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I've Got Something to Say
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| Ride Stats |
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Time: 06:48:12
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Distance:
117.53 miles
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Max Speed:
42.70 mph
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Avg Speed:
17.20 mph
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Route:
PAC Tour Central Transcontinental
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Weight:
0
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Category: training: general -
solo
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Terrain: Road: Steep
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Bike: Fuji Newest Road
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| Club: Commuter Cycling Century |
| Weather Conditions: |
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To come off of Monday’s ride feeling great, and recovered from Sunday’s time off, Tuesday really started on the wrong foot. As I was doing my usual pre-ride prep work on the bike (i.e. making sure tires are aired up to the proper pressure) I noticed that the rear tire on my bike was half deflated (or an optimist would say half inflated) – I must have ran over something late in the day yesterday causing a slow leak, and now the tube needed to be changed. So to work I go, and I received some help from Team Turtle member Dan Aaron. Take the wheel off the bike. Take the tire half off the rim, so the tube can be removed and a new tube inserted, and put the tire back onto the rim. Then as the wheel was being replaced onto the bike, the rear derailleur (the mechanism that moves the chain from gear to gear) came off of its mount. Team Turtle took off, not wanting to be delayed much longer (I couldn't blame them), and I got crew member John Lake to help me replace a bolt that holds the derailleur in place. After that long of a delay I decided to ride the SAG wagon that would support the first rest stop, and start riding from there.
As the rest stop was being prepared for the cyclist to arrive, a man riding a bike with full saddle bags rolled by. Susan hollered at him, inviting him to grab a bite, but he said he needed to continue on his way. Upon further inquiry he stated he was on his way to Memphis, TN – not sure where he started or why he was heading there.
I waited at the rest stop for Team Turtle to arrive, and after they got restocked we started up La Veta Pass. The climb itself was not as long (only 5 miles, not 8), as steep (about 4% grade, not 6%) or as high (only 9413 ft, not 10,550 ft) as Wolf Creek Pass yesterday. I was able to do most of the climbing without having to use my smallest gears, keeping a 10-11 mph pace, as opposed to Wolf Creek Pass, where using my lowest two gears I was doing only 5-6 mph. The descent down the other side was one of the most unbelievable rides anyone could ever experience – and I am not the only one to say that! The descent started with a 4-mile 6% down grade, where I would do 40-42 mph, then it was followed by a more subtle, but continuing descent that lasted a total of 16 miles – no pedaling required for 16 miles.
Then about 5 miles before the lunch stop, my rear tire was going flat, again! So, Team Turtle jumped into action to get it replaced and get the show on the road ASAP. We were soon under way and made it to the lunch stop (mile 72) in Walsenburg. I checked my computer stats as we arrived, and I was averaging 18.9 mph to that point. The lunch menu consisted of sliced turkey or PBJ sandwiches, chips, fruit cocktail, and more cheese cake.
Team Turtle headed out of the lunch stop, following the queue sheet to get us out of Walsenburg going down RT 160. Once out of Walsenburg, there was a sign stating that La Junta (our day’s destination) was 72 miles away, and our queue sheet stated that there are "no gas or auto services for the next 72 miles." Our only means of nutrition and supplies for the rest of the day would be whatever we where carrying, or what we would pickup at the days two remaining rest stops, and there would be no facilities with indoor plumbing should the call of nature come.
Rest stop #4 (mile 103) was being manned by the lunch crew by the time we got there. They had picked up their lunch station, hauled down the road (passing us) and set up shop to relieve one of the other vehicles that had originated the rest stop. Team Turtle took on fresh supplies, and continue down RT 160, maintaining a speed between 14 & 18 mph, all the way to rest stop #5 (mile 122). There were about eight other cyclists there and they inquired if they could ride with us, the last 24 miles, into La Junta. Once everyone was refreshed & restocked, the group of 11 hit the road and setup into a pair of pace lines. We kept a steady 15 (on the few short climbs) to 18 mph all the way into La Junta, arriving at the hotel around 5:30 p.m. MDT.
If I had started riding from our hotel in Alamosa, and completed all 146 miles, this would have been the single longest day of riding in my life. Even if that record would have been set today, it potentially will be broken on Wednesday as we are slated to ride 163 miles to Ulysses, KS. There is to be a total of 850 feet of climbing – in other words flat terrain – so if the winds are favorable (out of the west) we will cruise at about 18-20 mph most of the day.
The day started out on a couple of sour notes, but with some help I was able to over come those obstacles, and with some slight alterations of plans (riding the SAG to the first rest stop) I was able have another enjoyable day of riding. So, it was not the worst of times today, after all. It was a great day for a bike ride and I was able to have a great bike ride, today!
Got on the bike starting at 8:30 A.M. at rest stop #1 (mile 30)
Got off the bike at the hotel in La Junta at 5:30 P.M.
Total travel time: 9 hours 0 minutes
Distance traveled: 117.53 miles
Amount of climbing: 3000 feet
Actual time on the bike 6 hours 48 minutes and 12 second (just one minute more than yesterday, to do 27.5 more miles)
Average speed (on bike): 17.2 mph (it was 18.9 at lunch)
Max speed attained: 42.7 mph
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