Day 4-6/19 Photos
John's Day 4 Journal: Our Day In the Rockies* (With An Asterisk)
06/20/08 21:20
Total
Miles: 122.7
planned; 115 actual
Miles I Road: 94
To Date Total: 424
Weather: 60 degrees in the morning 80 degrees at end of ride; light cross wind; GREAT riding weather
Highlights
Well, all good things must come to an end. They say that when you do an endurance event such as this, the fourth and fifth days are the true test. My friend Clay had told me that you are pumped up on adrenaline the first three days but by day four the physical toll will come to bare. Boy, was he right. Our team fought the demons and about every other obstacle we could come across, but in the end we all climbed the last 2,000 feet of the Continental Divide—only the highest peak you can ride in America—and the world became grand once again.
The morning started typical enough with a 2:45 wake-up call and then a drive to a transfer point for shifts. This cost us time and calls between teams to meet up. Once on the road we immediately made a wrong turn in the dark that cost us an additional eight miles. Various other obstacles—including wrong turns and washed-out bike paths—ended up costing us almost three hours in delays and with the desire to climb at least a portion of the Continental Divide; we ended up cutting short a portion of the ride toward the end to ferry forward to the Divide.
But that was only a portion of what I dealt with today. The real problems occurred within me. The toll of 3-to-4-1/2 hours of sleep over the course of the last four nights, 330 miles of bike riding the prior three days, along with the additional travel finally hit me like a 2x4 across the head. I had several “come to Jesus” conversations with myself and the mental fatigue would rush through me so hard I thought I would fall off the bike and pass out. Then, during one of those conversations with myself, I remembered that this is all part of the process. The challenge is partly physical, to be sure, but the real challenge lives within yourself. With that, things changed for me. It was still painful but much more exciting and in the end the prize was standing at the top of a mountain knowing I could overcome anything.
I haven’t yet introduced the rest of my team but now is a good time. There are six of us. In all, we have been around this earth for a combined 288 years. Everything starts with Jonathon, for he is the common tie that got all of us together. He comes from biking pedigree, with both parents hard core riders even in their 70’s. He just rides and when you ask him how he is doing, it is always “okay”. For him, this is only another mark on his riding achievements, without him we all would be lost.
Mark is another riding machine, is of good temperament, and puts up with me the most as we are van riding partners on this trip.
Brain, at 38, is the kid. He’s quiet and a solid rider but has been dealing with a knee problem that swells like an apple after he rides. But when you ask about the knee, he only says it getting better.
Ray is the oldest at 55 years of age, has been riding for three years but is strong. He has a great sense if humor and provides a good balance between us all.
Don is 46. He’s also been riding for just a few years. He keeps things light and still is learning the ropes but his tenancy is unequal.
Along with Mom & Dad, who I mentioned before, this is the crew I now live with day and night. We eat, sleep, and ride together day and night. We are all in this together. By this time we could be at others throats but instead we have only grown closer. We all are determined but joke openly with each other. In all, a great bunch of guys.
Miles I Road: 94
To Date Total: 424
Weather: 60 degrees in the morning 80 degrees at end of ride; light cross wind; GREAT riding weather
Highlights
Well, all good things must come to an end. They say that when you do an endurance event such as this, the fourth and fifth days are the true test. My friend Clay had told me that you are pumped up on adrenaline the first three days but by day four the physical toll will come to bare. Boy, was he right. Our team fought the demons and about every other obstacle we could come across, but in the end we all climbed the last 2,000 feet of the Continental Divide—only the highest peak you can ride in America—and the world became grand once again.
The morning started typical enough with a 2:45 wake-up call and then a drive to a transfer point for shifts. This cost us time and calls between teams to meet up. Once on the road we immediately made a wrong turn in the dark that cost us an additional eight miles. Various other obstacles—including wrong turns and washed-out bike paths—ended up costing us almost three hours in delays and with the desire to climb at least a portion of the Continental Divide; we ended up cutting short a portion of the ride toward the end to ferry forward to the Divide.
But that was only a portion of what I dealt with today. The real problems occurred within me. The toll of 3-to-4-1/2 hours of sleep over the course of the last four nights, 330 miles of bike riding the prior three days, along with the additional travel finally hit me like a 2x4 across the head. I had several “come to Jesus” conversations with myself and the mental fatigue would rush through me so hard I thought I would fall off the bike and pass out. Then, during one of those conversations with myself, I remembered that this is all part of the process. The challenge is partly physical, to be sure, but the real challenge lives within yourself. With that, things changed for me. It was still painful but much more exciting and in the end the prize was standing at the top of a mountain knowing I could overcome anything.
I haven’t yet introduced the rest of my team but now is a good time. There are six of us. In all, we have been around this earth for a combined 288 years. Everything starts with Jonathon, for he is the common tie that got all of us together. He comes from biking pedigree, with both parents hard core riders even in their 70’s. He just rides and when you ask him how he is doing, it is always “okay”. For him, this is only another mark on his riding achievements, without him we all would be lost.
Mark is another riding machine, is of good temperament, and puts up with me the most as we are van riding partners on this trip.
Brain, at 38, is the kid. He’s quiet and a solid rider but has been dealing with a knee problem that swells like an apple after he rides. But when you ask about the knee, he only says it getting better.
Ray is the oldest at 55 years of age, has been riding for three years but is strong. He has a great sense if humor and provides a good balance between us all.
Don is 46. He’s also been riding for just a few years. He keeps things light and still is learning the ropes but his tenancy is unequal.
Along with Mom & Dad, who I mentioned before, this is the crew I now live with day and night. We eat, sleep, and ride together day and night. We are all in this together. By this time we could be at others throats but instead we have only grown closer. We all are determined but joke openly with each other. In all, a great bunch of guys.
Jonathon and Mark
Don Climbing the Divide
Glenwood Bike Trail, the Rockies
Team 1 at the Top
Me. I Feel Great!
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