Yesterday I was just to tired to blog so I am updating you on 2 days.
The ride to Chama had beautiful scenery, but it was a brutal grind. We had to go 87 miles going up and down hills for a total of 5880 feet of climbing. We road through changing geography where we began to see green meadows with more trees, from the brown dry land the previous days. It was a hot ride with numerous rolling hills. Some hills had 6-7 grades and were over 1 mile long. I did fine on the first 62 miles and thought I would have no difficulty making the final 25 miles. However at about mile 68 I hit a mile hill with 6-7 grade and 113 degree temperature. At mile 72 my feet were screaming with pain, my hands were numb and my bottom was very sore. I had to get off my bike to cool down my feet. I thought the SAG stop would be there, but discovered it was still several miles down the road. I had a meltdown at that point and realized I could not go any further on my bike. Shery was coming by with the Sweep van and I called out to her to pick me up. I had had it. I know it was only another 15 miles but with all the hills still ahead and the head winds, my body could not take any more and I decided it best to quit for the day.
Once I arrived at camp, I heard many others had been brought in as well. Most cyclists reported that it was one of the toughest days they had. The last rider came in about 530 which is the latest we have had so far.
Our gear truck did not arrive in camp till 6 PM as the air conditioning in the truck had gone out and it needed to be repaired. The gear truck did not leave the winery till 4PM. Once the gear truck arrived everyone of course wanted to take a shower since all the personal stuff was on the gear trailer. Peleton was cancelled as everyone was pretty beat and we had another full day ahead climbing over the pass to Alamosa at 10200 feet.
Will try to upload some pictures of todays ride
SAG stop were cold towels are put on cyclist head to cool down body temperature
Carol and Rich Rienstra and Judy Bredeweg after Carol had just arrived in camp after completing the 87 mile bike ride to Chama
Jane the Baboon As the gear trailer was not in she took a shower but turned her all her clothes inside out after taking the shower. Jane does not really care what people think and can be quite creative in dealing with situations.
Day 15 Chama to Alamosa
Yesterday Barb Mellema's husband arrived and she decided unabashedly to take advantage of her husband. She decided to have breakfast with him this morning and to have him drive her up to the top of the mountain we would have to climb today and invited me to join them. It did not take me long to decide that I really did not need to conquer this mountain nor ride every mile as I had done that in both 2005 and 2008. I decided to have more fun and enjoy different parts of the ride that I had not done in previous rides.. I found it quite liberating. Waking up this morning it felt good not to feel the pressure to hurry up get dressed, pack up the tent and hurriedly eat breakfast and pack a lunch to be out on the road by 6 AM. I watched most people leave and then Barb , Brian, Phil Quist and I went for breakfast. I had an egg, bacon, hash browns and toast which we have not had yet for breakfast. It was truly relaxing. After breakfast we then headed up the mountain and past all the cyclists making their way slowly up to 10200 feet. The ride was spectacular with beautiful vistas. I was able to take numerous pictures from the seat of a van. At 9 am Barb and I started our ride and the descent down the mountain. It was over 4 miles with 6% grade going down with lots of S curves. I hit 41 mph going down. As it was still early and very shady it was rather cool going down and I had shivers as I went down even though I had arm warmers on. once down we had 50 miles of pretty flat road. I hit my highest average riding day at 17mph over 57 miles. It was a cool ride a d both Barb and I enjoyed the relaxed pace we had. We still managed to get into camp by 1220. Once in I changed clothes and went with Barb, Brian, and Joel pastor from Denver to a local brew pub for lunch.
Again the scenery along the route was pretty spectacular. Nice to see lots of green trees and pastures. We rode along the San Luis River valley which is pretty flat and long. Lots of irrigation and fields of hay being cut and bailed. Also saw lots of cattle today grazing along the road.
Julie Wiersma one of our great SAG staff and Nancy Dejager manning a SAG stop on top of the mountain and really enjoying their spectacular view. A real treat for them today.
One of the things I have been thinking about these past several weeks in the challenges we have faced this tour -heat, forest fires, and bridge washout which have forced us to change our plans. I think of the poor for whom we are riding and the unexpected challenges thrown their way- sickness, drought, floods that require them to change their direction or plans. What we are contending with is minor compared to the challenges they face. We also have people praying and supporting us, but millions of people caught in the poverty cycle struggle along the best they can with little or no support. What can we do differently? How can we make a greater difference in the lives of one person, one family or community at a time. I am very thankful that agencies such as Partners Worldwide, World Renew, RCA Global Missions are the means we can care for and support those facing major challenges. If you have not yet supported our cause will you do so today and will you pray for those caught in the cycle of poverty everyday? I know every little bit helps.
I am reminded every day that this bike ride is not about us but about others and raising awareness for their needs. I enjoy the ride and feel blessed to do it, but this whole thing is much bigger than all the cyclists and biking across the country. I pray God may use us and this tour to really challenge people to get involved, don't just do nothing. Look around you in your own communities to see who needs your support, care, and love. May God's name be praised and glorified by what we are doing and saying as we bike.
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