SEPTEMBER 14, DAY 13

GRAND JUNCTION, CO to MONTROSE, CO : 120 MILES

The end is in sight!  5 days of riding left,  3 hard ones (between 110-120 miles) and  2 moderate ones (less than 100). Funny how I classify riding  anything less than  100 miles as moderate. I guess it's all just relative. 

Today we went 120 miles plus I went a few extra  (we call them "bonus" miles out here) since I took a wrong turn early in the morning. Good thing I discovered that sooner than later. 

I also   had my first flat on this tour at the12 mile mark which once again meant that I would be conquering  most of the day solo. I've done alot of training and riding solo so its not really about being  lonely however company is always enjoyable. The main thing is  when riding  with others in a group you   benefit from the pace line. [For those of you who don't know a pace line   is a group of skilled cyclists riding close behind one another in a line, so that each cyclist can draft the cyclist in front, except, of course for the leader, who is taking a turn to pull the rest of the group. The riders take turns pulling and drafting.] This process is a very efficient way of riding as those benefiting the draft  conserve up to  30% of their  energy; a little rest in essence, allowing one to ride longer, faster and harder than while solo. This is also why many races (i.e. triathlon penalize and disqualify for drafting)   

Bottomline, I got  to do all the work myself today. ugh!  

…. AND WE START THE DAY

There was one major climb today 12 miles long with a steady grade of 8 to 12% reaching an altitude of 10,850 feet. 

THE CLIMB BEGINS  THESE VIEWS  EASE SOME OF THE PAIN AND FATIGUE! 

THE SECOND TIER RIDGE SHOWS TODAY'S CLIMB 

Lunch entertainment was Rebecca, Lon and Susan Halderman's   Daughter who played the accordion. There are all kinds of surprises out here!  (Lon and Susan own PAC TOURS)

The descent was 35 miles long and very fast at 40 plus mph. The ride into Montrose was particularly scenic today; luscious  green fields and luminous fall-colored  trees  were a stark  change from the dry rocky landscape of the few days past. 

CHOCOLATE MILK ANYONE? BOY THAT SOUNDS GOOD! 

NICHOLE AND ME ON A TRAINING RIDE

Writing this blog with the help of one of my amazing daughters Nichole  (who also shares my love of riding)  is a really fun experience for me. 
Re-living  my story on a daily basis to share with you who are following my adventure is very rewarding. Thank you for reading and posting notes of encouragement on my facebook page! 


LIFE IS A BEAUTIFUL RIDE INDEED!!

Tomorrow on to Durango Colorado 120 miles with 3 steep climbs.

Today's miles 120
Total miles     1, 440 (average of 110 miles/day)
Today's  climbing 8000 feet
Total climbing  60500 feet

Max elevation today 10, 850 feet ( the air is thin and fresh up at that altitude! )

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

SEPTEMBER 12, DAY 11

VERNAL, UT to RANGLEY, CO : 55 miles 

Yesterday's 150 mile ride was challeningly epic while  today's ride was gloriously enjoyable. We left Utah and entered Colorado our 5th state. Weather was  perfect; sun in our face, bright blue and not a  cloud  in the sky. The pace was fast 19mph and only 1,800 feet of climbing. We were all smiles…

Seeing America on a bike is truly a special experience, traveling at a slow speed over country roads as opposed to 75 mph in a car on freeways. The wind in your face not unlike sailing on the water, sometimes hours and hours of no noise  than the wind.

Green River near Vernal, UT.  Not that green, but  the  river on which John Wesley Powell launched his  1869 expedition into Grand Canyon from Green River Wyoming.

Rangely, CO -about a half-a-horse town.  Here only because in 1931 Chevron tapped into the massive Rangely oil field.  Also extensive coal and natural gas reservoirs.

People our tour have encountered  along the way seem to be very interested in what we are doing;  but most of them learning we are from the faced paced city life  would not trade places. Small town America is the greatness of this country; farmers, manufacturing, production.  Early this morning at 5:30 am I was having coffee in a local diner and a curious couple , clearly knowing I was an outsider  asked what I was doing. I explained I was  biking from the Canadian border to Albuquerque, NM.  They asked if I was riding a Harley I said "no I'm riding a Cinelli"  they said they never heard of it.  I told them it is an  Italian brand bicycle  they asked if it was fast and I told them as fast as I can pedal… it was pretty funny but you may have had to have been there. 

MY BABY 

We ended the day with an ice cream social. Here are some of the "cast" of this show; I am among very athletic, determined, vastly inspiring people! 

LON HALDERMAN (MIDDLE); OWNER OF PAC TOURS AND 2 TIME WINNER OF THE RAAM- RACE ACROSS AMERICA. FRONT RIGHT Mike and Joan Deltchmam. She has completed the race across America twice and he has done double ironman  in Canada. 
 

On left Steve Marshall  who did the PAC tour ride across  America in the elite tour 17 days (165 miles day) and man on right Bill Phillippi whose  son designs American Girl Dolls. 

Tomorrow 120 miles 8,000 feet climbing, landing in Grand Junction Colorado .

BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED!!

Today's miles 55
Total miles 1205
Today's climb 2000
Total climb   45500
 Avg speed today 19mph

SEPTEMBER 11, DAY 10

 EVANSTON, WY to VERNAL, UT : 150 MILES

Wow!  150 miles, 8 hours, 58 minutes  in the saddle with  8,775 feet climbing, reaching altitude of 8,428 feet with a 12 mile climb at 8-10% grade, DONE!

THE LONG ROAD AHEAD 

WE'RE TOUGHER THAN THESE ROCKS! 

The day was nothing less then epic albeit the toughtest day of cycling I've had on this trip.  I'm getting stronger as the ride continues even though I won't deny I am  very tired. My bunions are starting to really act up,  cycling  shoes are very un-comfortable especially when worn for 8 or more hours at a time. Injuries within the group are starting to pop up as well; some  are only able to ride part of the day because of injuries. Achilles tendon issues the  most common,  followed by knee problems. It's sad to see this happen, as we are all properly  trained through months of dedicaition  and this is a huge,  lifetime dream and goal for many.  Nonetheless this is an extreme challenge;  it's a long way to go and the journey and its toll should not be underestimated.  Unfortunately  no amount of training can predict the outcome of back-to-back days of riding miles in the triple digits.  So all in all,  I feel very fortunate that my feet and a saddle sores are my only problem so far. 

Our day started at 6:45 am; a breakfast of cereal, oatmeal, yogurt and coffee which took place in the laundry room of our hotel. I'm adjusting to eating early in the morning which is paying off for me. 

The first 25 miles of todays route was treacherous  mostly on the shoulder of interstate 80 heavily traveled by big rig trucks plus half of the road  under repair leaving only one lane each direction and a very narrow shoulder. Not a place we wanted to linger. We were glad to get off the freeway and back onto peaceful country roads and to our  first sag stop  at the 32 mile mark.

NOT A BAD STOP FOR A BITE! 

From there we had a steady,  strong tail wind reaching speeds of  35 miles on the flats, so the  next 60 miles were fast. 70 miles into the ride we were back into Utah and had  climbed 4,000 feet . The scenery was spectacular,  Flaming gorge and Alpine lake two of the more glorious sightings! 

PRETTY NICE BIKE ROUTE, YA THINK?

Mile 93 started   a 12 mile climb;  the longest climb so far on our tour with grades of 9 to 11% . At our maximum  elevation of 8428 feet our days work was done. 

The final 40+ miles were downhill… our sweet reward! 

TOUGH TIMES DONT LAST TOUGH PEOPLE DO!! 

Tomorrow on to Rangely Colorado .
Today's miles 150
Total miles    1149
Today's climb 9000 feet
Total climb     43500 feet

SEPTEMBER 10, DAY 9

SEPTEMBER 10: MONTPELIER, ID to EVANSTON, WY 


Today was a fabuolus  day!   94 miles with 2, 700 feet of climbing although we had  a pesky headwind.  Things are  becoming routine,  we've formed groups  based on various criteria; pace  probably the biggest factor. I have been doing most of my riding with the same group of about 8- 10 riders but there is a special four-some that are about the same age 62-67 (me the oldest). The 4 of us are among the faster of the older riders here.

BILL, ED, ME and TOM (left to right)

We passed by Bear Lake  about  20 miles long  and  lies in two states;  Wyoming and Utah. It's a lucious, large lake  that my wife,  Verla and myself spent time on when we lived in Utah in the early years of our marriage (late 60's). Utah is uniquely special to me as that's the state in which I landed after immigrating from Holland (as a 7 year old) and our 2 daughters (Nichole and Stephanie) were born. Being here brought back memories of many years ago.   

The only significant climb was out of the Bear Lake basin, a  5 mile climb reaching altitude of 7, 400 feet .  Once over the mountain, the terrain was fairly flat and you could "see forever"…..

LEADING THE WAY!

MILES TO FOREVER! 

Had  Lunch a really  neat ghost town called  Randolf . The  Lunch menu was my favorite; grilled ham and cheese sandwiches  with tomato.  

PAC tours does a really great job with the food! 

The chilly wind picked up considerably after lunch as it does most days;  but the last 20 miles were down hill and  with a tail wind.

Gonight we are in Evanston Wyoming population 12, 000 thousand.  Dinner tonight was  pork loin and ice cream for dessert at a local diner. Tomorrow is  one of the more challenging rides of the tour. A  big day of  150 miles with 8, 600 feet of climbing and 3 mountain passes. Knees are holding up, although I will admit I am a bit tired!

LIFE IS LIKE A ROLL OF TOILET PAPER….THE CLOSER YOU GET TO THE END THE FASTER IT GOES,  SO LIVE EACH MOMENT TO THE FULLEST!! 


 Today's miles 95
 Total miles  999
 Today's climb 2. 800 feet
 Total climbing to date     37,300 feet
 Avg speed today 18 mph