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!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!)
THE 6TH PASS OVER 10,000 Feet
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 |
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
No comments:
Post a Comment