Today's ride was a relatively short 75 miles. It seems weird to say that 75 miles is short, but it really is a drop in the bucket as far as the grueling dedication it took to get my self ready for this adventure. I started my training in mid January and logged over 8,500 miles on my bike through August. (this is more than the distance from Seattle to Chicago back and forth twice). The most difficult part off this kind of venture is the training as 90% of my training in the winter months was solo in Arizona (there were very few takers for long rides as those people clearly have more sense then me). This summer was different as I was able to train with some spectacular riders, several men training for Ironman for the bazillionth time -- including Ed Wong and Mike Nelson who are very good friends. On the weekends I rode with a very fast, young group of riders including my daugher Nichole and her husband Jeff, Simon Van Rheenen, Jim and Shannon Trebig (doing Ironman Wisconson on Sunday--good luck!) , Joel Glass, Gentry and Alexie McGrath amongst others. Nichole and I have been riding and racing for 10 years we realized this summer! I have been riding with Jeff, Gentry and Ed for more than 25 years ! We always have a grand old time!
Anyway, more about today….. The first 50 Miles were at a steady climb off 2 - 3 % much of it on a road under repair with chip seal which is a base of soft asphalt overlaid with crushed stone aggregate. Cyclists dislike chip seal because it is a rough ride, slick and it very slow going.
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| CHIP SEAL - UGH! |
The scenery once again was spectacular much of it along a refreshing rivers and deep-blue lakes on of which is "earthquake lake" a lake created by an earthquake in 1959. 
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The last 20 miles were downhill and fast. Just like I like it.
Tonight and tomorrow we are in the town of West Yellowstone. Tomorrow is a day off, and our original plan was to ride anyway however we have decided that we are actually going to take the day off and we will rent a rental van and travel through Yellowstone park touristy things the way normal (?) people do.
In the last six days I've put in over 600 miles. Overall I'm riding strong, but the body is not 25 anymore and my back sometimes goes into spasms, and my feet really hurt from the biking shoes. I'm ready for a recovery day.
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| LOVING LIFE!!! |
Sunday will be long, difficult day heading to Jackson hole Wyoming (137 miles) with some major climbs.
LESSON FOR TODAY: CYLCING IS LIKE LIFE, IF YOU'RE COASTING YOUR'E PROBABLY GOING DOWNHIL!!
Miles today 75
Total miles 600
Today's climb 3000 feet
Total climb 23500 feet
Max elevation today 6700 feet
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