stop and refuel with food and water .

At the 25 mile point I  was forced to make  the decision to slow my pace down in an effort to recover from these mistakes as the  30 mile point marked a very steep 5 mile climb.   Not doing so would only lead to me  blowing up  and not finishing the ride. I have never not finished a ride in my entire life and today was not going to be that day.  Unfortunately this meant that I would have to ride by myself losing my pace line.  So I stopped and removed my wind breaker, arm warmers and I   fueled, hydrated and hoped that my core temperature would come down. Fortunately within a  few minutes I was feeling better physically but really bothered  to watch my group pull away. But, I would forge on….. 

TODAYS RIDING PROFILE 

The lone soldier,  I reached  the start of the climb feeling good. Each mile of the climb I was getting stronger   and picking up the pace, at the top (8,200 feet)  I had completely recovered. The sun was shining and  a wave of serenity washed  over me that I can only explain simply as sheer gratitude to my creator for strong legs and healthy body  and my character trait of perserverence. 

"This is the day that The Lord has made rejoice and be glad in it" : Psalm 118:24

"THE CLIMB" : THIS PHOTO SAYS IT ALL 

REACHING THE TOP OF 8,200 FT CLIMB

I DID IT 

The 30 mile decent to lunch was fast, and lasted just over an hour. I'll tell you its about as  fun as it gets in life  to just cruise downhill on a bike for one hour. 

Following  lunch there was a choice of adding 25 miles to the base distance of 90 miles by  adding a loop through the Colorado National  Monument.

This  meant  more climbing to the tune of an additional 3,000 feet. Only a third  of the riders made this decision, me being one of them.  It  was the best decision I have made this trip as you can tell by the pictures. The scenery was beyond words and I hardly noticed the additional climbing and elevation. Despite  the mornings mistakes,  the day turned out perfect, not unlike life...

GIVE UP TOO SOON AND YOU MIGHT MISS SOMETHING AMAZING. DON'T STOP WHEN YOUR'E TIRED STOP WHEN YOU ARE DONE! 




  Tomorrow 120 miles and over 8000 feet climbing.

  Today's miles 115
  Total miles   1320
  Today's climb 7000 feet
  Total climbing    52, 500 feet