tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48465875039128399332024-03-05T01:05:19.643-05:00Great Divide Memorial Ride For Dad 2012This ride is a fundraiser for the American Diabetes Association in memory of Dick Weirich.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-73371557234242924412012-08-04T17:25:00.001-04:002012-08-04T17:33:23.726-04:00Back in New Hampsha with the Bike Pahked in the Yahd<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">So we have made it back home to our girls and boys here in New Hampsha! We are back to sharing our bed with 2 large Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs. Just like sleeping in a narrow space in the tent, except with puppy dog smell instead of the interesting odor we had emanating from the funkified tent (i think it was Jen). So a few things from the trail, I believe that the washboarded roads that we encountered quite often were developed by Dentists. Yea that's right Dentists, because I am certain that my fillings and crowns have been rattled loose and require some dental attention. I was also able to develop some talent, I was able to master the following while riding: reading the map; unfolding and folding the map; taking the camera out of the case on my handlebar, taking the lens cap off, taking a pic, lens cap back on and put the camera away (without dropping it); eating; texting; listening to voicemail; talking on cell; drinking; adjusting Ipod; videoing. List of talents NOT mastered: no handed riding (almost crashed on the last day); relieving myself while riding (especially into a head wind, what a mess). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We enjoyed the aspect of being outside everyday and being somewhere different every day and night. Our focus was where we were going to sleep, what we were going to eat, and where we would find more water. Our minds and bodies really went into a more primitive state, more of a survival mode. We got to eat whatever we wanted to eat, all while losing weight. Move over Biggest Loser, we have a new reality show, Ride, Eat, and Ride Some More...You will lose weight and gain only calluses on your buttocks. Doesn't get any better than that! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We feel like we are on an award show with all the thank you's we have. So grab a drink and something to eat and stick around for awhile. Okay, we don't want to miss anyone so we would like to send out a sincere, BIG THANK YOU to all of you </span><span style="font-size: large;">who offered up a donation which assisted in exceeding our fundraising goal, those of you </span><span style="font-size: large;">along the divide that we encountered, everyone following our blog, as well as our house sitter Chelsea and her lovely family Amy and Dezi. We were truly humbled by the generosity of strangers and acquaintances alike, there are some truly good people in this world, those people include YOU! We feel extremely grateful to have had this opportunity and very much appreciate our employers for allowing us the security of returning to jobs that we both really enjoy...Thank you Louis and Lois!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">All in all we had an AWESOME time, what a GREAT freakin ride!!</span><span style="font-size: large;">Until next time....remember chamois butt'r is not to be ingested nor used as a facial lotion, it is of course the savior of chafing. And only apply with your non-dominant hand in order to avoid certain embarrassment of rubbing it on and eating with the same hand. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="huge">It is better to travel well than to arrive.</span><br /><span class="bodybold"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/b/buddha.html">-Buddha</a></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">NEW PHOTOS HAVE BEEN ADDED, COPY AND PASTE THE ADDRESS, AT THE TOP OF THE RIGHT HAND COLUMN, INTO YOUR ADDRESS BAR AND ENJOY!</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-30314012565418817172012-08-01T16:55:00.000-04:002012-08-01T21:41:33.108-04:00Day 49: WOOOOOOHOOOOO We did it!!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">July 29, Rode the last 45 miles from Hachita to the border at Antelope Wells, NM and were given a red, white and blue Popsicle by the border patrol guards. This was our treat for riding 2730 miles in 49 days and it never tasted so good. We finished up at 11:40 am on a sunny hot day, riding it in about 3 hours and 20 minutes. It was a day filled with various emotions, all in all we are just elated! We did it! Thank you to all of our donors, as we were able to exceed our goal which is just freakin awesome!! Soon after we finished we got a text from another couple we know from New Hampshire, that are also riding the great divide and they had just entered the US from Canada. Go Patty and Chris, you are in for an amazing ride! Thank you Lloyd and Carolyn for picking us up at the border, so we didn't have to hitchhike. We really appreciate you doing such a service for riders, you two are wonderful people. We will do a couple of final posts from home as we fly home on August 2....now it is time to relax by the pool and enjoy some down time and margaritas!! Cheers for now, remember to check back for some final posts. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-47205090916998991972012-08-01T16:05:00.001-04:002012-08-01T16:05:28.396-04:00Day 48: It's mostly downhill from here<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday July 29: We wanted to get an early start to beat the heat and the storms, though I did not hear my watch alarm and we ended up leaving an hour later. Lucky for us it still worked out well both heat and storm wise. We rode 80 miles to Hachita, the last 20 miles were against a head/cross wind. We could see Hachita for miles and didn't seem like we were getting any closer. We were able to find Sam's house by memory as we had camped there 4 years ago. Sam is a nice and generous gentleman, who is a trail angel for the Continental Divide Hikers and Bikers. Sam gave us some cold sodas and watermelon from his neighbor as we watched smokey and the bandit with him and his dog 'bear.' Sam told us that about 45 people live in Hachita, which is filled with abandoned houses and a post office that they were able to petition to keep open, because the next closest one is well rather far away. Sam do take care of yourself. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-53534818987328323882012-08-01T15:51:00.001-04:002012-08-01T15:51:11.706-04:00Day 47: The breakfast of divide riders...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Saturday July 28, woke up early to some drizzle, decided to wait it out before embarking on our short 30 mile ride into Silver City, NM and to a cyclist only lodging at William's house. Getting ready to eat our oatmeal for the upteenth morning, we were generously offered some eggs and bacon by Bob Barker himself. We fried the eggs in the bacon fat, sure to give us the energy we needed for a climb out of Lake Roberts. Eggs fried in bacon fat never tasted so good! After scarfing that down, we went back to packing up our stuff, typical morning routine, when we heard Joe yell 'come and get your breakfast.' He had made us an egg, sausage, bacon and cheese burrito, yummy! Thank you again to Bob, Joe and Sara Jean for your hospitality and food, it was much appreciated and assisted us with the climbs we had to do that day to get to Silver City. Bob also gave us some ham to make sandwiches to take with us. We rolled into Silver City around 11 as it was paved all the way with a couple of hills along the way. Did laundry at William's house and stayed in his guest home. William, we really enjoyed your company and simplicity, hope you had a good 3 day ride! Made some final preparations for the shuttle service and to camp at Sam's house in Hachita the next night. The anticipation of the end is building. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-7676849142012089662012-08-01T15:40:00.001-04:002012-08-01T15:40:15.641-04:00Day 46: Come on down, you are the next contestant on the ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">July 27: 57 miles from Beaverhead Work Center to Mesa Campground at Lake Roberts. Today I will say I actually felt like I was loosing weight as we rode, this was probably the hottest day thus far and a few times the wind stopped and the sweat saturated our jerseys. This was a hard day, lots of climbing, took us 7 hours 30 minutes to go 57 miles. We rode through some beautiful country in the Gila Wilderness with tall ponderosa trees and a lush forest, thanks to the fires they have had in the past. So we get to the campground, wanting to go to the store we ask our camp neighbor, Bob Barker, that's right folks, Bob Barker was at the campground! He told us the store was another 4 miles down the road and generously offered to give us a ride as well as offering up a burrito for dinner and allowed us to use his gas stove. Thank you Bob you are a kind hearted person and very welcoming, we enjoyed the company. We also went to another camp neighbor who had ridden his bike to silver city and then back the next day. Albert is a retired teacher, just getting into some bike touring. It was nice talking with you Albert. The next morning Albert presented us with a check for a donation to the ADA, thank you soo much Albert, let us know when you make it to New Hamsphire!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After eating Bob's burrito and some of our own food we were also invited over to Joe and Sara Jean's camp for some burgers and dogs. You two are some kind souls thank you for the great food and the company. It was nice to be around all these nice and generous folks, what an uplift for the last 160 miles. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-64097949777668772492012-08-01T15:18:00.002-04:002012-08-01T15:18:56.228-04:00We could have just taken the bus out of Pie Town....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Though I think the bus had a foul odor coming from it and seemed to have some crappy service in which it would run from behind at least once or twice a day. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-82243878997703253122012-08-01T15:10:00.001-04:002012-08-01T15:10:58.291-04:00Day 45: Thursday July 26...Game of the mountain lion vs the divide riders<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">In this episode of divide rider vs mountain lion, the mountain lion are the storms that continue to happen in the afternoon. We rode 71 miles into the Gila Wilderness to the Beaverhead Work Center. At about mile 56 or 57, we again ran into storms with lightening and rain. We rode as fast and hard as we could to reach the trees, so we weren't the tallest thing around and the rode had remnants of previous attempts of people trying to ride and drive through the mud. The roads here become impassable with too much rain and the only thing you can do is sit in your tent and watch the road dry out. I mean as fun as it sounds to watch dirt dry to mud, we decided to do all we could to not have this happen. We were able to ride through the storm and roll into the Beaverhead work station unscathed. Along the way we again met up with the Danish riders Kim and Anders, who told us how they had eaten the pie at the toaster house that was in the fridge as the note in the fridge said "made fresh Monday" and it was only Wednesday. They proceeded to tell us that there was another note inside the house they discovered after eating the pie that was dated Monday July 9, apparently that was the Monday that the pies were made (remember it is now July 26. Anders gave us some water, as each possible water source was nonexistent, even with all the afternoon thunderstorms. Thank you Anders for the kindness of giving some your water to us, it was much appreciated! Earlier in the day we were riding along when I let out a falsetto scream as a snake was in the middle of the road and we rode right by it, I think it may have been an anaconda! (it was actually a baby bull snake, we found out later)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Up until the storms rolled in, the weather was perfect for riding, cloudy and in the 70s. Our Danish friends brandished enough quarters to buy us a round of sodas at the Beaverhead work station, where we decided to camp with more storms looming in the distance. The Danes with their fearless optimism rode on after waiting a couple of hours. They left us some quarters for the soda machine, so even though we don't really drink too much soda at home, out here anything is a treat and will be consumed. So I decided on a 'wild cherry pepsi' yup that sounds good after dinner. Put the quarters in press the button and what falls out of the machine but a lemonade. Did I mention we had bought lemonade powder along the way to add to the water to make it more drinkable and easier to hydrate, and the powder stuff was better, so much for the wild cherry pepsi. At the Beaverhead Word Center, Michael was the head ranger and told us about the fires earlier in the summer that were only 10 miles to the west and how the area we were currently in was covered with smoke for 10 days with very poor air quality. Thanks Mike for your hospitality, much appreciated. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-21547373215702013472012-08-01T14:34:00.001-04:002012-08-01T14:34:32.508-04:00Day 44: Wed. July 25....Time to eat some Pie!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">We saddled up early at the ranch to rope the calves, actually to get to pie town, nm, where yes they have pies! For the inquiring minds, the pies came before the name of the town. We got to the Daily Pie Cafe at 1055am, just at the start of the lunch menu, which is what we wanted. After devouring a steak sandwich and fries and Jen devouring a gigantic burger and fries, we set our sights on some pie al a mode. I went with the blueberry and Jen went with the triple berry, yuuuummmmy! We learned that the pies are made with the healthier lard and not crisco, which is full of unhealthy hydrogenized trans fats. The pies were delic! While at the cafe, we met 2 riders from Denmark at the cafe, Kim and Anders, talked with them about our experiences up to this point and about the last couple hundred miles there is to go. They were some nice chaps and were going to stay in Pie Town at the toaster house, while we were going to put in another 30 miles to the USFS campground. We stopped at the toaster house to reminisce about our stay there 4 years ago and signed the book. We ended up riding a total of 60 miles to the Valle Tio Vinces Campground in the Gila Wilderness, where we actuallyhad cell service. We knew once we reached Pie Town the end was not far and thoughts of finishing entered our minds at times along with the emotions that come along with finishing such an adventure. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-41761816676416956962012-08-01T13:32:00.001-04:002012-08-01T21:51:52.478-04:00Day 43 Tuesday July 24 Tray of Cupcakes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">'Sexy and I know it...I ride my bike'</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Grants to York Ranch, 49 miles. The day started out needing to fix the BOB trailer bearing that was completely disintegrated. Went to the Diamond G True Value, where Bert was more than kind and generous in assisting us with replacing the bearing. When he found out that we were riding for the ADA, he told us about his nephew who was diagnosed at 5 years old and had recently passed away at a young age. He took a break to go home to see if he would have a bearing at home, that he could get off an old bike. We eventually found one at napa and went back to Bert at the True Value, where he assisted and donated his time to get the reminants of the old bearing out and install the new one. Thank you Bert for your time and effort, a truly generous thing that I am sure your Nephew would have appreciated you doing for us. So needless to say, we got a late start out of Grants and again rode into the stormy afternoon towards Pie Town, NM. Along the way we saw a tray of cupcakes along the road, slammed on the brakes and evaluated the situation for consumption. Unfortunately the lid was no longer on them or we (well I) would have most likely eaten them, no really I actually still thought about it even though they looked to have been through at least a rain storm. So we rode on, lookin for some trail magic, when we decided to make it happen ourselves. Rode into the York ranch in search of some shelter to camp and were offered the barn, perfect. Mike, a ranch hand at the farm came out to the barn in the evening and generously offered up some of his homemade chicken and shrimp gumbo. It was perfectly seasoned and delicious!! Thanks Mike! Slept well on the hay, though Jen's sleeping pad had now developed a leak at the valve, which was not repairable, even with duct tape. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-24141072054277471052012-08-01T13:06:00.000-04:002012-08-01T13:11:58.373-04:00Day 42: Monday July ...Hitchhiking 101<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEugvS58KjUoZeNqV_RskIA2LMN3RVlUzp1id8w9GfHuqeP1mrJYz0-q_iyDdzGkipWT2l8ZOV1Ll0mYbtURxTzNgkra9PnccAZl7CV64aqBMf5RWL69rYWZ7u_LTzzOAs2odugUkPE-4/s1600/IMG_1757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEugvS58KjUoZeNqV_RskIA2LMN3RVlUzp1id8w9GfHuqeP1mrJYz0-q_iyDdzGkipWT2l8ZOV1Ll0mYbtURxTzNgkra9PnccAZl7CV64aqBMf5RWL69rYWZ7u_LTzzOAs2odugUkPE-4/s320/IMG_1757.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Leaving Cuba, NM there is an alternate which is recommended if the rains have begun, well the rains have begun and the mountain terrain ahead is reportedly washed out and more rain in the forecast. So we set off to ride the 123 mile alternate on pavement that takes us thru a Navajo reservation with no real camping opportunities. We gota n early start, knowing it was going to be a long day, felt pretty good, then hit a wall around 70 miles. Along with the wall we discovered that I had completely blown a bearing on my BOB wheel, so it was just wobbling around, not good. We stopped at a convenience store for some grub and cold drinks as the temps were rising up to the upper 80s. I use the bathroom, my sunglasses on my straw hat, fall into the toilet, before i had a chance to flush. I grab a handful of paper towels, knowing that I need them, held my breath and went in to fish them out and turned the sink faucet on full blast. Again we are riding along and the afternoon thunderstorms begin to pop up with lightening, rain is fine, lightening is not. Realizing we may not get to Grants until really late, if we made it at all with the bearing and the storms and no place to camp, we opted to hitchhike. Now we have not done this before, which was apparent to the person that picked us up. He slowed up, had a confused look on his face then ended up turning around unsure what or if we wanted anything. He told us he thought at first we were just waving then he realized that our hands remained in the air and decided to be turn around to check. We greatly appreciated ride to Grants. So we ended up riding 87 out of the 123 miles and we were ok with the one fast forward we took.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-24184324307866762132012-07-28T17:12:00.001-04:002012-07-28T17:20:42.441-04:00The End is Near!!!!....Almost Margharita time!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today is July 29, we are currently in Silver City, NM, 123.9 miles from the border and the terminus of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. Unfortunately due to time constraints, we can't update you on the past week at this time, nor can we upload pics. We will add all this to the blog after we finish. Our plan is to ride 77 miles tomorrow to Hachita, camp in Sam's yard then leave Monday July 30 in the morning to ride the last 47 miles to the border, Antelope Wells, NM. We had to book our flight in advance and gave ourselves some time, so we don't fly home until August 2 from El Paso, TX. We are excited about the possibility of meeting up with our very good friend and my Latin American Brother from another Mother, Juan in El Paso. He is being sent to the base there before shipping off overseas. Once we get to the border we will have a shuttle service waiting for us to drive us to our destination. So this is it, we are excited and overwhelmed at times with various emotions. Next time need to bring some sort of laptop, netbook, whatever to be able to update more regularly and not be constrained by time. So hopefully the spot tracker is working, for anyone who really gives a flies butt, you can track us til the end in the right hand column, go down to the map scroll over and click on my name 'Doug Wenger et al' and see us finish. Can't wait to see the fanfare at the end, hope you all can make it! ;~)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-47123810697027716822012-07-22T20:11:00.002-04:002012-07-22T20:11:41.023-04:00Day 41: July 22 Nice and relatively easy ride<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">We rolled into Cuba, NM, 43 miles, got in early and will dry out our stuff before heading out into the desert tomorrow. It is now time to trade in our aluminum horses for Camels. The heat is on and the monsoon season has arrived early, so every afternoon there is some rain and a storm. We are on schedule to finish up on July 30, maybe the 31st. Thank you Leif for the cold water today, again, it was a boost to get us into town. The cattle troughs were dried up and we almost had a stand off with a momma cow that did not want to get out of the way. Thank you to Winsor, who donated $20 to us at the restaurant today, that was very kind and generous. I will try to update pics at another time, sorry for the delay, internet is limited, and the blog takes up a lot of time. We are over our goal, we made it before entering New Mexico, so thank you to all the donors!! Let's see how much we can raise before we finish in another 7-8 days. Blog you later!</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-81395200291504240382012-07-22T20:02:00.001-04:002012-07-22T20:02:03.844-04:00Day 40: July 21 Toughest Day Yet!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">This was by far our toughest day yet, rode 42 miles in 8 hours up to 10,000 feet where we got caught in a thunderstorm with hail and rain. The temp dropped at least 20 degrees and we ended up camping up high with hail, rain and lightening. It was a day of uphill all the way, gaining about 5,000 in elevation. Wow what a tough day!!! We were exhausted and did not like the relentless nature of the storms. Typically one would roll in, then out, this was one after another. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-17756647973201779792012-07-22T19:55:00.002-04:002012-07-22T19:55:44.945-04:00Day 39: July 20 (i think) Mexican Eatin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C0UptkyyHjv9jTgJ_p2_sZRSB_E-sxkGH7hRK8XQgm0AE6MAoc1kshJWfk5iTDx-n-ZFGVjUf_4Kq76nBHbjBLQuCj16zOiyu3RC9Jpqzqz8g5U4ucO9VDnchLVvnt5Bq3xmH-m9tsE/s1600/IMG_1721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C0UptkyyHjv9jTgJ_p2_sZRSB_E-sxkGH7hRK8XQgm0AE6MAoc1kshJWfk5iTDx-n-ZFGVjUf_4Kq76nBHbjBLQuCj16zOiyu3RC9Jpqzqz8g5U4ucO9VDnchLVvnt5Bq3xmH-m9tsE/s320/IMG_1721.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Rode 75 miles through El Rito, stopping a the famous Mexican Restaurant then on to the Old Abiqui B&B. Met John, another divide rider on the trail, ate with him and we all stayed at the B&B, where Wanda was a lovely hostess. She was willing to touch our laundry in order to wash it. 1 pair of socks and 1 pair of bike shorts holding up rather well, they can also stand up on their own. On the way to El Rito we stopped at a snack shop along the road that has been in business for 20 years started by a brother and sister and now continues to be in operation by their parents. What a nice treat in a remote location. Shared the wine Ted gave us with John and Wanda's friend at the B&B.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-59078621029471943092012-07-22T19:47:00.004-04:002012-07-22T19:47:52.688-04:00Day 38: Not sure what day it is anymore. July ?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">We rode from the ponderosa campground, up over the huge pass and down to a camping spot along the Rio San Antonio. Sounds nice though it was a cow patty stream that was brown in color. We rode 53 miles in 8 hours, it was a tough day with storms and rough terrain. We ended up taking a nap in the tent out of the rain for a bit before riding on. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-48133560940744096232012-07-22T19:44:00.001-04:002012-07-22T19:44:25.189-04:00Day 37: The Ham and Cheese Bagel Sandwich Bandit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is Reiley the Bagel Sandwich Bandit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you see this bloodhound walking around Alamosa bloated and happy, put your sandwich in a secure place. So we woke up in Randy's yard, packed up and decided to go to the grocery store again, as if we had not bought enough the day before. Jen had made us some ham and cheese bagel sandwiches for the road. When we returned from our short shopping trip, we found our food bags strewn around Randy's yard and Reiley standing their with a big grin. The sandwiches were gone! Then we tried to leave and Reiley decided he wanted to go along, no doubt for more bagel sandwiches. Finally I called Randy at work and soon after we were able to shake him off and ride away. Hope you got him Randy. So we did a detour as we were already 34 miles off route we were able to ride 50 miles and rejoin the route down the trail in Horca, CO. We stayed at the Ponderosa Campground, where it was x-mas in July and they were having a party with FOOD. We were invited over to eat by a nice guy named Ted. This is awesome, thanksgiving and x-mas in July! Though I think that is the last of the feasting holidays, unless we can find a place that has Easter in July. Thank you Ted for the conversation on flyfishing, as well as the organic carrots and bottle of wine. On our way to the campground we stopped in Antonito at the water park (town park) and joined in the fun with the 5 kids that were cooling off. </span></div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-89689737350188414482012-07-22T19:28:00.001-04:002012-07-22T19:28:04.151-04:00Day 36: July 16 Good Eatin at Boogies!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">So we rode from Storm King Campground, it was a cold and damp morning until we rode .25 miles up the rode into the sun, where it was hot. We stopped along the way to call in search of a new water filter as the idea of drinking from cattle tanks and troughs without one, gives me the runs. So we rode 32 miles into Del Norte, CO ate at Boogies Restaurant, yummy Boogies! Unable to locate anyone to transport us or the water filter to our location we rode another 34 miles into Alamosa, the closest town with a filter. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Bought a filter and camped at Randy's house, a nice guy who worked at Kristi's Outdoor Store.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-4587340316921582202012-07-22T19:20:00.001-04:002012-07-22T19:20:44.314-04:00Day 35: July 15 The day the water filter shit the bed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Left Salida and rode 74 miles over 2 passes, getting hit with hail and rain over the one. This was only the second time we were going to get up early and we didn't like it, though we knew we had to in order to have a better chance at beating the storms. Well as they say, the weather is a guessing game and you are usually WRONG. The storms ended up rolling in at 11:30, rather than the usual 2pm. We ended up at Storm King Campground, but not before filter the last bit of water we could out of our filter. I am sad to say the PUR Hiker Filter that we have owned for a very long time has been put to rest. Then we are about .2 of a mile from the campground and we run into mud. This isn't your ordinary mud from New Hampsha, this is the sticky, gooey thick mud/muck of the west. It took us some time to reach the campground, having to stop and clean out the mud several times. I was able to ride through the rest then walk back to help Jen with her bike, which has less clearance between her tire and frame. We were tired and the coyotes were howling. This is not your shower and laundry campground this is a forest service, remote, pit toilet campground. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-20152970616270055452012-07-22T19:11:00.000-04:002012-07-22T19:11:10.405-04:00Day 34: July 14 Salida<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">During the night Jen was not feeling well, so we didn't get much sleep that night and decided to take it easy in Salida for the day. A brewfest was in town, though Jen did not think that it would be such a good idea with her no feeling up to par. So we hung out in town, ate some good food and hydrated up. We ended up meeting another couple at the campground, who have been biking for 3 years and will be on the road for another year. We talked with them about biking around South America, sharing stories of various locations. It turned out they were on their honeymoon. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-82579011252541034082012-07-14T14:54:00.001-04:002012-07-14T15:06:03.651-04:00Day 33, July 13: The return of the Chammy Butt'r Topic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">We rode 50 miles from Hartsel to Salida, CO, needing to stop for more Butt'r and some groceries ended up staying in Salida for the night. Another beautiful day in the upper 70s and sunny. The landscape reminded me of Tele-Tubby Land, don't act like you don't know what I am talking about, I never watched them and I know what it looked like. Green rolling hills all around us with the mountains in the distance. Today I found out that if you apply enough "chammy" butt'r to your area and shorts, you create a gel seat without actually buying one. I apparently overused the Butt'r today and I can tell you I was "Gellin!" Well we are about 2 1/2 weeks out from the end if all goes as planned and friends of ours begin their jouney/adventure down the divide in about a week, good luck Patty and Chris! If anyone is around the Antelope Wells, NM region around July 30th and would be willing to give us a ride to the airport that would be great, otherwise we will hitchhike with our bikes and trailers and hope for the best....just kidding, about the hitchhiking. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-55606772439201940702012-07-14T14:48:00.002-04:002012-07-14T14:56:09.135-04:00Day 32, July 12 Silverthorne to Hartsel, CO<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">So we rode 70 miles, fueled by the feast the night before and the big breakfast as well as some leftovers we had along the way. Conquered the 11,600 foot Boreas Pass, which was a nice gradual grade all the way to the top, thank you railroad. Before the pass, we stopped in Breckenridge for some much needed ice cream. Once over the pass, we stopped in Como, CO at the only gig in town for some onion rings and green chili. Made it to our destination the Hartsel Springs Ranch/Lodge to camp in the lawn. Scott was our gracious host and allowed us the use of the facilities. We met up with 2 girls Patrice and McKinley and Bill, Mckinley's dad who were riding the Trans America route and we happened ot intersect at the same place after seeing them on the bike path in the morning outside of Frisco, CO. Thank you girls for making the pasta dinner and sharing your bagels for breakfast, great to meet you and good luck on your ride! We grabbed most of our food to store inside, when I realized I had left one bag out in the trailer bag. Got that and began munching on the snacks we had packed. Jen came in frightened and stated that a mouse just ran out of the BOB bag. I brought the bag in and kept eating, when I noticed a hole in the snack bag that was not there previously. Looked at the grocery bag with the same size hole, thought for only a second, 'could i catch something from this mouse that was nibbling on our snacks?' Then commenced the chowing I had previously started as my hunger pangs outweighed the potential, at least in my mind. Washed it down with rotten egg smelling water, mixing it with gatorade powder to mask the smell. The next morning went to put our bike shoes on that we had left outside and the little mouse, not only at some of our snacks, he then proceeded to poop in our shoes. Thanks for the return of the snacks there stuart little!</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-36050479367374039432012-07-11T21:34:00.002-04:002012-07-11T21:34:37.157-04:00Thanksgiving in July<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Doug and I want to say a BIG thank you to Bona for allowing us to take over her house and chill out for the day. We had pasta salad upon arrival and then she made an awesome turkey dinner with a garden fresh salad! We ate alot and it was amazing!! I think we may enter a food eating contest upon our return to NH. Thank you also for allowing us to use your car so we could go to the grocery store. And the whirlpool bath was awesome as well, I did not want to get out. Thank you so much for your hospitality and allowing us into your home. This was a real energy boost for the last 1,000 miles. Can't wait to see what we are having for breakfast! ;~)</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-38698542790483533862012-07-11T19:40:00.003-04:002012-07-11T19:40:51.215-04:00Day 31 July 11: The road to the feast in Silverthorne<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">So we got up at our usually 7am time, after a night of howling coyotes and foxes and set off at 9am to ride as fast as we could to Silverthorne, CO. Our very good friend, Sara, has a sister-in-law, Bona, who graciously invited us into her home for a "feast," whirlpool tub and a place to sleep. We pondered this (not at all) and decided to accept the offer. We rode fast and hard thinking of what will come at the end of our day. We did 38 miles and got in around 1pm to Silverthorne. We rode over another pass, Ute pass 9, 524ft. We still have at least two more 10,000ft + passes to go over. Only 1,055.2 miles to go, on the home stretch! I will say spandex by themselves are not a good look, tight spandex even worse, and loose spandex, well that isn't any better and is where we are headed. I was informed today by my lovely wife that I have lost some weight and it shows, though I say I wear it well, spandex included! </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-20089474331588145372012-07-11T19:26:00.001-04:002012-07-11T19:26:57.990-04:00Day 30, July 10: up, down, up, down, way up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Rode 52 miles from Lynx Pass to William Ford Resevoir Campground. Went through Radium, CO where all the ups and downs happened along with an unbelieveable double up hill that was not followed by a rewarding downhill. Though the downhill earlier in the day was rewarding enough as we had heard horror stories of the riders heading north having to go up some of what we went down. It was a hot day, difficult to hydrate with warm/semi-hot water and gatorade. Found a purple handkerchief to go with my newly found t-shirt, this outfit is shaping up nicely! Stopped at Radium RiverRunners and got some cold drinks, this was a nice treat as there was nothing indicated on the map. I will say, we are waiting for the Coloradians to step it up here with some much needed trail magic, cold drinks, invites for dinner, etc. If anyone is out there following this blog and in colorado, follow our spot and feel free to bring us a treat. ;~) So we saw our 3rd UPS truck on a back, dirt road that is sparsely populated, go brown! Made some spaghetti that turned to mush as we attempted to save some fuel for our stove and put the pasta in the water before boiling. We choked it down with some olive oil and parmesan and called it gourmet. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846587503912839933.post-60400002632265629522012-07-11T19:13:00.002-04:002012-07-11T19:28:02.525-04:00Day 29, July 9: Long Road to the Top<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">So we got out of Steamboat around 2 and figured well we are only going about 40 miles, how bad can it be? So we each grabbed a gigantic burrito from Azteca Tacqueria, ate it all and set out on the trail. It felt like a loong day even though we were only out for 5 hours. I know, only 5 hours, it was flat at first, gave time for that burrito to stay where it was supposed to, then hit the uphill for the majority of the day. Up to Lynx Pass 8,937 ft. Jen was having second thoughts about being glad to be in Colorado as the mountains are back! So our trail magic came at the end of the day when the forest service campground that was supposedly closed was open and we were able to end the day alittle early and it was on route. Met a 3 day bikepacker, Dave and hung out for a couple hours before going to bed exhausted. Oh, we did find a t-shirt embedded in the trail, my size, not really my style though. It said "I'm not a doctor, but I will take a peek" Breckenridge, Co. We picked it up and ended up using a sleeve to assist in filtering water from the stream. Hope to ripe the other sleeve off and maybe make it into a sporty, retro sleeveless, half-shirt! Pics to come.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2