Crew’s Log…

Cycling Date: 30-June-09

Mileage: 51 miles

Climbing: 650 feet

Weather: Sunny and hot. Temps in the mid 60s worked their way up into the low 100s just after noon. Winds were moderate.

Highlights of the day:

- Wide open spaces with wheat fields, silos, and enormous feed lots. One feed lot even rated a scenic overlook.

- Route 50, our companion for the past two days, follows the Sante Fe Trail. Historic Markers pointed out sights today that where we could see wagon ruts.  They also offered amazing views of the high plains that just go on and on and on. A continuous carpet of lush green plains grass, another sign of the higher than usual rainfall for this area.

- Clark Pharmacy in Cimarron provided a tasty respite from the heat. Midway on the route, riders enjoyed a smoothie Cimarron style, blended soda and ice cream at the soda fountain. One of the pharmacy’s claim to fame was a visit from Oprah while she was on her Road Trip Adventures in the Great Plains. Rumor has it that her smoothie of choice was orange sherbet and Sierra Mist.

- The heat has found the tour. We were able to avoid it all the way across Nevada and Colorado but no longer. It looks like we’ll be dealing with heat in the upper 90s and lower 100s for the next few days. Early starts will be a featured.

- Gerard held a basic training camp for the riders. Since we were in Kansas, he just had to call it the “Bicycle Rodeo.” Skills such as emergency stops & turns, rock dodging, and safely looking over the shoulder were covered.

- Our day ended in Dodge City. “The Wickedest City in the West” or “Cowboy Capital of the World.” Riders enjoyed a little entertainment, old West style, at Boot Hill Museum. They were treated the gen-u-ine gunfight and the World Famous Long Branch Variety Show featuring Miss Kitty and her Can-Can dancers. When in the Rome???

Crew’s Log…

Cycling Date: 29-June-09

Mileage: 104 miles

Climbing: 1000 feet

Weather: Sunny and warm. Winds mostly light and at our backs. Temps rose in the afternoon to the upper 90s. Winds swung around to the our front and increased in speed towards the end of the day.

Highlights of the day:

- Light and variable winds primarily from the west started the day. A nice change from the strong crosswind.

- Mostly flat to slightly rolling hills combined with the favorable winds made it a very fast day for most of the riders. At least those who chose to push a big gear. There are those riders who are adamant about taking the time to see the scenery, taste the local cuisine, talk to the locals, and enjoy the day in their own way.

- We crossed into Kansas – our 4^th border crossing and our 5^th state.

- Slaloming through the crickets or grasshoppers or locusts or whatever those large jumping bugs that were all over the shoulder.

- Endless skies and horizons. Couldn’t quite see the curve of the earth but it was easy to imagine.

- We were greeted at the Comfort Inn in Garden City KS with fresh oranges and ice cold water. A real treat at the end of a long hot day.

Crew’s Log…

Cycling Date: 28-June-09

Mileage: 120 miles

Climbing: 1100 feet

Weather: Sunny and warm. Hit the low 90s. Strong cross-wind out of the south.

Highlights of the day:

- After a day off in Pueblo, no time was spent ramping the intensity back up on the ride. This was our longest day of the tour, 120 miles. While it wasn’t as hot as it has been in past years (100+), it did go above 90 and was plenty warm.

- We said our final good-byes to the mountains of the west. They did loom in the background for a few miles but were quickly replaced by fields of wheat, corn, and other crops (sorry, not a crop expert).

- Our route crossed paths with a long distance running who is running across the country for charity. Her routine is 30 miles per day x 120 days. And people say we’re crazy????

- Our third SAG stop of the day was in the town of Hasty at the Valley Grocery, right across from the street from the Hasty Post Office. Locals had great fun chatting with these crazy cyclists who are going across the country. They also cautioned us to be on the look out for trucks, as it is wheat harvest time.

- Riders experienced their first stockyards of the tour, with all the sights and smells. We’re definitely in cattle country. We even ended the day at the Cow Palace Inn in Lamar.

Crew’s Log…

Cycling Date: 27-June-09

Mileage: 0

Weather: Sunny and warm in the high 80s with chance of afternoon thunderstorms.

Highlights of the day:

- Our second day off. The riders are again on their own today. Talk is of visiting local bike shops, seeing the NSRA’s Rocky Mountain Street Rod Nationals, doing laundry, and exploring the sights of Pueblo.

- The staff is busy to sending off departing riders, greeting new riders, and getting the vehicles cleaned & prepped for the next segment.

Crew’s Log…

Cycling Date: 26-June-09

Mileage: 94 miles

Climbing: 2500 feet

Weather: Sunny and warm in the morning. Bumped up into the upper 90s in the afternoon with the seasonal intense but short thunderstorms.

Highlights of the day:

- The Arkansas River was our companion for the first half of the day. With all the recent rain in this area, it was very full and running quite fast. Rafting companies are reaping the benefits of this weather. Lots of smiles were seen and screams of delight heard as raft after raft swept by our first rest stop.

- The scenery again brought to mind many superlatives. The road wound through a series of gulches & canyons with rusty rock cliffs spotted with greenery. Picturesque views came one after another. I kept stopping for the perfect picture only to find the view around the next corner more beautiful. OK, so this sounds a bit over the top but between the sun glinting off the river and majesty of the cliffs – I was in full grin mode.

- After a 3-mile climb, the riders were treated to quick, relatively non-technical descent into Cañon City (pronounced Canyon). It was fast and fun, smiles all around as riders sped into town.

- Some riders opted for the optional trip to Royal Gorge just before heading into Canon City. It boasts the highest suspension bridge in the world. A double-digit grade to get to the gorge was rewarded with some spectacular views and a screaming descent back on to the route.

- On exiting Canon City, we were welcomed to the high plains. WIIIIDE open spaces that go for miles and miles. With the wide-open plains come the intense afternoon thunderstorms. We were treated to one brief but intense cell this afternoon. Riders quickly sought shelter and waited for the front to blow through the area. Skies cleared and those still on the route were treated to an amazing 30+ mph tailwind. Yup, a 30+ mph tailwind. Yee-haa!

- Today is the last day of our second leg. We said good-bye to the 12 riders who joined us in Utah. Hard to believe, as it seems we just left Salt Lake City. I think I must have blinked.

Crew’s Log…

Cycling Date: 25-June-09

Mileage: 66 miles

Climbing: 4080 feet

Weather: Cool in the 50s and cloudy to start. Warmed to low 80s in the afternoon in the lower elevations. Afternoon thunderstorms rolled in after 2.

Highlights of the day:

- Breakfast burritos!

- The route started out with a 30-mile warm-up through lush green ranch land with meandering streams (and a river?) surrounded by mountains. The climb was very gradual, going up about 1000’ over 30 miles.

- After 32 miles, the gentle climb quickly morphed into our big climb of the day, up and over Monarch Pass.  The riders climbed nearly 3000’ in 10 miles to reach an elevation of 11,312’. Those riders from the lowlands, who are used to air rich with oxygen, found the last mile or two a real challenge.

- The summit of Monarch Pass brought us to our highest point in the ride and the crossing of the Continental Divide. For those who needed a little more elevation and an even more stunning view, an aerial tram took them to the top of Monarch Ridge (~12,000’) to see an even wider view of the surrounding peaks.

- The descent. A real screamer (to quote Gerard). 6 miles of 6% down on a relatively non-technical course. WAAAA-HOOOOOO!!!!!!! Oh, and that was followed by 17 miles of more downhill to the hotel.

- Entrepreneurial youths set up a lemonade stand at the entrance to the reception area at our hotel. Hmmm… Cyclists and cold drinks. Perhaps they knew we were coming.

Crew’s Log…

Cycling Date: 24-June-09

Mileage: 63 miles

Climbing: 5050 feet

Weather: Other than the headwind, perfection! Low-80s and sunny.

Highlights of the day:

- The day started off with long semi-gradual climb but thanks to winds coming through a narrow canyon, it felt much steeper. I’ve been told by some of our riders who are professed experts in physics that this is called the “Venturi Effect.” Regardless of the actual technical details, it definitely challenged the riders first thing in the morning.

- What goes up, must come down. A nice descent followed. Repeat the ups and downs a total of 3 times for 5050’ of climbing for the day.

- The efforts did not go unrewarded. Views of the San Juan Mountains, the Curecanti Recreational Area and, the Blue Mesa Reservoir were absolute stunners. Riders cycled up over high hills, through tall craggy canyons, and along mountain lakes that reflected the hills to either side. Sigh…

- We waved good-bye to our fellow cyclists on the Colorado tour when we entered Gunnison. While it was nice to have the extra company, it will be nice to be back to our own little group of 34 riders, especially as we climb up and over Monarch Pass. Tomorrow.

Crew’s Log…

Cycling Date: 23-June-09

Mileage: 73 miles

Climbing: 3130 feet

Weather: Sunny. Windy. Head windy. Warmed up to the mid-90s.

Highlights of the day:

- The day started with a scenic ride on a bike path that followed the Colorado River through Grand Junction. In addition to the views, our excitement included a few rabbits intent on running out in front of cyclists. No casualties reported.

- The route then moved on to US 50 where we met up with 2000 new cycling friends. Our paths will cross with a large tour of Colorado for the next two days. We found several ABB alumni and had opportunity to swap stories and chat about past tours.

- There was another Dairy Queen sighting. Sean, our staff mechanic, talked at length about his tasty Moo-Latte.

- Some riders opted for the optional van trip to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. A spectacular canyon that is nearly 3000’ deep. Definitely not something for those who have issues with heights. One hearty rider even opted to go via bicycle and rode to the top of the canyon, adding 2000’ of climbing and approximately 25 miles to his day. Go Brian!

- The town of Montrose CO was rocking with thousands of cyclists. Literally thousands of cyclists. It made for an interesting day logistically, especially at restaurants but all were fed and headed off to sleep early as tomorrow we begin to taste some of our first “real” climbs since Mount Rose in Nevada.

Crew’s Log…

Cycling Date: 22-June-09

Mileage: 97 miles

Climbing: 3600 feet

Weather: Sunny! No clouds. No rain. Getting warmer too. Started in the 60s and made it up to the low 90s. Still not as hot as it could be this time of year and absolutely no one is complaining.

Highlights of the day:

- Short cue sheet. Get on I-70 East. Ride to Exit 182 for the first SAG stop. Get back on I-70 East. Ride to Exit 227 for the second SAG stop. Get back on I-70 East. Ride to Exit 26 (now in Colorado) and go to hotel. No one got lost today.

- A continuation of wide-open vistas with cliffs and mesas in the distance. Some cliffs looked just like the tail fins on 1950’s cars. We didn’t find Radiator Springs, though. The terrain was mostly rolling with a few relatively gentle climbs. The hills will start again tomorrow as we head towards Montrose.

- SAG stops normally don’t make the highlights but the second one today received rave reviews from the riders.  Perhaps it was the location? An underpass below I-70. Perhaps it was the food? PB&J on raisin bread. Perhaps the riders were just happy to see support in the shade with water on this long day with very few towns along the way. I think they were an easy crowd. J

- Border crossing #3 and state #4: Colorado. A rustic sign welcomed the riders and provided a required photo op for everyone’s records. If you had a telephoto lens, you could also get the Utah sign on the other side of the highway. A little more official than the line on the pavement in Wendover NV.

- Riders were treated to Otter Pops (frozen tasty treats) soon after crossing into Colorado. Not a state feature but a tradition started by Sue Dixon, a former client and staff member of ABB who lives in Grand Junction. She also provided details at route rap for our ride from Grand Junction to Montrose. Thank you Sue!

Crew’s Log…

Cycling Date: 21-June-09

Mileage: 67 miles

Climbing: 1300 feet

Weather: Mostly cloudy in the early morning. A bit wet to start but mostly kicked up from the pavement. Cleared by mid-morning and warmed to the mid-80s. Winds picked up all day into a steady headwind.

Highlights of the day:

- After yesterday’s challenging ride, today’s route was a welcome change. The day was spent primarily on SR 6 again. But this time, no construction, less climbing, and nice wide shoulders. Riders were treated to some rumble strips but they had much more room to ride.

- The views? More stunners. The road twisted around and over gently rolling hills covered with sage that opened into broad vistas flanked with cliffs.

- Staff “caught” riders making phone calls to their respective significant others on the side of the road just to describe what they were seeing. Riders “caught” the staff waa-hooing and grinning from ear to ear as they rode.

- The Book Cliffs flanked us off to the east along the end of SR 6 as we neared I-70, the next interstate for our travels.

- Ray’s Tavern in Green River. A biker bar. Both kinds – petrol and leg powered. Good burgers. Nice outdoor patio with room for bikes, leg powered only.

- A side trip to Arches National Park just outside of Moab, UT. Red rock country. Bright red rock. Amazing formations that seemed to defy gravity. And arches… Lots of superlatives, oohs, & aahs.

- Gerard had been looking forward to an afternoon of rafting on the Green River for the last 9 months. Riders were excited to join him. Unfortunately, all the rain in the past few days/weeks had made the road to the put in point impassable. Ah well, next year…