You can't read the sign that John is holding but it reads
Berthoud Pass - 11300 ft
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Saturday July 26, 2008
Today was a spectacular ride. We dropped out of the YMCA campground to about 8300 feet and then slowly regained some altitude in 7 or 8 k. the climb into the pass started at 8500 feet and over the next 40km we climbed nearly 3000 feet to 11300 feet. It really wasn’t too hard except for a km or two when we were about 11km from the top. The rest of the trip was up was fairly slow and difficult with lots of switch-backs and spectacular views. You can see the road way down in the valley behind me.
This was the eighth pass we climbed, and the highest by nearly 2000 feet.
The ride down was spectacular, but we had to be really careful as the road was sometimes rough, sometimes narrow and the wind could hit you from any direction and sometimes at great strength. Some of the young guys hit speeds of 85 km. I held it to a much more conservative 65. Much lower down we went through a canyon where the speed limit was often down to 30mph and I had to slow down for traffic.
We had our first serious injury today. Tyler, an excellent rider hit the rear tire of the person ahead of him in the pace line and fell. He broke his collarbone and separated his shoulder and is done. It will be at least six weeks before he can ride again so for him the tour is over. He is a real good rider but that is the risk of a pace line. You have to concentrate very hard on the person ahead of you to make sure that you are not gaining on him/her. Because if you make contact with the bike ahead of you, you will fall.
Pace lines are a lovely option at this point of the tour. It is estimated that you increase your speed by as much as 35 percent over against riding alone. Not only that you don’t get nearly as tired. Just like Canada geese. However, once we hit the prairies and have to make those long 190 km days. If those turn out to be windy and with a head wind you need to participate in a pace line. You can’t ride nearly two hundred km into a head wind by yourself in one day. We will pray for good winds and safety and deal with each day as it comes.
Today was a spectacular ride. We dropped out of the YMCA campground to about 8300 feet and then slowly regained some altitude in 7 or 8 k. the climb into the pass started at 8500 feet and over the next 40km we climbed nearly 3000 feet to 11300 feet. It really wasn’t too hard except for a km or two when we were about 11km from the top. The rest of the trip was up was fairly slow and difficult with lots of switch-backs and spectacular views. You can see the road way down in the valley behind me.
This was the eighth pass we climbed, and the highest by nearly 2000 feet.
The ride down was spectacular, but we had to be really careful as the road was sometimes rough, sometimes narrow and the wind could hit you from any direction and sometimes at great strength. Some of the young guys hit speeds of 85 km. I held it to a much more conservative 65. Much lower down we went through a canyon where the speed limit was often down to 30mph and I had to slow down for traffic.
We had our first serious injury today. Tyler, an excellent rider hit the rear tire of the person ahead of him in the pace line and fell. He broke his collarbone and separated his shoulder and is done. It will be at least six weeks before he can ride again so for him the tour is over. He is a real good rider but that is the risk of a pace line. You have to concentrate very hard on the person ahead of you to make sure that you are not gaining on him/her. Because if you make contact with the bike ahead of you, you will fall.
Pace lines are a lovely option at this point of the tour. It is estimated that you increase your speed by as much as 35 percent over against riding alone. Not only that you don’t get nearly as tired. Just like Canada geese. However, once we hit the prairies and have to make those long 190 km days. If those turn out to be windy and with a head wind you need to participate in a pace line. You can’t ride nearly two hundred km into a head wind by yourself in one day. We will pray for good winds and safety and deal with each day as it comes.
Friday July 25, 2008
Kremmling –YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch - elevation 8820
Distance 59
Time 3.30
Uphill 2540
Downhill 1085
Elev. Net 1456
Max 67.8
Average; 21.2
Why is it that the really nice and easy days are 20k too short and the really tough, with lots of climbing days are 20k too long?
Today was a lovely day a long slow climb with some rolling hills lots of variety with two interesting towns to explore which most of did since we had lots of time. We followed the Colorado River up to its source which made for a very steady upgrade. Only when we past the source of the Colorado River did the incline increase to a moderate climb for about 6km to our destination.
About half way through the trip we came through a beautiful canyon. I got some lovely pictures. I was riding with Clare Kooistra who rides a recumbent tricycle and particularly through the canyon I rode shotgun for him. i.e. I rode about 30 meters behind him and shouted at him if oncoming traffic and traffic from behind would cause a real dangerous situation for him. I did once have to shout at him to hit the gravel other than that it would seem that all the trucks passed while we were off the road taking pictures.
Kremmling –YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch - elevation 8820
Distance 59
Time 3.30
Uphill 2540
Downhill 1085
Elev. Net 1456
Max 67.8
Average; 21.2
Why is it that the really nice and easy days are 20k too short and the really tough, with lots of climbing days are 20k too long?
Today was a lovely day a long slow climb with some rolling hills lots of variety with two interesting towns to explore which most of did since we had lots of time. We followed the Colorado River up to its source which made for a very steady upgrade. Only when we past the source of the Colorado River did the incline increase to a moderate climb for about 6km to our destination.
About half way through the trip we came through a beautiful canyon. I got some lovely pictures. I was riding with Clare Kooistra who rides a recumbent tricycle and particularly through the canyon I rode shotgun for him. i.e. I rode about 30 meters behind him and shouted at him if oncoming traffic and traffic from behind would cause a real dangerous situation for him. I did once have to shout at him to hit the gravel other than that it would seem that all the trucks passed while we were off the road taking pictures.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Saturday July 19, 2008
Brigham City to park city
Distance 164km Official 155.6
Uphill 5723ft
Downhill 3201 Ft
Net 2522 ft
Time 9:05
Max 69.3
Average 18
Well folks this was the killer ride. For the first time I had some serious doubts that I could make it, but make it I did. Mind you, I spent 12 ½ hrs on the road and just over 9 in the saddle. But I made it and I don’t think that there is anything they can through at me that I can’t do. It wasn’t the distance that made it so difficult, it wasn’t the hills it was the sequence. If the hills had been first this would have been a piece of cake., a big piece, mind you but very doable. We had done just over 100 k when we stopped at the church in Salt Lake City. Ed had warned us that the climb would begin as soon as we left the church. Boy, he wasn’t kidding. One block after we turned back onto the route and the grade increased to 12 percent. I walked. It lasted only one block and then the grade became manageable again. The climb through the canyon went up to 5800 ft. It was a lovely ride. Steep sections were broke up with nearly level ones and in many places it was shady. At one point a young couple was handing out popsicles to all sea to sea riders easily recognized by our yellow safety vests. They had seen about us on TV. He also had some contact with Calvin College. Further up the road a restaurant was offering to refill our bottles with ice water. At the top the canyon pass the church had another refreshment stop. The churches in Salt Lake City are small and they had asked the local Lutheran congregation to help them. So while the lunch wasn’t as posh as the one put on by the RCA church in Twin Falls, the commitment was probably far greater. From the top of the first pass we dropped a quick 500ft we then turned onto the interstate and the grade went up to 9percent for the first km. Thirty minutes after leaving at 5900ft. five miles from the top of the second pass at 7016ft. and it was hot. Those last five miles were littered with semi trucks and cars which had overheated. Almost immediately after we reached the top we were off the expressway. We all expected to see Walter with his RV but he wasn’t there so we all visited the local garage and convenience store and headed down. Five fast km later we saw Walter, he simply hadn’t been able to find a parking spot any earlier. In spite of the ice cream cone at the top of the hill, the watermelon was wonderful! We knew we had to climb into Park City, but after we turned away from it to go to the park no one expected that last hill. It was brutal, about 1 ½ km and 130 meter rise. That might not sound like much but that but that is about an 8 percent grade, the kind that truckers are warned to stop and test their brakes before proceeding. I heard that a lot of people muttered unmentionables at the sight of that hill and I was no exception. I was glad I had saved and orange and had it before tackling it. The last 1.6 km was completely downhill. Much of it was real steep and I reached 69.7 however, I had to break because there were two rumble strips and at times less that 18 inches between them with lots of debris. Supper was waiting, after supper it was get your tent up and by 9:15 I was sacked out. Lightning, some light rain and strong winds woke me up around midnight and I slept till seven thirty, just over ten hours.
Brigham City to park city
Distance 164km Official 155.6
Uphill 5723ft
Downhill 3201 Ft
Net 2522 ft
Time 9:05
Max 69.3
Average 18
Well folks this was the killer ride. For the first time I had some serious doubts that I could make it, but make it I did. Mind you, I spent 12 ½ hrs on the road and just over 9 in the saddle. But I made it and I don’t think that there is anything they can through at me that I can’t do. It wasn’t the distance that made it so difficult, it wasn’t the hills it was the sequence. If the hills had been first this would have been a piece of cake., a big piece, mind you but very doable. We had done just over 100 k when we stopped at the church in Salt Lake City. Ed had warned us that the climb would begin as soon as we left the church. Boy, he wasn’t kidding. One block after we turned back onto the route and the grade increased to 12 percent. I walked. It lasted only one block and then the grade became manageable again. The climb through the canyon went up to 5800 ft. It was a lovely ride. Steep sections were broke up with nearly level ones and in many places it was shady. At one point a young couple was handing out popsicles to all sea to sea riders easily recognized by our yellow safety vests. They had seen about us on TV. He also had some contact with Calvin College. Further up the road a restaurant was offering to refill our bottles with ice water. At the top the canyon pass the church had another refreshment stop. The churches in Salt Lake City are small and they had asked the local Lutheran congregation to help them. So while the lunch wasn’t as posh as the one put on by the RCA church in Twin Falls, the commitment was probably far greater. From the top of the first pass we dropped a quick 500ft we then turned onto the interstate and the grade went up to 9percent for the first km. Thirty minutes after leaving at 5900ft. five miles from the top of the second pass at 7016ft. and it was hot. Those last five miles were littered with semi trucks and cars which had overheated. Almost immediately after we reached the top we were off the expressway. We all expected to see Walter with his RV but he wasn’t there so we all visited the local garage and convenience store and headed down. Five fast km later we saw Walter, he simply hadn’t been able to find a parking spot any earlier. In spite of the ice cream cone at the top of the hill, the watermelon was wonderful! We knew we had to climb into Park City, but after we turned away from it to go to the park no one expected that last hill. It was brutal, about 1 ½ km and 130 meter rise. That might not sound like much but that but that is about an 8 percent grade, the kind that truckers are warned to stop and test their brakes before proceeding. I heard that a lot of people muttered unmentionables at the sight of that hill and I was no exception. I was glad I had saved and orange and had it before tackling it. The last 1.6 km was completely downhill. Much of it was real steep and I reached 69.7 however, I had to break because there were two rumble strips and at times less that 18 inches between them with lots of debris. Supper was waiting, after supper it was get your tent up and by 9:15 I was sacked out. Lightning, some light rain and strong winds woke me up around midnight and I slept till seven thirty, just over ten hours.
Friday July 18, 2008
Snowville to Brigham City Utah
Distance 110km Official 104
Uphill 1940ft
Downhill 2205 Ft
Net -265 ft
Time 5:17
Max 51.9
Average 20.2
Another difficult day, not as bad as yesterday, but the heat really gets to you. I drank more than yesterday and it certainly helped, but even so I had consumed 3L before I had to go to the bathroom at night
The climb came early and went well. Then we had 32k of road which had the warning sing ‘loose gravel’ they had recently tarred and coated the road with gravel and it was rough. Besides there were these long straight stretches which seemed to have progress laugh in our faces.
We had a lovely stop at a café in Corrinne, where we shared a large French fry and I had an iced tea. In Brigham City we noticed a woman with her feet in a small irrigation channel about 18 inches wide and as deep. Water was running in it and Joan made us stop and we all waded in. aahhh did that feel good. I didn’t even take my socks and shoes off. It felt sooo good. A little later on Claire and Joan stopped at the bike store and I went on. Outside of town I found a fruitstand selling freshly picked apricots at a dollar a pound. I bought a pound and a half for which I was charged one buck and I’m afraid that they were all gone by the time I got to camp 20 minute later.
The first thing I did when I got to camp was to stake out my site, next I took off my shirt and shoes and went for a swim in the lake. This is a fresh lake. It is part of the great Salt Lake, but a dam separates it from Salt Lake and keeps it fresh. It is this water the city ad orchards use for irrigation. The lake wasn’t the cleanest I have ever seen, but the swim was wonderful.
It’s amazing how positive and responsive people are. The churches of Utah had one of the members drop off a huge water trough with about 20 watermelon and ice in it. We are enjoying it right now. Even though supper which was wonderful and filling and had huge pieces of Cherry Cheese cake for dessert was less than 30 minutes ago, boy can we eat. But the response goes way beyond the CRC and the RCA. There was a sign along the road welcoming C2C cyclists at a local fruit stand. The owner had seen us on TV and every one who stopped got a bag of free Bing cherries. I didn’t see the sign and it was on the other side of a busy road which I’m sure kept the traffic down,
Snowville to Brigham City Utah
Distance 110km Official 104
Uphill 1940ft
Downhill 2205 Ft
Net -265 ft
Time 5:17
Max 51.9
Average 20.2
Another difficult day, not as bad as yesterday, but the heat really gets to you. I drank more than yesterday and it certainly helped, but even so I had consumed 3L before I had to go to the bathroom at night
The climb came early and went well. Then we had 32k of road which had the warning sing ‘loose gravel’ they had recently tarred and coated the road with gravel and it was rough. Besides there were these long straight stretches which seemed to have progress laugh in our faces.
We had a lovely stop at a café in Corrinne, where we shared a large French fry and I had an iced tea. In Brigham City we noticed a woman with her feet in a small irrigation channel about 18 inches wide and as deep. Water was running in it and Joan made us stop and we all waded in. aahhh did that feel good. I didn’t even take my socks and shoes off. It felt sooo good. A little later on Claire and Joan stopped at the bike store and I went on. Outside of town I found a fruitstand selling freshly picked apricots at a dollar a pound. I bought a pound and a half for which I was charged one buck and I’m afraid that they were all gone by the time I got to camp 20 minute later.
The first thing I did when I got to camp was to stake out my site, next I took off my shirt and shoes and went for a swim in the lake. This is a fresh lake. It is part of the great Salt Lake, but a dam separates it from Salt Lake and keeps it fresh. It is this water the city ad orchards use for irrigation. The lake wasn’t the cleanest I have ever seen, but the swim was wonderful.
It’s amazing how positive and responsive people are. The churches of Utah had one of the members drop off a huge water trough with about 20 watermelon and ice in it. We are enjoying it right now. Even though supper which was wonderful and filling and had huge pieces of Cherry Cheese cake for dessert was less than 30 minutes ago, boy can we eat. But the response goes way beyond the CRC and the RCA. There was a sign along the road welcoming C2C cyclists at a local fruit stand. The owner had seen us on TV and every one who stopped got a bag of free Bing cherries. I didn’t see the sign and it was on the other side of a busy road which I’m sure kept the traffic down,
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Sunday July 13, 2008
Boise ID
Distance 30 km
We had to drive to church sponsored by the Boise Congregation in a local park. Lovely location. The heat divided the congregation into two as we all stayed in the shade. The last week has been hot 34-38C and today was no exception. It is very dry however, It feels like the humidity is about -10%. It’s wonderful for clothes they dry almost instantly, but my lips are chapped an others have lips that look far worse then mine and I have been very faithful in the use of chap stick, but I probably began too late. Legs too are becoming chafed and dry.
The service in the park was really wonderful. The pastor whom I did not know, preached on peace and the message really encouraging.
Well there is a DQ just across the street and I think I am going to join the gang for an ice cream cone. Just been informed that DQ closes at 10 and it’s 10:20 right now. O well.
Monday July 14, 2008
Distance 92.24 total distance
Up hill 1971
Downhill 1555
Net 2416
Time in the saddle 3;56
Max: 53.8
Average: 23.4
What a day. For the first time in ten days clouds appeared in the sky after lunch. Not many, not dark and threatening, but clouds just the same even so it did provide some welcome shade for a few minutes. We have had temperatures reported today of 106 and 110 or 41-43C. hot is how you describe the weather and for once it is not to cool down much until after 11 pm.
The ride itself wasn’t too hard, other than there were no services available en-route for the entire 92k. the graph makes it look like we did lots of climbinh, but that really isn’t so because the vertical scale is 200 ft per bar. So at mile 10 we had a fairly steep hill but it only gave us an ascent of 300 feet. The rise between mile 13-25 was pretty gentle and with the tail wind I averaged about 20kph. The terrain was rather monotonous Sage brush and more sage brush and more sage brush. And when there are no shadows to compensate it really does make for a two dimensional view.
From here on in the distances begin to lengthen and the climbing intensifies. Someone said this morning that the tour starts tomorrow.
All of us keep having fascinating conversations along the way. We hand out hundreds of cards each day. Someone reported that he was in a grocery store talked to the clerk who was involved in a ministry with prisoners and he asked to be prayed with so right there in the middle of the produce department they prayed together. He then made a 20 dollar donation to sea to sea. So far more than 600 dollars has been received in donations. We have also received free laundry services, haircuts, sometimes meals and coffee and almost everyone we talk to is enthusiastic about the cause we are supporting.
Boise ID
Distance 30 km
We had to drive to church sponsored by the Boise Congregation in a local park. Lovely location. The heat divided the congregation into two as we all stayed in the shade. The last week has been hot 34-38C and today was no exception. It is very dry however, It feels like the humidity is about -10%. It’s wonderful for clothes they dry almost instantly, but my lips are chapped an others have lips that look far worse then mine and I have been very faithful in the use of chap stick, but I probably began too late. Legs too are becoming chafed and dry.
The service in the park was really wonderful. The pastor whom I did not know, preached on peace and the message really encouraging.
Well there is a DQ just across the street and I think I am going to join the gang for an ice cream cone. Just been informed that DQ closes at 10 and it’s 10:20 right now. O well.
Monday July 14, 2008
Distance 92.24 total distance
Up hill 1971
Downhill 1555
Net 2416
Time in the saddle 3;56
Max: 53.8
Average: 23.4
What a day. For the first time in ten days clouds appeared in the sky after lunch. Not many, not dark and threatening, but clouds just the same even so it did provide some welcome shade for a few minutes. We have had temperatures reported today of 106 and 110 or 41-43C. hot is how you describe the weather and for once it is not to cool down much until after 11 pm.
The ride itself wasn’t too hard, other than there were no services available en-route for the entire 92k. the graph makes it look like we did lots of climbinh, but that really isn’t so because the vertical scale is 200 ft per bar. So at mile 10 we had a fairly steep hill but it only gave us an ascent of 300 feet. The rise between mile 13-25 was pretty gentle and with the tail wind I averaged about 20kph. The terrain was rather monotonous Sage brush and more sage brush and more sage brush. And when there are no shadows to compensate it really does make for a two dimensional view.
From here on in the distances begin to lengthen and the climbing intensifies. Someone said this morning that the tour starts tomorrow.
All of us keep having fascinating conversations along the way. We hand out hundreds of cards each day. Someone reported that he was in a grocery store talked to the clerk who was involved in a ministry with prisoners and he asked to be prayed with so right there in the middle of the produce department they prayed together. He then made a 20 dollar donation to sea to sea. So far more than 600 dollars has been received in donations. We have also received free laundry services, haircuts, sometimes meals and coffee and almost everyone we talk to is enthusiastic about the cause we are supporting.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Today is Thursday July 10, 2008
We are leaving Baker City OR I thought I would let you know what my daily routine looks like. I get up at 5:30 tear down my tent and pack it into the gear bag eat a big breakfast, pack a lunch, pump up the tires and do a quick check o make sure that everything is working well. Pack stuff back into the baskets in the trailer and get on the road. It’s quite a sight out here. Almost everyone gets up between 5:30 and six AM. Day after day we have been able to sit in our lawn chairs in groups or by our tents and eat breakfast. It’s cool this morning as it has been most mornings, about 9C. It is windy now but as soon as the sun begins to warm things up the wind dies and it will pick up again this evening. Yesterday’s ride, as well as the rides of today and tomorrow are short around the 80 Km mark and even with plenty of breaks we will be at our destination between noon and one o’clock. Next week the rides get longer again and a lot more climbing and then arrival will be between three and seven at night.
We are developing a strong sense of community. At the beginning of this week a group of young guys, strong cyclists decided to help a man in his thirties who is riding a recumbent tricycle. He has some health issues which affect his ability to ride and these trikes while very fast on the flats and downhill stretches are very hard to get up the hills and when we have a day with less than 1000 ft vertical rise we think we have a real easy day. So these young fellows take turn and help push him up the hills.
When we get into camp its time to set up tents, do bike maintenance, take a shower and get cleaned up, write in your journal, blog etc. get ready for supper. On the short days like yesterday there is actually some time to relax. After supper we have a peleton meeting. Here is a time for all of us to get to get together, discuss our day, count the number of flats and falls ‘150 flats so far’ I’ve had none. Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, prayer concerns and prayer and then we go to our small group. That brings us to 9;00 pm and its time to get ready for bed again.
On a lighter note. Protein is an important ingredient when you are cycling as hard as we do. So often beans are part of supper. The other night there were chickpeas and kidney beans as well as hummus. I had to get up that night to go to the bathroom it was two am 150 tents or more and no one was snoring, but there was lots of other bean related noises.
I calculated yesterday that I had reached 750,000 pedal strokes when I pulled into Baker city and my knees feel better than they have in months. Doesn’t the lord make an incredible body/
Thanks for your prayers and support
Tony Schweitzer
We are leaving Baker City OR I thought I would let you know what my daily routine looks like. I get up at 5:30 tear down my tent and pack it into the gear bag eat a big breakfast, pack a lunch, pump up the tires and do a quick check o make sure that everything is working well. Pack stuff back into the baskets in the trailer and get on the road. It’s quite a sight out here. Almost everyone gets up between 5:30 and six AM. Day after day we have been able to sit in our lawn chairs in groups or by our tents and eat breakfast. It’s cool this morning as it has been most mornings, about 9C. It is windy now but as soon as the sun begins to warm things up the wind dies and it will pick up again this evening. Yesterday’s ride, as well as the rides of today and tomorrow are short around the 80 Km mark and even with plenty of breaks we will be at our destination between noon and one o’clock. Next week the rides get longer again and a lot more climbing and then arrival will be between three and seven at night.
We are developing a strong sense of community. At the beginning of this week a group of young guys, strong cyclists decided to help a man in his thirties who is riding a recumbent tricycle. He has some health issues which affect his ability to ride and these trikes while very fast on the flats and downhill stretches are very hard to get up the hills and when we have a day with less than 1000 ft vertical rise we think we have a real easy day. So these young fellows take turn and help push him up the hills.
When we get into camp its time to set up tents, do bike maintenance, take a shower and get cleaned up, write in your journal, blog etc. get ready for supper. On the short days like yesterday there is actually some time to relax. After supper we have a peleton meeting. Here is a time for all of us to get to get together, discuss our day, count the number of flats and falls ‘150 flats so far’ I’ve had none. Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, prayer concerns and prayer and then we go to our small group. That brings us to 9;00 pm and its time to get ready for bed again.
On a lighter note. Protein is an important ingredient when you are cycling as hard as we do. So often beans are part of supper. The other night there were chickpeas and kidney beans as well as hummus. I had to get up that night to go to the bathroom it was two am 150 tents or more and no one was snoring, but there was lots of other bean related noises.
I calculated yesterday that I had reached 750,000 pedal strokes when I pulled into Baker city and my knees feel better than they have in months. Doesn’t the lord make an incredible body/
Thanks for your prayers and support
Tony Schweitzer
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Getting Started
This is my first update to my blog and it comes with my apology. Technical problems have meant that there has been no internet connection since Tuesday and the first two days I was so overwhelmed with the routine and work that I didn’t have time. Hopefully the technical problems will be resolved within the next few days and then we will make daily update. Today is Saturday and our first week is complete. It is amazing the changes not just physically but as a group. We have really grown together in this week. The update is a summary of the first two days. I am using a friend’s cell phone to upload this to my blog, which is an emergency measure, but it works
Stats: Day one Seattle to Sultan
Total Distance 83.27 Km
Time in the Saddle: 3:57:46
Maximum Speed: 53.3
Average Speed: 21
We’re on our way! Finally!
After four send off services the time of waiting and preparation is finally over. We dipped our tires about 9:30 and were underway about 9:45
The first 30 K was a ride through the Park. The dedicated Bike path was wonderful, shady and because it is an abandoned RR track very gentle in slopes with very little elevation change.
We rode assigned groups a good chance to chat with some of the riders. By the time we had to take to the highway the temperature was up and heat drained our energy. Our first test came at about Km 35: a hill that rose about 350 ft in about 0ne km, then after a partial drop we went up to about 400 ft. The ride down was exhilarating. Simply coasting I reached my maximum for the day of 53.3. K/h
Day 2 July 1, 2008 Sultan to Leavenworth WA
Stats:
Total distance 129.63
Time in the saddle 6:36:02
Maximum speed 65.5
Average speed 19.6
From Sultan to the top of Steven’s Pass at 4062 ft, nearly 4000 feet elevation gain with a few humps between and even on the way down so that our total elevation gain was nearly 6000 feet.
What a day! Not just in terms of length, but in terms of difficulty. The last 12 km to the top of Stevens Pass was 6% incline. Real Tough and it was hot! I lost count of the number of bottles of water I drank.
Last night I announced that my retirement would start on the top of the pass and I would do a little dance to celebrate which I did. I composed some words to Clementine which went like this:
I’m retired, but I’m tired
And my legs they feel like mush
But I made it,
Yes I made it.
It was really quite a rush
I got on the road late this morning, nearly 8:00 AM and when we got to that point of serious climbing, about 17km worth I calculated it would take me till 1:00 Pm to get to the top, in fact it was nearly two. Lots of stops including two where I splashed cold water on my face and head. The funny part was that perhaps the most difficult part of the ride was on the way down. We knew that there were several fairly short hills to climb, but I just wasn’t ready to work that hard again. Physically, emotionally and psychologically I was done. However it did pass. I finally got to camp about 4:45. Certainly not among the first who got here before I got to the top of the pass but certainly not last either.
When I got into camp, Bert and Diane Slofstra presented me with a cap that read:
Warning!
Retiree,
knows it all
has plenty of time to tell you all about it.
I heard later that my nieces in Abbotsford had asked them to buy and present this cap to me.
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