Miles: 109; riding time: 6:54 avg speed:15.8 ; max speed: 44; total trip miles: 757 ; weather: clouds, & sun, 70's; Alt change: -500 climb up 2000’ and then back down to 45000' . Flats 1 for total of two. Ibuprofen: none yet but getting close. Pictures are here.The day started out a bit unusually. I woke at 4:00 and by 4:30 was ready to get started on the day but did not want to wake Jim. So, I grabbed my glasses and went in to shave, take pills and do all that morning stuff. When I looked into the mirror I was a bit startled at my blurred vision – I had not worn sunglasses that bright day and so was quite concerned. I blinked and put in drops but it did not clear up. Another failing body part on this ride, I thought. I even looked at my glasses to make sure I had picked up mine and not Jim’s. I lay down again in the dark and put the glasses down – right on top of another pair that turned out to be mine after all.
Jim’s looked exactly like mine and were pretty close in prescription but not quite the same. What a relief that was! And you can be sure I will be wearing sunglasses from here on in regardless of the morning light.The day held plenty of variety. The scenery was again dialed on fabulous. I absolutely love this rugged changing desert terrain. Sage rejuvenated by the regular rains blanketed the lower elevations while the snow splotched Ruby mountains rose up to our south. Rocks and sand
tie it all together. Nothing boring about his even though I80 stretches endlessly through it. The day began with a few rose colored clouds in the east and then cleared off entirely. As the day progressed those tall clouds began to form all over the horizon settling in over the mountains. The wind was with us in the morning but shifted as the day went on until we had to fight into it some toward the end. We had long gradual inclines and one 4-5% climb over several miles to get us up to the 7000’ level 70 miles out.
Load time was early – 5:45 with breakfast at 6:00. Everyone was antsy to roll knowing a long day lay ahead. After yesterday’s pace line discussion, Jack and I got one organized adding in Brad, Zero, Seattle Bob, Chuck and Jim. We got rolling and set a medium pace to the I80 entrance 8 miles out. It soon became evident that Jim was struggling. I hung back while the others rolled on. The accumulation of miles over 9 days was taking its toll on him. His pacemaker and heart were not supplying him the oxygen he needed, slowing his pace, especially on the ups. I hung with Jim and we chatted and moseyed as others passed by. I climbed on ahead to the 40 mile SAG stop and when Jim rolled in he decided he would take the van for a while. I set out with Leigh from there and we chatted and rolled along comfortably until the long climb before the 70 mile SAG stop. She's a free lance political research consultant in Seattle, loves to garden and to travel -- especially to out of the way places like Viet Nam where she bicycled not all that long ago. She has recently taken up triathlons and biking more seriously. We wound our way up through the hills with orange barrels separating us from the singled lane of I80 traffic.
When I crested, the SAG van was at the top with Gerard snapping photos as he often does on the days he doesn’t ride. Our original pace line guys were there ready to roll on and Jim was there as well, having sagged in earlier. Brad, Zero, Chuck, Jack and Bob graciously waited for this old guy to get some pbj and bananas in him and inspect the local facilities before shoving off for the long descent. Once at the bottom the 6 of us regrouped and rode the next 15 miles in formation.
About that time I began bouncing in the saddle whenever I stepped on it and thought that this was not a good sign. Ever observant Bob soon warned me of a low rear tire. So, everyone stopped for me and we had a flat fixing session. One little thorn was the culprit but at least I found it. When we resumed there was mention of a double pace line which we thought we should try. This amiable bunch agreed quickly on the particulars including a counterclockwise rotation every mile or so. This all worked very well for us as we were now able to talk, keep the line tighter, and ride in the front more often.
Soon we were at our destination. Turned out this is a casino with some hotel rooms attached. Acres of slots, blackjack tables and roulette wheels and other stuff I love to hate arranged to keep you trapped as long as possible, lit so you can’t tell night from day, arranged so you can’t get anywhere you want to go without passing dozens of places to drop money, surrounded with upbeat music to make you think you’re enjoying yourself and ringed with ATM machines to make it so convenient to spend money you don’t have. Registration was at one end of this maze and the rooms at the other so that you had to pass through. And no wifi in this hotel – it might keep folks from the casino.
Dinner was exceptional with a buffet like nothing I’ve seen in some time. Every imaginable appetizer, salad and main dish topped by a desert counter that would make most Austrian Konditorei’s jealous.
And now it’s off to bed early. Jim has decided not to ride tomorrow again and so get two rest days before resuming. Good choice, probably given how he’s feeling, but also a tough choice to make, I know. Am praying for him and hope some others might as well.
