Day 2 - wind please go away!

 provided a break.On a frigid night, the temperature dropped below 40°F. I only had a 55°F sleeping bag, while Jordan had a 35°F sleeping bag and zipped it entirely due to the cold.

We awoke at 6:00 a.m. and spent approximately an hour dismantling the campsite and packing our belongings. To our disappointment, the campground did not provide water as advertised. Fortunately, a neighboring camper noticed our predicament and generously supplied us with all the water we needed (1.5 gallons). We faced a 60-mile journey through desolate Colorado, where there were no available water sources. We successfully evaded capture by 7:26 a.m.

We were traveling east with a 12-14 MPH wind blowing from the southeast. I decided it was best for me to continue driving the trailer, while Jordan broke the wind and allowed me to draft. We averaged 12.4 MPH, but we encountered numerous steep hills. With the headwind and the incline, the uphill walking provided a respite. At approximately 40 miles, I required a rest as Jordan was exhausted. Londell laid next to the road, and passersby stopped to inquire about my well-being.

Is he OK?

Hill looked small, but it was not!

Crook, Colorado - The best building we saw!

During our cycling expedition, we encountered a challenging downhill section spanning approximately 45 miles. Although the photograph may depict it as a relatively short descent, the actual distance extended over a mile and presented a significant incline. Despite attempting to utilize the brakes, the resulting shimmy caused the bicycle to lose control. To decelerate, I maintained a firm grip on the handlebars. However, I reached a speed of 45 miles per hour before the Garmin device malfunctioned, rendering its readings unreliable.

Upon reaching the base of the hill, we paused to alleviate the severe cramps in my hands.

Our journey ultimately led us to Steeling, Colorado, at 1:30 PM. Initially intended as our daily rest stop, a strong southeast wind, originating from Sterling and moving northeast, prompted us to continue our progress. The extent of our remaining distance remains uncertain, but once we perceive that our day’s exertion has been sufficiently fulfilled, we will seek a suitable location to establish camp.

As previously mentioned, we experienced a favorable tailwind and opted to accelerate our pace. However, this decision proved to be ill-advised as the wind conditions shifted abruptly, and ominous signs of an approaching storm became evident. In a state of urgency, we diligently searched for secure locations to set up our tents and shield ourselves from the impending heavy winds and rain.

Upon reaching Crook, Colorado, we had yet to identify a safe and appropriate site. We considered establishing our camp behind a church, but this location was situated near our residence, raising concerns about potential objections from the church authorities regarding our impromptu camping arrangement.

Despite the challenging conditions, including strong winds and exhaustion, we persevered. I was managing to prevent the charley horse in my right leg, but I knew I was nearing the end of my journey. At 90 miles for the day and 200 for the first two days, we were approaching the end of our trek.

Just past Crook, Colorado, approximately 30 minutes before sunset, we realized we couldn't find a suitable campsite. We passed Monty Anderson’s house, which I did not know, and he was setting up his homemade putting green and sand trap outside. He appeared friendly, so I approached him to inquire if we could set up our tents on the side of his driveway. He offered to provide us with his garage. We gratefully accepted his offer, as wind gusts exceeded 30 MPH, and the rain intensified around midnight.

As a side note, Monty shared that he and his wife were teachers. One day, while hanging Christmas lights along the roof of their house, his wife untangled the string of lights and fell backward, resulting in paraplegia. He suggested that we consider staying in his house, but we assured him that the garage was adequate. This was a wise decision, as he was already demonstrating such kindness.

We set up our tents for the night, and Jordan prepared another dehydrated meal. The Jet Boil proved to be an effective cooking device. He also prepares his own coffee in the morning. While the indoors provided a comfortable environment, the concrete floor was less forgiving than the dirt ground. Another advantage was the ability to charge all our electronic devices.

Initially, Jordan positioned himself as far away from me as possible due to the snoring. However, he moved closer when the moths became so prevalent that the center of the garage offered the best protection.

Summary of Day 2:

The total distance covered was 90.6 miles, with an average speed of 12.7 miles per hour (excluding breaks). The total riding time was 7 hours and 10 minutes. The day’s duration was slightly under 12 hours, with a temperature range of 42°F at the beginning to nearly 93°F at the peak.

According to Garmin Connect, the total ascent was 1,018 feet, while the descent was 1,881 feet. The net decrease in elevation was 778 feet, transitioning from 4,738 feet to 5,100 feet with a climb, ultimately resulting in an overall elevation of 3,960 feet.

Our 10 miles splits from MapMyRide (time includes breaks, and mph is based only on riding time) were:

0-10 in 0:53:00 - 11.6 mph

10-20 in 1:05:31 - 12.2 mph

20-30 in 0:46:22 - 13.7 mph

30-40 in 1:17:04 - 11.8 mph

40-50 in 1:08:36 - 12.8 mph

50-60 in 0:48:37 - 12.6 mph

60-70 in 3:28:18 - 13.4 mph

70-80 in 1:00:14 - 13.4 mph

80-90 in 0:53:34 - 12.7 mph

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Comments from my original blog - I merged the blogs.

wildknitsMay 18, 2014 at 9:11 PM  You are off - and to a good start it seems!  Be safe, have fun and enjoy this time together.   I understand about wind, it is what finally "broke" me this winter.

Let the fun begin!

Initially, I had planned to depart earlier. However, upon waking at 5:00 AM, I discovered that the weather was experiencing heavy rainfall. I consulted the radar, which indicated that the precipitation was expected to subside early. By 7:30 AM, the rain had ceased, and I awoke Jordan.

At 8:15 a.m., we were optimistic about the favorable weather conditions before our journey began. The temperature was approximately 45 degrees, and a gentle breeze was blowing in our favor. We intend to cover a distance of less than 100 miles on this inaugural camping day. We deemed it unnecessary to delay our departure, as the ride is likely to remain rain-free over the subsequent 12-16 days. The forecast predicted consistent rainfall throughout the week.

All smiles before we head out

Jordan also desired to complete the angry photo before we commenced. Below is our initial attempt to express anger towards each other. It appeared somewhat artificial—special thanks to Katerina Bujnoch for capturing the photographs.

I tried to look angry, but it did not work.

The commencement of the journey proved challenging. The loaded trailer attempted to exert control over the bicycle. I required a significantly greater grip on the handlebars to perceive the trailer’s impact on the bicycle. I was gradually adjusting, but my test rides differed from those conducted in this fully loaded trailer. Approximately 13 miles into the ride, he necessitated a halt. The initial portion of the journey traversed excellent trails, and numerous designated stops were provided, as per the requirements. He required a stop, and you can discern the reason for this.

First official stop

Our second destination of the day is Brighton, Colorado, approximately 43.3 miles away, and we anticipate arriving in three hours and seven minutes. We have now transitioned from the well-maintained Colorado trails to more challenging roads. US Business 85, a moderately busy two-lane highway without a shoulder, will serve as our initial route. This will eventually lead us to US 85, a four-lane highway with a shoulder.

Jordan attempted to tow the trailer, but it proved to be an overwhelming challenge for his bike. This situation caused him frustration and self-blame. (Subsequently, I conducted a Google search and discovered two issues related to the trailer’s weight exerting control over the bike. Jordan was equipped with 25 racing-type tires, while my 28-inch Gator skins and over 100 pounds of additional weight created a significant disparity.)

As the temperature began to rise, we refilled our water supplies. The clouds have completely dissipated, and we are experiencing a slight headwind. It is currently approximately 12:30 PM, and we are maintaining a satisfactory pace. We have planned a rest stop at the easternmost point of our route, approximately 51 miles from our current location.

During our lunch break at Subway in Platteville, Colorado, we covered approximately 50 miles in the first three and a half hours of our ride, with a distance of about 46 miles remaining to reach the campground. Despite feeling generally well, we experienced a slight headwind of approximately 10 MPH, which was somewhat frustrating.

 

We considered ordering larger sandwiches to save some for later consumption, but ultimately only managed to save Jordan’s cookies. After a 45-minute rest, we resumed our journey, but the sensation of having been riding persisted. One crucial reminder was to reapply chamois butt’r to the bottom of our bikes, as it serves a similar purpose to sunscreen and requires frequent application throughout the day.

Upon departing Platteville, Colorado, our progress was initially smooth. However, we encountered an unexpected challenge when Jordan attempted to tow the trailer with the bike setup we had. The combination of the trailer and the wind proved to be overwhelming, causing the bike to lose control.

We successfully reached Greeley, Colorado (70 miles) just before 3:00 PM, leaving us with a remaining distance of 26 miles to the campsite. As we navigated through the town, we experienced the first of three flat tires (two on Jordan’s bike and one on the trailer). Unfortunately, I (Londell) made a careless mistake by pinching a tube, necessitating another replacement.

The most significant setback occurred when we realized we had forgotten to bring a Schrader valve pump for the trailer. Fortunately, I was able to solicit assistance from passersby who were willing to inflate the tires, enabling us to continue our journey. However, this assistance came at a considerable cost, as we wasted approximately 20 minutes in the process.

Jordan accurately highlighted that the prudent course of action was to return to Greeley to locate a suitable pump and replacement tubes. Although this entailed a slight detour, it was the most prudent course of action. We visited the nearest establishment, as indicated by the iPhone application, but it was closed. We proceeded to the second closest shop, but it was not even operational. Shop 3 was about to close, but it was missing some of the necessary components.

.

We traveled an additional two miles to the main shopping center area, which included a Walmart. What surprised me was the number of stores that did not have the tube we needed for the trailer. Fortunately, we were able to obtain everything we required at Walmart. While we typically do not have a strong preference for Wal-Mart, the company’s trucks were exceptionally generous today, slowing down as they passed us. This was a notable exception to the majority of the truck traffic we encountered.

This resulted in a 12-mile detour. Consequently, if we intended to make camp, it would entail a total of approximately 110 miles. We finally departed Greeley, Colorado, at 5:30 PM, with approximately 26 miles remaining. The headwind and traffic made this a challenging 26 miles. Approximately 10 miles before sunset, we were compelled to utilize our headlights due to the darkness. With the combination of darkness, road conditions, and traffic, we were fortunate to maintain a speed of only 10 miles per hour. We also took several brief breaks during this time.

I want to share photographs of our campsite, but unfortunately, it is not feasible as we arrived at the campsite in complete darkness after traveling 112 miles. We were greeted by a camper who informed us that the campground was full. He also suggested that we try a site reserved near the creek that appeared unoccupied. Despite the darkness, we were able to locate the site. We promptly set up our camp, and Jordan prepared an excellent sweet-and-sour chicken using a dehydrated meal. It was delicious, as we had not eaten since 12:00 PM, and it was now 9:30 PM. It was truly a blessing to have the jet boil!

In summary, a day that commenced with remarkable success encountered a challenging turn, making the final 40 miles, or 50 miles, arduous. Despite our utmost efforts, we successfully reached the campground at the designated stop.

Shortly after arriving at the first stop, I experienced severe leg cramps, which persisted throughout the night and caused significant discomfort. To address this issue, I recommend consuming a nutritious meal, taking vitamins, and taking E-capsules to alleviate the symptoms for tomorrow.

Both of us are experiencing considerable fatigue and intend to retire to bed as soon as possible. Fortunately, tomorrow’s ride will be only 60 miles. I will capture a photograph at the campsite in the morning.

Day 1 Summary:

• Total distance: 111.1 miles
• Average speed: 12.8 MPH (riding time only)
• Total on-bike time: 8 hours 44 minutes 23 seconds
• Total day time: Approximately 13 hours
• Temperature range: 44.6°F to nearly 95°F
• Total ascent (Garmin Connect): 1,079 feet
• Net elevation decrease: 1,233 feet (from 5,971 feet to 4,738 feet)

Our 10 miles splits from MapMyRide (time includes breaks, and mph is based only on riding time) were:

  0-10 in 0:45:10 - 14 mph
10-20 in 0:50:04 - 13.6 mph
20-30 in 1:13:35 - 13.7 mph
30-40 in 0:44:28 - 14.2 mph
40-50 in 0:56:25 - 14.1 mph
50-60 in 1:30:18 - 16.3 mph
60-70 in 1:55:58 - 13.5 mph
70-80 in 1:40:23 - 10.5 mph
80-90 in 0:53:45 - 11.7 mph
90-100 in 1:01:15 - 11.2 mph
100-110 in 1:05:18 - 11.4 mph

All you quiet dreamers, carry on!

Flight to Denver

 Last evening, my girlfriend expressed a strong desire for me to modify the header image of my blog. Although the new header image depicts my son and me after completing Grandma’s Marathon several years ago, I found the original image, which differed from ours, more appealing.

I am preparing to board Frontier Airlines for the second time in seven days, bound for Denver. It will be unusual to leave work for an uninterrupted 11-day period, a feat that has not occurred since 2001. My previous extended absence was for eight days in 2008, and since then, I have been absent for a maximum of five days.

I am uncertain as to why Shelley Peterson Bourland disliked the photograph, but I modified it to enhance her satisfaction. I do not perceive the photograph above in a negative light.

Anyone familiar with the individual on the left can attest to his solid biking skills. The image may be deceptive. While I am still assessing whether I will surpass my son on the bicycle during this trip, I intend to maintain my own capabilities. However, it is important to refrain from making judgments based solely on appearance.

The sole certainty I possess regarding the trip is the inherent uncertainty it entails. I embrace this uncertainty with enthusiasm, but I would be dishonest if I denied the presence of apprehension.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Comments from my original blog - I merged the blogs.

UnknownMay 16, 2014 at 7:50 AM

Hilarious!!! Love your sense of humor and adventure! Best of luck to you and Jordan. Enjoy the ride, freedom, and awesome memories!

Final Planning stage

There are many possibilities, and I’m overwhelmed. Do we take a four-lane highway with a prominent shoulder, a two-lane road with little or no shoulder, or gravel roads? Gravel roads would have issues and slow us down, so we’ve decided to avoid them? Getting out of Colorado is moderately complex. We can ride the Interstate to Nebraska or take side roads to Greeley, Colorado, head east to Sterling, Colorado, and take State 138 to Nebraska and the Lincoln Highway.

Once in Nebraska, we can take the Lincoln Highway to Fremont (almost to Omaha) or zig-zag through the sand hills. Zig-zagging may require phone access and help finding food and water. The Lincoln Highway segments are:

1.        Ogallala to North Platte – 53 miles
2.        North Platte to Gothenburg – 36 miles
3.        Gothenburg to Lexington – 25 miles
4.        Lexington to Elm Creek – 21 miles
5.        Elm Creek to Kearney – 17 miles
6.        Kearney to Grand Island – 40 miles
7.        Grand Island to Central City – 25 miles
8.       Central City to Columbus – 40 miles
9.        Columbus to Fremont – 50 miles
10.        Fremont to Sioux City – 70 miles

I drove back from Colorado on May 10 on the intended route options. A few issues were evident. The road was completely reconstructed, and I had to take a 40-mile detour on less-than-desirable roads. I found a great route to Sioux City, Iowa, but the route between Sioux City and Mankato is not usable for bicycles. I spent over 6 hours rerouting Sunday to make it reasonably safe and logical. I’m not driving this segment; I’m worried, but I don’t have any other options.

Regardless of the outcome, I will depart in three days and commence the journey in five days. The days have passed swiftly this spring, and I am hopeful that my enthusiasm will persist after the ride. Currently, I have scheduled thirteen rides, providing us with a three-day buffer for any unforeseen circumstances. The rides are as follows:

Doable? It will be doable. We have all day to ride and rest.

At this point, I have 13 rides planned, giving us a three-day margin for error.  The rides are:

DAY	From Golden
1	96.64
2	60.5
3	89
4	86
5	64
6	66
7	73
8	45
9	45
10	83
11	80
12	75
13	71
TOTAL	934.14
PER DAY AVE	71.9

Doable? It will be doable.  We have all day to ride and rest.

All you quiet dreamers, carry on!

Comments from my original blog - I merged the blogs.

wildknits said: Enjoy the journey - and the break from work!! Thursday, May 15, 2014 at 7:39:50 PM CDT

Getting close to the DATE!

With two short weeks remaining before our departure from Golden, Colorado, a multitude of uncertainties have begun to surface within my mind. Are we adequately prepared for this journey? 

• Are we prepared?
• What could go wrong?
• What could go right?
• Can we average 75 miles a day?
• Where are the stops?
• Can we really accomplish this?

They say I should do some 40-plus-mile preparation rides. They say that after 40 miles, you will notice issues arising on longer rides. We have both completed several rides over 40 miles.

My son’s been dealing with a nasty cold, and he’s a bit worried about how long he’ll be able to ride. We originally planned the trip to be 880 miles, but I’m planning to take the route on May 10, and I’m guessing that number might increase depending on the condition of the roads. If we’re only aiming for 880 miles, we’ll need to average at least 58 miles a day to get back in time to help Leslie Bourland move. Ideally, we’d love to spend 12 days riding at 70 miles a day. Both seem doable! If we get some good winds and average 80 miles a day, we could make it in 11 days. Eighty miles a day, with a whole day off in the middle, would be perfect.

I’ve been diving into some reading and preparing for the common physical issues that can arise without warning. I’ve heard that physical ailments tend to get worse as the days go by on the road. So, here are some things to keep an eye out for, but it’s not an exhaustive list:

• Oh no, shortness of breath and chest tightness are definitely something to worry about! I’ve had asthma flare-ups before, especially when allergens or polluted air get to me. It can become particularly severe after a few days of exposure. This spring is supposed to be the worst allergy season in ages, so I’m really hoping it doesn’t happen to me. I’ll bring my two inhalers and some Sudafed. Regardless, I plan to take nighttime allergy medicine to help me sleep and get back on track each night.
• I foresee pain, tingling, or numbness in my fingers or wrists. That’s a bummer! Let’s make sure we’re giving our hands some love and movement while we’re biking. I’ll definitely have two pairs of padded bike gloves to keep things comfy.
• Oh my goodness, chafing on the seat is definitely my most significant concern! Even a tiny bit of chafing can turn into rubbed-through skin, ingrown hairs, and saddle sores (those deep, painful cysts) over a few days. So, I grabbed an athletic lubricant to help out with the chafing spots.
• Knee pain can be challenging. It could mean my seat is at the wrong height (probably too low), or I’m pedaling too hard in high gear. I need to tweak my seat so my knees aren’t bent more than a 90-degree angle and switch to my lower gears. Pedaling easier strokes is a win for my knees and heart.
• And back pain? Well, it’s actually pretty awesome! Well-conditioned cyclists develop strong abdominal muscles to support their torsos, which is far better than relying solely on their back muscles. I’ve been doing sit-ups and crunches, which should really help.
• Oh no, sunburn! I’ve got SPF 50 sunscreen and sunglasses, which is excellent. I don’t have a helmet with a visor, but I might think about getting one soon.
• I’m feeling a bit nauseous, have a headache, and I’m super thirsty. Those are all signs that I might be dehydrated. If I didn’t have to stop for a bathroom break for the last three hours, maybe I wouldn’t have had enough water. I really need to drink a lot more. Oh, and I should remember that dehydration can also make me feel really constipated. 

Oh my goodness, there’s so much to fret about, and I totally get that worry isn’t really helpful. However, confidence can make the whole trip a breeze! I need to keep that in mind and really soak up the adventure.

It’s like, what a crazy mix of worries and not-so-worries before an epic adventure! Fingers crossed, I pack better than those folks in the picture below.

All you quiet dreamers, carry on!