July 6 – Century Ride!!

Today everyone woke up bright and early (as is normal now… sadly) and as we got ready it was announced to us that the day’s ride was cancelled (moved to Sunday) due to a washed out road and no alternate routes less than 160 miles…  So then most of us simply continued to eat breakfast and began pondering what we wanted to do with our extra day in Rehoboth.  Then a few minutes later we learned that a bypass was created especially for us! But that the road would be impassable by vehicles.  So we had maybe 15 miles with traffic and then a great 50 miles with virtually nothing!  Everyone on the tour that began the ride finished the ride, perhaps a tour first!?  Also, it was many peoples’ first “Century Ride” (any ride exceeding 100 miles) including Joel and John!

10 flats and 2 falls

John Noordhof (guy with smugmug pics) standing next to washed out road area!

Washed out road filled in with dirt where I am standing.

Hard to see but the road collapsed about 3 ft down, with the ravine about 10 ft deep...

For you civil engineers! (Mark and Anna)

Hail/Rain/Thunder Storm in Rehoboth (they hadn't had rain for 8 months prior!)

July 7 – Sunday…  Much deserved day of rest

Slow start to the morning (until we learned that we had French toast for breakfast) so Joel and John were standing first and second in line 10 minutes before the food was ready…!  Church service mainly in English but with a few songs in Navajo at Bethel Christian Reformed (or something like that) in Shiprock, NM.  Lunch provided by the church, taco-like toppings on fried flatbread, definitely a great meal!  Then a relaxing day of sitting around until the shuttles to the nearby pool starting at 6. 

Anyone read Navajo?  I forgot what song this is...

July 8 – Monday

Day began quite early regardless of an expectedly (and reasonably) easy ride today.  Almost (if not) everyone got into camp before 12 (lunchtime).  Very relaxing day at “Wines of San Juan” (winery) culminating in tours (and tasting) for those of us over 21.  I (Joel) decided that I do not like the taste of wine at all, it must be an acquired taste?  Debate came up over where the camp and winery boundary line was due to a rule of “no alcohol consumption in camp”.  Supper was too good!  Many of us overfilled our plates (and consequently our tummies)!

10 flats and 3 falls

July 9 – Tuesday 

Ouch!  What a doosie (however you spell that…)  Almost 90 miles going continually up and down quite large hills.  Total elevation increase was 6000 ft with downhills of a mere 4000 ft.  Not to mention the unexpectedly strong headwinds for the last 15 miles or so…  Joel, Sherry, and Larry were concerned that they would miss the beginning of supper (which was delayed for the 20 or so people that hadn't made it in by 5, thankfully).  I think that everyone agreed that today had been the hardest day yet of the tour, including the late (but justifiable) arrival of the gear truck at 6 pm.  Also, John fell today!  Something about the combination of going uphill, a lacking road shoulder, and eating a smoothie...  I personally find it funny ( but maybe John doesn't.)

July 10 – Wednesday – The Pass!

Today began with a 21 mile long climb of 3000 ft to a pass through the mountains into Colorado.  Followed by an intense race down the other side (7 miles) on which many people averaged over 30 mph (with a good dose of the brakes)!  Including the open range cattle and sharp curves it made for an exciting ride!  Some people even had to “scare” (is it wise to actually scare a cow) a baby cow out of the lane they were travelling down at ~30 mph!  After the steep descent we had a slow but steady downhill finish for the last 35-40 miles.  Today, unexpectedly enough, the wind was relatively behind us!  What a great change of pace!  On the other hand, I hear that Larry and Sherry had to fight their way through some hail while climbing, thankfully most of us avoided anything similar!

Can you tell that we are now in Colorado?  Hint, it's not a desert anymore!

The tour is going great still, apart from very much hurting seats...  Why can't someone find a way to make bike saddles comfortable?!?!  Supper is in 30 minutes, so I'm heading out to find my dishes and get in line before everyone else thinks to!  And I'm gonna make Sherry (my mom...) write the blog this weekend, so look forward to it!