Badged

Today marks the 100th consecutive day Lizard and I have walked together!

Tweet

I'll Be CBing You!

I hadn't had real vacation from work in a while, so Crested Butte for a portion of a four-day weekend was such a thrill! We've been yearning to photograph the wildflower season in the high country for a couple of years or more now. Last year, neither of our jobs were accommodating. Before that, cycling training had to take precedence.

We hit the height of the wildflower season. YAY!!!










We did a small wildflower hike and a short mountain bike ride. No landlines, no computers, and the only thing we did with our smartphones was take pictures and track our cycling mileage. Oh, and check the weather... This is thunderstorm season!






I've long been a fan of the century plants I grew up amongst in New Mexico. Although we grew up hearing legends about the rope fiber- and agave-bearing titan living 100 years before blossoming one time and then dying, the native plant often lives only 10 to 30 years.


This trip, we learned Colorado has its own long-term behemoth plant, the green gentian or monument plant, which actually outlives New Mexico's agave Americana. Also known as elkweed, it spends its first 20 to 80 years as a short leafy little plant (and the leaf circles can count its years much like snake rattles). Up to three years before the showy frasera flowers, it develops microscopic stalks that eventually grow up to eight feet tall, bloom and then die. The plant has many medicinal uses. What a life!

Tweet

The Art of Climb

Deer in dry, cold Deer Creek Canyon in March
My cycling goal for May was to climb Deer Creek Canyon twice in a day. My goal was to have 200 miles per week by May.

Non-stop rain has not made that easy. However, I did make it to the top of Deer Creek Canyon for the first time this year ahead of schedule.

I'd wanted to climb two miles higher each time I went up the canyon until I could get to the top. Surprisingly, I jumped from 17 miles to 23 miles (the top) the first Saturday in April after a three-week snow-forced cycling break back in March.

The Lizard took off at his normal pace. I climbed slow and steady. I stopped to eat frequently. And breathe. And stretch.

My goal that week should have been 19 miles. When we first started out, I thought I could make it all the way to the top. I was feeling pretty strong at the beginning. I did okay until Mile 17. Beyond that, oh, was it ever hard!

I kept wondering why the climb was so hard. I thought the steepest grade was another mile and a half away. I never dropped down into my granny gear because I thought I had another mile and a half of climb to reach that. Before I got to Mile 18, I almost turned around because I was so tired and out of breath. I allowed myself to stop as often as needed to keep going. I really had to force that 18th mile.

At first, I was stopping every quarter of a mile. But then I couldn't make it a quarter of a mile, so I said, "Okay, just make it to the next curve." I couldn't make it to the next curve. So I said, "Okay, just make it to the next sign." Then, I asked out loud if the shadow of the sign touching my wheel was far enough. It felt like I was moving only a few feet or even a few inches each time.

I rounded the next curve, and I realized I'd just finished the steepest part of the climb. THAT's why it was so hard. Knowing I'd just survived the most difficult portion of the climb energized me. I decided I could make it to Mile 19. I was able to keep going, stopping only every quarter mile.

That's where The Lizard caught me on his way down. I was so tempted to turn around. I was close to 20 miles, so I told him I was going to keep going another third of a mile. I told him I was quite done and very tired.


Deer near wet, lush Deer Creek Canyon in May
I stopped just beyond 20 miles with every intention of turning around. I leaned over my handlebars to stretch and rest, and The Lizard massaged my arthritic hips. It felt wonderful.

"Jukebox Hero" was playing on my little stereo. Just as The Lizard finished massaging me, Lou Gramm sang, "Someday he's gonna make it to the top."

I thought, "Not someday. Today."

I asked The Lizard if there were cookies at the top. Volunteers typically stock a rest area at the top of the climb with bottled water, bottled Gatorade and fresh, homemade cookies, but only during the warmer months. I didn't really want a cookie; I wanted an egg or a protein drink. But I thought a cookie might give me motivation to keep going.

The Lizard said cookies were indeed at the top. I told him I would keep going. From that point on, he kept encouraging me: "You're almost there! You're doing great! You're stronger than you were last spring! I know you can do it!"

I stopped for pictures of a run-down house I pass each time I do make it to the top of the canyon. I've always wanted to stop and shoot the skeleton shack because the way it looks is sort of what it feels like to me to climb to the top of the canyon. I've never stopped because I wouldn't have been able to keep going. This time, I stopped, and I was able to get back on my bike and finish the climb. Now I finally can show how it feels to be so depleted!


I've been pretty worried this year I might not be ready for Ride the Rockies because weather has kept us off our bikes. I'm turning into a wimp. I have had real difficulty this year getting back into three or four layers once I had my first shorts and short-sleeved ride of the year, in search of pink blossoms early in April. (The blossoms weren't ready yet, and we got snow again the next week.) We ended up riding 56 miles that day, my longest ride of the year until Santa Fe in mid-May.








We'd signed up for the century route in Santa Fe long before we knew what the spring weather would bring. As we headed south, I worried I would not be able to pull off 100 miles with so few miles in the saddle so far.

The trip back to my home state was adrenalizing like driving to Castle Rock in Colorado for Elephant Rock or driving to the Ride the Rockies start line; so many other cars on the highway going the same direction were equipped with obviously beloved road bikes. More than 2,000 riders were heading to the very same place as us for the very same reason!

It snowed in Santa Fe the day we arrived. Oh man! One of the reasons we wanted to ride in New Mexico is because the weather would be much warmer than it is in Colorado!


In spite of a very chilly start, the temperature warmed up within about 15 minutes of crossing the start line, and I had a whale of a first 40 or so miles. I felt so good, I thought I could do the whole century!

I didn't stop to take any pictures along the way because I thought if I stopped too much, I'd never finish the whole route. I carried the camera with me, but not once did I stop for a photo, even though the landscape sometimes deserved more attention than I was giving it.

Although I am from New Mexico, I was not familiar with the century route. I knew from the elevation profile where the big climbs would be, particularly Heartbreak Hill, a 16% grade. Until Heartbreak Hill, I thought the Santa Fe Century was easier than Elephant Rock in Colorado, another season-opener for which I signed up for the full 100 miles this year. Heartbreak Hill sort of put Elephant Rock climbs to shame. Elephant Rock is more difficult overall, but I don't think any of the Elephant Rock climbs are as steep as Heartbreak Hill. Thank heavens!

When Heartbreak Hill first came into view, I thought I could do the whole thing without stopping because it was only about half a mile up. I made it a third of the way up before I had to stop. Many cyclists were walking their bikes up. I intended to pedal all the way to the top. After I rested for a minute. But the grade was so steep, I couldn't get the bike going again!

I hung my head and began walking my bike, which was just as difficult as riding, in my opinion. I watched some of the riders who were making it all the way to the top, thanks to zigzagging back and forth across the mostly carless road. At about two-thirds of the way up the hill, I thought I could get the bike going if I copied what those slaloming riders were doing.

I got on my bike, and I pedaled toward the opposite side of the road instead of trying to go straight up, and then I wove back to the other side, back and forth, back and forth, and by golly, I made it to the top!!! I learned something new in the process!

The next 15 miles were a breeze, literally. The tailwind carried me speedily across the flat, high plains. And then with another left turn, bang, I was in a crosswind. I tried to position my body like a sail, a technique I've read about in RBR magazine. One more left turn and oh, my gosh. I had difficulty keeping my speed at 6 miles per hour in the headwind I'd have to fight all the way back to Santa Fe.

From that point on, I kept chanting my motivational wind mantra out loud to myself.

"Wind makes us strong! Wind makes us strong! Wind makes it hard! Um... Oops. Wind makes us strong! Wind makes us strong!"

Each rest stop, I told myself I could make it to the next rest stop. Each rest stop, it was more difficult to convince myself I could make it to the next rest stop. At mile 80, I realized I didn't have another two or three hours left in me. I was devastated at first; I'd really wanted to be able to tell all my co-workers I'd done my third century ever. But when the reality of arthritis took its toll, I realized 80 miles in a day after a longest ride of only 56 miles more than a month earlier was pretty darned good and nothing to be ashamed of, particularly after successfully climbing the top portion of Heartbreak Hill on my bike instead of walking.

My bike and I took a SAG (support and gear) wagon into Santa Fe with a woman from Philadelphia who was riding with her entire family until she couldn't go any further and, at the next rest stop, another woman who had just ridden 94 miles for the first time in her entire life after never having done more than 30 miles in a day. (She said she got the century out of her system, and her saddle was so sore, she'd never try that again. The Lizard and I both wonder if she'll be like me and ready to try again next year for the next Santa Fe Century.)


I marked how far I really got on the first Cyclemeter printout


the updated Cyclemeter route


My phone lost signal before I reached where I stopped, so it appeared Cyclemeter didn't record my entire ride. My odometer on my bike, the old-fashioned way of keeping track of miles, did! Then suddenly, a week after the ride, Cyclemeter unexpectedly sent me the full ride route the next time I turned it on to record a ride. Bizarre!

The day after the Santa Fe Century, The Lizard took me back along the first portion of the route before we headed home so I could snap photos of the scenery I didn't take the time to shoot during the actual ride.












I get one more chance to try for a century before two very long, big climb Ride the Rockies days. I don't know if I'll make it a full hundred miles for Elephant Rock (or during either of this year's Ride the Rockies centuries), but I'm going to give it my very best shot.


Proof of my second century ever, 12 June 2013, during Ride the Rockies

Tweet

Snowflake Monday

This snowflake is an adaptation of my Century Snowflake, created because the Century Snowflake was too big to fit on my still unfinished and still unnamed quilt. Because the Century Snowflake is one of my most popular patterns, I thought I probably ought to share the modifications.

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!


Finished Size: 5.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 8 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Century II Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (does not count as dc), 12 dc in ring; sl st tightly across starting ch 2 into 1st dc. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and ch 2); *1 dc in next dc, ch 2; repeat from * around 10 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 4.

Round 3: Sl st in next ch 2 sp, 3 sc in same sp, *ch 6, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, ch 4, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in next ch, 1 dc in top half of next dc, 1 dc in bottom half of same dc, sl st in next ch (heart made), 3 sc in next ch 2 sp, 3 sc in next ch 2 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, ending with 1st 3/sc in next ch 2 sp on final repeat; sl st in starting sc.

Round 4: Ch 20 (counts as 1 dc and ch 17), *1 dc over sc of Round 3 into next Round 2 dc (ch looping over heart), ch 17; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st into 3rd ch of starting ch 20.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 5: *3 sc in next ch 17 sp, 3 hdc in same sp, 3 dc in same sp, ch 6, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, ch 4, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in next ch, 1 dc in top half of next dc, 1 dc in bottom half of same dc, sl st in next ch (heart made), 3 dc in same sp, 3 hdc in same sp, 3 sc in next sp, ch 12, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, ch 4, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in next ch, 1 dc in top half of next dc, 1 dc in bottom half of same dc, sl st in next ch (heart made), ch 6, sl st into last sc made; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

If using glue, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

Tweet

He did it!

The Lizard successfully completed the 2011 Deer Creek Challenge, "the toughest century ride in America!"

Tweet

Snowflake Monday

A couple of weeks ago, The Lizard asked when I am going to start making white snowflakes again.

"You don't like them in color?"

"Yes, but snowflakes are white," he answered.

"What about when they sparkle in the sunlight?"

He tipped his head thoughtfully and agreed some snowflakes should be colorful. Yet, I get the message. White will be making a comeback here.

I liked the little hearts on last week's snowflake so much, I stole them and used them again in this snowflake. This pattern is designed with all the same emotions and purpose of last week's snowflake. Freedom, independence, courage, generosity, gratitude, achievement, success and pure joy. I hope you will feel some of what I was feeling when I designed this late Friday night, on the eve before my big ride.

Because this is my 100th snowflake pattern, I'm going to call it my Century Snowflake. It also celebrates me successfully completely 150 miles Saturday and Sunday in the annual BikeMS event (and The Lizard completing the century option Sunday) and hopefully, if my legs hold out, 1,000 miles this month. It commemorates my generous contributors pushing me up and over the High Roller mark and making The Lizard a Premium Pedaler in raising money for multiple sclerosis. And, I couldn't resist making an additional flake in a star shape (pattern included; this one does have adjustments) from Valdani's "Americana" colorway. Because, after all, next week is yet another holiday, and I'll still be celebrating!

My stars are not perfectly shaped. I haven't had time to search for a star blocking template or design one of my own. So please forgive my uneven points... I'm no eyeball engineer, sadly.

Also, I've FINALLY finished coding a snowflake pattern directory. (Whew, did that ever take an hour or eight...) I'll try to keep it updated in a timely manner, but there may be times when it gets a week or two behind. Hopefully there are enough snowflakes to keep your interest even when I'm slow alphabetizing the list. (The copyright notice is prominently displayed in an attempt to prevent blatant plagiarism readers have been kindly bringing to my attention; my readers may continue to print out individual patterns to make snowflakes.)

EXCITING UPDATE! Lucia of La Casetta de Lucia has created a video tutorial for this pattern, which is my most popular pattern. Thank you, so much, Lucia!

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!

Finished Size: 8.5 inches from point to point

Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 8 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, glue, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Century Snowflake and Starflake Instructions, American Terminology

Five-Point Century Starflake

Ch 3, sl st into 1st ch OR make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 9 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and ch 2); *1 dc in next dc, ch 2; repeat from * around 8 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 4.

Round 3: Sl st in next ch 2 sp, ch 1, 3 sc in same sp, *ch 6, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, ch 4, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in next ch, 1 dc in top half of next dc, 1 sc in same ch as dc just worked into, ch 1, 3 sc in next ch 2 sp, 3 sc in next ch 2 sp; repeat from * around 4 times, ending with 1st 3/sc in next ch 2 sp on final repeat; sl st in starting sc.

If you are having trouble with the heart tips, here is a photo tutorial I hope will help.

Round 4: Ch 20 (counts as 1 dc and ch 17), *1 dc over sc of Round 3 into next Round 2 dc (ch looping over heart), ch 17; repeat from * around 3 times; 1 dc over sc of Round 3 into next Round 2 dc, ch 14, 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 20.

Round 5: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc) * 16 dc in next ch 17 sp; repeat from * around 3 times; 15 dc in next ch 17 sp; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 6: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), * sk 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 2, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 2, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in next dc, [ch 2, 1 dc in next dc] 4 times, ch 2, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 2, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in next dc, sk 2 dc, 1 dc in opening between this and next 16/dc group; repeat from * around 4 times, ending with sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 instead of last 1dc of final repeat.

Round 7: *Ch 5, sk 1 dc, 1 sc in next dc, ch 5, 1 sc in next dc, ch 5, 1 sc in next dc, ch 3, 1 dc in next ch 2 sp, ch 7, 1 dc in same sp, ch 3, 1 sc in next dc, ch 5, 1 sc in next dc, ch 5, 1 sc in next dc, ch 5, sk 1 dc, 1 sc in next dc; repeat from * around 4 times, 1 sc in same st as final sl st of Round 6.

Round 8: * 5 sc in each of next 3 ch 5 sp, 5 sc in next ch 3 sp, 2 sc in next ch 7 sp, 2 hdc in same sp, 2 dc in same sp, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 6, 1 sc in 6th ch from hook, ch 6, sl st in sc, ch 5, sl st in sc, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 2 dc in same ch 7 sp, 2 hdc in same sp, 2 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Six-Point Century Snowflake

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and ch 2); *1 dc in next dc, ch 2; repeat from * around 10 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 4.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 3: Sl st in next ch 2 sp, ch 1, 3 sc in same sp, *ch 6, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, ch 4, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in next ch, 1 dc in top half of next dc, 1 sc in same ch as dc just worked into, ch 1, 3 sc in next ch 2 sp, 3 sc in next ch 2 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, ending with 1st 3/sc in next ch 2 sp on final repeat; sl st in starting sc.

If you are having trouble with the hearts, here is a photo tutorial I hope will help.

Round 4: Ch 20 (counts as 1 dc and ch 17), *1 dc over sc of Round 3 into next Round 2 dc (ch looping over heart), ch 17; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 dc over sc of Round 3 into next Round 2 dc, ch 14, 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 20.

Round 5: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc) *16 dc in next ch 17 sp; repeat from * around 4 times; 15 dc in next ch 17 sp; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 6: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), *sk 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 2, sk 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 2, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 2, 1 dc in next dc, ch 2, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 2, sk 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc, sk 2 dc, 1 dc in opening between this and next 16/dc group; repeat from * around 5 times, ending with sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 instead of last dc of final repeat.

Round 7: *Ch 5, sk 1 dc, 1 sc in next dc, ch 5, 1 sc in next dc, ch 3, 1 dc in next ch 2 sp, ch 7, 1 dc in same sp, ch 3, 1 sc in next dc, ch 5, 1 sc in next dc, ch 5, sk 1 dc, 1 sc in next dc; repeat from * around 5 times, 1 sc in same st as final sl st of Round 6.

Round 8: * 5 sc in each of next 2 ch 5 sp, 5 sc in next ch 3 sp, 2 sc in next ch 7 sp, 2 hdc in same sp, 2 dc in same sp, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 6, 1 sc in 6th ch from hook, ch 6, sl st in sc, ch 5, sl st in sc, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 2 dc in same ch 7 sp, 2 hdc in same sp, 2 sc in same sp, 5 sc in next ch 3 sp, 5 sc in each of next 2 ch 5 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

The same pattern in British terminology below has been graciously provided by sugarcrystal2002 on Ravelry.

Six-Point Century Snowflake, British Terminology

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 tr), 11 tr in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Ch 4 (counts as 1 tr and ch 2); * 1 tr in next tr, ch 2; repeat from * around 10 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 4.

Round 3: Sl st in next ch 2 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in same sp, * ch 6, 1 tr in 3rd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, ch 4, 1 tr in 3rd ch from hook and in next ch, 1 tr in top half of next tr, 1 dc in same ch as tr just worked into, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 2 sp, 3 dc in next ch 2 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, ending with 1st 3/dc in next ch 2 sp on final repeat; sl st in starting dc.

Round 4: Ch 20 (counts as 1 tr and ch 17), * 1 tr over dc of Round 3 into next Round 2 tr (ch looping over heart), ch 17; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 tr over dc of Round 3 into next Round 2 tr, ch 14, 1 tr in 3rd ch of starting ch 20.

Round 5: Ch 2 (counts as 1 tr) * 16 tr in next ch 17 sp; repeat from * around 4 times; 15 tr in next ch 17 sp; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 6: Ch 2 (counts as 1 tr), * sk 2 tr, 1 tr in next tr, ch 2, sk 2 tr, 1 tr in next tr, ch 2, sk 1 tr, 1 tr in next tr, ch 2, 1 tr in next tr, ch 2, sk 1 tr, 1 tr in next tr, ch 2, sk 2 tr, 1 tr in next tr, sk 2 tr, 1 tr in opening between this and next 16/tr group; repeat from * around 5 times, ending with sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 instead of last tr of final repeat.

Round 7: * Ch 5, sk 1 tr, 1 dc in next tr, ch 5, 1 dc in next tr, ch 3, 1 tr in next ch 2 sp, ch 7, 1 tr in same sp, ch 3, 1 dc in next tr, ch 5, 1 dc in next tr, ch 5, sk 1 tr, 1 dc in next tr; repeat from * around 5 times, 1 dc in same st as final sl st of Round 6.

Round 8: * 5 dc in each of next 2 ch 5 sp, 5 dc in next ch 3 sp, 2 dc in next ch 7 sp, 2 htr in same sp, 2 tr in same sp, ch 3, 2 tr in 3rd ch from hook, ch 6, 1 dc in 6th ch from hook, ch 6, sl st in dc, ch 5, sl st in dc, ch 3, 2 tr in 3rd ch from hook, 2 tr in same ch 7 sp, 2 htr in same sp, 2 dc in same sp, 5 dc in next ch 3 sp, 5 dc in each of next 2 ch 5 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, sl st in starting dc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

A link to the blocking template I use is located here. That website has some of the most helpful snowflake information I know of. I also have a link to it on my sidebar to the right. I try to keep all the important links there so everyone will be able to find the information they need.

Mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

Tweet

One Potato, Two Potato

Day Six
Pagosa Springs to Alamosa
97 miles
18 June 2010

I have 97 miles, and I don't have the energy to go out and grab three more miles for my second century ever. How sad.

I seem to do okay until I hit about 80 miles, and everything beyond that, I struggle.

Today's ride took 10 hours, nine hours in the saddle. If I use today's rest stop time to average Wednesday's ride, I spent approximately 11 hours in the saddle on my hardest day ever. And my sit bone still feels it.

I was back on my bike today. There's no comparison between my jimmy-rigged shifters and the Trek I rode the last two days. But it was so good to be back on my bike.

The Trek fit well, and it truly is a nice bike. But today helped me remember something important. I spent six weeks picking my bike. I tested just about every bike in my price range in Colorado before I finally picked this bike. The first time I rode it, I knew it was my bike. It's still the best fit of any bike I've ever been on. Even if it limps, I still love my bike.

It took me so long to get in today, I cancelled my demo for tomorrow. I had planned to ride a newer model of my bike, but Ride the Rockies officially ends at 4, and I'm not sure I can make it to Salida by then. They'd have to put my saddle and pedals back on my bike, and there's no way they'd get out of Salida at a reasonable hour if they wait on me. If we have another headwind, I'm toast. So I get to ride my bike again tomorrow, and I'm not too unhappy about that. I feel like I've reclaimed one of my best friends, and the feeling seems mutual. It is a bit kinder to my behind, even though the saddle travels to other bikes with me.

I heard the starting temperature this morning was 28 degrees. I don't know if that's accurate, but my fingers would sure agree. I spent the first couple of hours wishing I'd worn my tights and wool socks. Then the sun finally hit us, and everyone was shedding layers within about five minutes.

I learned I can climb much better and more efficiently when I'm cold!

One particular lookout on the west side of Wolf Creek Pass supposedly is featured in National Lampoon's "Vacation." It also is featured in the first Ride Across America movie. (You GOTTA see "Bicycle Dreams" when it hits the big screen!!!) So I planned to get a classic Ride the Rockies shot from this famous lookout.

Turned out the emergency vehicles that passed me before the sun came up were en route to an 18-wheeler rollover right at the lookout. Fortunately, the Dr. Pepper driver wasn't hurt, and most of his load seemed to have survived without spilling all over the roadway. So I snapped what I hope are somewhat humorous photos of bikes passing by the underbelly of a big truck. Not your everyday RtR view!

The next time emergency vehicles passed me, the outcome wasn't as fortuitous. A cyclist supposedly hit an obstacle, and two riders behind him also went down. That's all I know right now. We've heard there was another accident yesterday, and one of two cyclists involved is still in critical condition.

Every morning, I pray the cyclists will be safe and that cyclists and motorists will be alert and courteous toward one another. Every day, I pray we will all get home safely. So this news created sadness in my heart that just won't go away.

The top of Wolf Creek Pass was super windy. Swirly winds, and the descent reflected the unpredictability. The famed tailwind kicked in by South Fork and lasted a good 30 miles before turning on us and hammering us head-on all the way into Alamosa, completely uncharacteristic of the normal prevailing winds of the San Luis Valley, home of the Great Sand Dunes created by those same tailwinds we all wished would have lingered.

Maybe I could have done better without the wind. All I know right now is that I die and don't want to go any further after about 80 miles.

I was reaching deep inside for whatever I could muster when I hit Monte Vista, where the Colorado Potato Growers Association was giving out fully loaded baked potatoes. FREE. Yes, FREE!!!

Oh, yum!

Normally, I can't eat white potatoes because of the high starch content, but I'd just finished 75 miles with a stiff climb, and I had about 17 miles of debilitating headwind to go. I gobbled down my potato so fast, the eating may have qualified as certified magic. That potato fueled me for the next nine miles. Then my tank was empty again. There was just no way I could ride another three miles when I finally finished. It had taken everything I had and more just to get to the Rec Center where we would be camping for the night.

So for right now, for this very minute, 97 has all the allure of that elusive 100. Just try and tell me this wasn't an accomplishment. I did 97 miles, and I'm riding again tomorrow. On my bike. I'm literally a happy camper.

Tweet