Brave, foolish, or just plain nuts?

Ok, so it was a little windy yesterday.  Bill, Brian, and I wanted to do another lap, but after descending the Mesa Verde road, being sandblasted, blown sideways, and nearly brought to a standstill by the wind, wimpiness got the better of valor, and we slogged home.  Who needs miles when you've got the wind?

Sunday Ride!

There are rumblings for a Sunday ride, weather permitting. Probably Mesa Verde. Meet at 11am, Park de Vida north lot (just north of the Rec Center) and we’ll roll out from there.

1st checkpoint @ mile 45

After a low of 26 around Coolidge, it was starting to warm up.  High would be about 75.  Finished in 13:04 maintaining 80% HR or less.  Perfect early season base miles!

Casa Grande 300k

Riders collect at the start of the ride.  Thanks Round Trip Bike Shop for opening at 5am!

Michael
Sent from my mobile phone

La Platas from Mesa Verde

Jan 23 Mesa Verde recap

Beautiful day, if a bit raw, for a ride up Mesa Verde. Nice 42 miles from Dolores and back. Last 2 weeks I've chatted with 2 rangers at the gate, and neither had a problem with a solo rider going as far as the tunnel and back - hopefully that friendly attitude will continue with 3 or more riders. Only 2 trails of ice across the road, making for a speedy descent.

Who's Up For a Sat ride?

Hola Ciclistas,


How about some base miles on Saturday? Assuming of course that it has dried out by the end of today, which it looks to be doing. Cortez to Mesa Verde, or Mancos, or whatever.

Please let me know by reply e-mail – I was thinking 11am Park de Vida north lot.

Michael

'Cross Volunteers Needed!

Hola Ciclistas:
Planning is well under way for the 3rd annual Dolores 'Cross race on Sat. Nov. 6th (see poster above). We need volunteers! Please help out and support a really cool cycling event in Montezuma County!
Contact me or ciclistasdelrio@gmail.com

Last Chance day 3, more detail

Slept well for about 4 hours, thankfully. Up at 1am, off by 1:40 (too slow!), and really started slow to warm up the knees and stretch the achilles. Little did I know, I was being watched as I left the Empire motel - and a few miles later Henk and Gary rode up on me, and we chatted logistics. I wanted a picture of the state line, so rode on ahead, then caught back up to them after they passed. We're not in Kansas anymore! Chatted some more, then I pulled ahead as I felt good after my easy warm-up. After Idalia, however, I really started to drowse, and felt a little queasy. I think I may have slept a little on the bike around 4am. My body decided it was done with liquid food for the rest of the ride, so I started checking the cue sheet for the next store to get some solid food. Much to my surprise, as I pedalled through Joes, Charlie was on the side of road with his idling truck. He shouted encouragement as I passed, but I was puzzled - that could only mean that Andrea was behind me at this point, and that was not a good sign for her.

Well, on to Cope, where I hoped the store would be open. I was 45 mins early, but Charlie was there to save the day with an extra peanut butter bagel of Andrea's. She came powering through as I was eating, and Charlie explained that Thursday had been a bad day. She had slept in Idalia, and I passed her before she started out. Now it all made sense. So, on to Anton, and a few miles later I catch Andrea with a flat. I helped her change it and we rode together to Anton. After riding much of the first day with her, and not expecting to see her again, this was a pleasant surprise. She had another quick control, while I took my time and bought burritos.

Heading to Byers, I felt great. In fact, since Norton yesterday, except for the hour or so around 4am this morning, I had been feeling strong on the bike. Not super fast, but fast enough and strong out of the saddle over the rollers. (My problem was I was sore and tired off the bike at the controls, which made it slow going to get back on). Unfortunately, somewhere between Linden and Last Chance, my left knee failed me. It was too sore to get out of the saddle, either to power over the rollers or stretch. So I slowed way down - had to spin up the rollers, and coast downhill to stretch, very frustrating. Rolled in to Byers and decided a short break might do the knee some good. Showered and took advantage of Susan's awesome grilled cheese sandwiches and stocked coolers, thanks Susan! Julie was also there, saying Colin was plugging along having left Atwood about midnight. Lots of people arrived while I was there - Henk & Gary, Vernon & Paul, Colin, and John Lee.

Finally, I pulled myself away, and yes! the knee was feeling better. And the winds were tail and cross-tail! A nice helping hand for the last 100 miles. But it was hot, maybe 95. On the way to Keenesburg, there was an irrigation fountain by the side of the road. I saw it about 200 yards away, and there was no hesitation when I arrived: dropped the bike, waded through the ditch and stood under the COLD water for 10 seconds, so refreshing! I love biking in Colorado, where your clothes dry in mere minutes. Back on the bike, with the winds cooling me further, I enjoyed more grilled cheese, and felt nearly as fresh as day 1. Fast roads to Platteville for the final control, arriving at 7pm.

Well, I had 3 hours to get to Louisville if I wanted to break 67 hours. But I needed food, and yet again I had a slow control - somehow I ended up having to average 17mph to finish by 10pm. That was a tall order given my failing knee. But, hey, I'd been doing this for more than 64 hours already, might as well give it everything I had left. And so I did, 'till about 10 miles to go (only 10 miles!!), when my mind knew I couldn't make 10pm, and my body completely gave up. Cursing myself for all the wasted time at controls, I limped in at about 9mph, finishing at 10:13. Almost fell asleep in the shower, but once in bed, and removed from the immediate disappointment of missing the goal, I had to admit I was pretty psyched with my first 1200k - and lots of lessons learned!

Last Chance day2, more detail

A big thanks to Brent for staffing the Oberlin motel, and thanks to RMCC for making this possible! Took forever to get settled for a mere 3 hour of sleep, but I did have to replace a slow flat (goathead!). Slept well for an hour and a half, tossed and turned for the other hour and a half. Groggy and inefficient, finally leaving at 12:30am. After a few miles felt better, and made good time to Norton, watching the lights of farms and towers come and go over the rollers. Somewhere before Phillipsburg, as I was feeling really drowsy, got chased by 3 phantom dogs coming from the right. Never saw them, but heard their barking and running. Got up and sprinted for 30 seconds, one little dog was right with me the whole way on the shoulder yapping. That woke me up! Passed by 3 sets of riders already heading back, think it was Mark, Tom K, and Peter and Russell. Had to stop to put on a jacket and change headlight batteries, but made Phillipsburg as I was getting dreary again. Cup of coffee and dawn gradually woke me up again on the way to the turn-around in Kensington. As I pulled up to the PO, Colin's wife Julie, running support for him, arrived and gave me a Capri juice!

OK - heading back to Colorado! But it's uphill and wind against - ugh! That first leg back to Phillipsburg was a real psychological test, as the real work began. Soon saw many riders still outbound - Colin, Vernon & Paul, John Lee, Val & Robin, and many others. Took some time at the Phillipsburg control to resupply and grab some solid food (nothing like a cheddarwurst fresh from the heat-lamps!), Colin arriving just before I left. Did not make great time to Norton, had trouble focusing and keeping the pedals turning - until Colin caught me, that is. Thought I'd ride his train for a while, but he really put the hammer down and it was all I could do just to stay in his slipstream. Then we'd start up another roller, I'd be at my limit, and he'd sit up and wave me past for my pull! Gahh! We'd crest the top, he'd come by, and I'd have to sprint again to keep his wheel. Finally, on the descent into Norton, my lower back told me that I shouldn't keep this up, no matter the headway we were making. Colin stopped off at McDonalds where Julie was waiting for him, and I pressed on after getting my card signed.

Outside of Norton, I saw Tammie off her bike looking at her rear wheel - she'd split a sidewall, so I gave her my spare tire. "No problem, I said, "I've got a boot patch if it comes to that." Little did I know.

Up till now it had been overcast with even some drizzle, but the sun was finally making an appearance. Still good riding temperatures, but starting to warm up. The small-critter road-kill littering the shoulder in west central Kansas? - frogs! Boy there were a lot of them, just glad I didn't run over any live ones.

In Oberlin, Julie greeted me with another Capri juice and Pringles. Thanks, Julie! It was like I had my own support crew. Slathered on sun screen and headed to Atwood as Colin arrived, looking hot and tired. Seven miles shy of Atwood, after being battered by the turbulance of huge oversized vehicles, my rear tire went flat, and sure enough, I had a split sidewall! I laughed. It seemed to take forever to get the boot in place and the new tube in, I needed 3 hands. I was sure Colin would pass me, but he wasn't to be seen, and I was soon in Atwood, scarfing pizza and soda. Thanks Beth and Brent! Jim was staffing too, but was taking a well deserved nap while I resupplied. Oh - Brent changed my rear tire with a spare I had in my drop bag - thanks a ton, that saved me so much time!

Off to St. Francis with the sun in my eyes. A nice afternoon ride, but I really appreciated when the sun dropped below the horizon. Made the Empire Motel at deep dusk, showered, ice for my knees, and fell asleep as I was posting a blog update!