As I indicated in the last post, I've called it a ride. Today's stage is extra long (106 miles) because we are starting in Cortez, not Mancos. That added 18 miles to the 88 already scheduled. Mike woke up at 4:30 AM to get on the road as early as possible. Cortez is in the desert and the idea is to get to Durango before the heat comes up. It was already over 60 degrees that early.
I was so hung over from last night I can't even imagine how Mike got going this morning. His sister-in-las Kathleenn also got going at 5 and was riding the first half hour in the dark. I clearly am way too much a lightweight for this crowd. I mean this was the second century in a week over some of the most difficult terrain you can ride in the US.
The night before we had set up with Kathkeen's husband Fred that I would ride back to Pagosa Springs with him and their friend Cheryl who had to bail on the last two stages with a strained Achiles Tendon. Fred has a multiple bike carrier on his Subaru wagon so he could cary both of our bikes with no problem. We did have to send our luggage with the sherpa service. More on that later.
After getting to have breakfast, we rolled out about 7:30. I was still feeling the ill effects of yesterday evenings activities. The first part of the ride from Cortez to Durango was pretty much uphill. We caught up to Mike and Kathleen, said hi and went into Durango for coffee. As Fred was buying coffee Kathleen called and said she had a flat. We turned around and went back to help, but by the time we got there Mike had changed her tube and pumped up the tire. Fred topped it up with a floor pump and they were both off and running again. We drove leisurely over to Pagosa Springs noting how much uphill and how little shade there was on the route. I felt guilty at not giving it a try, but I know I made the right decision-one of us needed to have the energy to get us back to Colorado Springs later in the day and that is a 6 hour drive over some challenging roads.
Fred dropped me off right where we had left the Tahoe. First thing I noticed was that Mike had left the passenger window down. But nothing was disturbed, so no harm, no foul. I got my bike packed into the traveling box and worked up a pretty good sweat just doing that in the morning sun. I then had to wait about half an hour for our bags to arrive with the sherpa service. I got our luggage loaded into the Tahoe and went to get gas and clean the windshield. Grabbed a quick sandwich and then drove back out the route to try to find Mike.
Saw Mike about twenty miles from the finish. Told him to hop in and he shook his head no and said he was going to finish. Delirious and stubborn, thats what I look for in a riding partner. I knew not to argue so I agreed to meet him at the hotel we had stayed at which would save him five miles and avoid the zoo at the high school finish. When he got there he was really exhausted so we quickly got some lunch into him with a couple of beers and a change of clothes.
Mike did his second century in a week in 6 hours over a really nasty route in the blazing sun. I have started calling him the brother from another planet.
About 2 PM we started the drive to Colorado Springs. It immediately started raining which was probably a relief to those still out on the road.
The first part of our drive took us over our first day climb of Wolf Creek Pass. Mike just kept muttering "Jesus, this climb is insane. Listen to the engine struggling to get us over it". And it was true. It was probably worse seeing it than doing it in that when you are doing it you are delerious and don't realize how crazy it is, although I remember thinking this is really crazy last Sunday.
By the time we reached the top it was raining again and the rain would stay with us until we reached the outskirts of Colorado Springs. The bad weather made for interesting driving and we were treated to pretty regular lightning stikes ahead of us. Mike polished off a six pack of bud while I drove. That man's capacity for beer is incredible. Maybe he is a conehead.
Since Mike had finished before Kathleen, we arrived in Colorado Springs before they did so we grabbed a quick dinner at a TGI Fridays, then met Kathleen and Fred at their house which they were kind enough to open to us. Mike is leaving his bike here because he will be back in less than a month and they will go riding together again.
Mike and Kathleen both pronounced today insane and that I was the only smart one for blowing it off. They both look totally knackered. Fred was kind enough to hook me up to his internet connection so I could finish our posting.
Tomorrow morning we are off to Denver airport and our trip home. It has been a truly incredible experience and I realize that I probably needed a few century rides in the training to truly finish this tour. I also need to figure out a saddle that will work for me long distance. I rode over 350 miles in one week and over two of the most challenging climbs in Colorado. It certainly required every bit of the training effort we put in and we had a great time. Wednesday night in Telluride was one of the great experiences, especially sitting outside our room after dinner, looking at the stars, listening to music and just really relaxing which is something we both get very little chance to do.
Mike's take on this tour is it is by far the hardest route they have put together and was exceptionally challenging.
We will get Mike's pictures onto the blog next week. For some reason, the Telluride album can be viewed on Windows machines but not Macs so I will assemble one large photo album as well.
Glad everyone enjoyed our reports. thanks again.
