FCBA Day 49- Mountain Home to Boise Idaho

 

We had a bonus day in that it was just 45 miles from Mountain Home to Boise, most of which was on Interstate 84. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts bicycles are allowed on the Interstate highways in these parts for lack of paved roads to get around. Ride map and stats As a friend today pointed out “though Idaho is known for potatoes you’d have to travel to find one, but what you’ll find along the way is wilderness”.

This friend, who will remain anonymous for being a prominent Boise citizen, was a classmate of mine in high school 38 years ago. Though we were friends for but a short while back then, those were impressionable years so remain in fond memory. Despite the years between there is a natural comfort found in reunion and I look forward to being shown about this part of Idaho again in the morning.

Boise is a beautiful valley city built around its namesake river. The surrounding terrain all around is inhospitable desert mountains, beautiful in their stark contrasting brown hues, especially as their contours are accented by the setting sun. I look forward to more exploring after church tomorrow.

We are guests of the First Presbyterian Church of Boise tonight and tomorrow, our rest day. We plan on going to the Snake River birds of prey sanctuary that is known as a fourth chakra vortex, a place of healing. I really don’t understand what that is, but expect to receive positive energy from the experience of being with a gentle friend in a harsh landscape.

                                 Way down upon the Boise River

                          Rope swing over the river

 

                              When in Boise and hankerin' for tongue, tell Epi that Mark sent you.

FCBA Day 48- Gooding to Mountain Home Idaho

 

Not long ago the idea of riding an average of 75 miles a day seemed more than challenging. Now it is routine, and if the ride is shorter than that it is a bonus. Today was a bonus day at just around 65 miles. We are at the Mountain Home First Congregational United Church of Christ and have already returned from showers at the local high school, and it’s just 2pm. Ride map and stats

By now the riders are as accustomed to this as they will ever be. Some have struggled along but now show far more stamina and speed, so now we seem to have some up and coming challengers for the front position. I think is wasn’t so much physical ability as it was gaining confidence and honing technique for some of the younger riders I’ve been leaving behind up until now. They’ve had the ability all along but needed this to shed the doubt in themselves.

That is life, though, isn’t it? Whether we choose a challenge or it is thrust upon us and we prevail we can be quite surprised. Think about an incident or trial in your life that made you stronger, and then examine the difference of who you were before, and after. You’ll probably find in most instances that the only difference is the experience between the timid one before and the champion after. You are the same person, and have been all along, possessing all that is necessary to accomplish all you imagine and more.

You have a dream and you have this moment. Start now and move closer to realizing your life’s goal. Act with urgency, even if you don’t know how you will accomplish it, for God knows your heart’s desire and will make it so. That is how I got here to Mountain Home, Idaho. It was just a whim too long ago that brought this reality today.  

                         There's no place like Mountain Home.

FCBA Day 47- Twin Falls to Gooding Idaho

 

Today’s ride was a short 38 miles from Twin Falls Methodist Church to the Gooding Methodist Church. We slept in, rising around 6am for a breakfast of burritos, fruit, cereal, muffins and leftover dump cake from last night’s dinner. All riders arrived to the destination by 11am. Tonight we had dinner provided by the folk of this congregation, and breakfast will be theirs as well. Ride map and stats

The Fuller Center for Housing is an ecumenical Christian organization so isn’t particular regarding who provides assistance, instead encouraging all faiths to work together toward the general good. Planning such an adventure as this takes the work of Melissa Merrill working all year planning the route and then soliciting congregations in prospective overnight areas for assistance. The Methodist church seem to be the most generous in providing for us, but in saying so I don’t mean to diminish the help the Baptists, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Catholics, United Church of Christ or Mormons (I just  know I left someone out- sorry). All is appreciated, but when I get home I’ll be looking for a church and before this trip never gave much thought to the Methodists. My regard toward religion is changing too- these congregations are vital in their communities, providing more than any governmental relief agency could, and far more efficiently.

After the ride today we arrived at this church, and many of us were able to attend to cleaning and maintenance of our bicycles. Afterward we were taken over to the local pool for showers and some swimming. It was a nice change of activity and did our muscles a lot of good. Tomorrow will be another below-average mileage day (65 miles), and though this is a six day ride week it isn’t our hardest, and everyone is in great physical condition. Hopefully I’ll have more time to catch up on writing and putting together videos.

                I wish I could sleep like Nate.

                                             I love this!

   MRDUCK found a friend. He's been traveling with me since OKC. I pulled him out of the wreckage.

FCBA Day 46- Malta to Twin Falls

Breakfast was pancakes provided by Pete and his crew; I ate nine which fueled a strong ride for the day over flat lands where I averaged 19.1mph over the 75 miles; I was on fire! Being a Floridian rider flat land suits me, as would be expected for any cyclist, but I feel I perform optimally on such roads for I can achieve and maintain high speed, whereas in the mountains the hill break my form. Now I’m a killer down-hiller for some reason I can’t quite figure out, for I can keep up or pass the best on the downside of a mountain. What gives me speed downhill is my bane uphill, though, for that is where they catch and pass me if I don’t keep up great exertion. I need to work on my uphill form, and perhaps jettison that 20lbs of rear pack in which I’m hauling around all kinds of junk I really don’t need for anything more than an excuse for why I have trouble going uphill.  Ride map and stats

After arriving at the First United Methodist Church of Twin Falls, we took an excursion to Shoshone Falls, known as the “Niagara Falls of the West”. It’s not as wide as the Niagara, but is a bit taller. It is formed by the Snake River and just before the falls the river is damned up for hydroelectric use. It was well worth the visit, so check it out if you’re ever in this area.

Afterward we were treated to a dinner of tacos and burritos, homemade salsa, and “dump cake”. Dump cake is just a simple recipe new to me where you just dump a can of pineapple and a can of cherries into a square baking pan, dump cake mix on top and bake it. Ok, maybe we call that cobbler where I come from, but then I just learned how to properly boil eggs the day before so my culinary skills may not be what they should. It was all good though. These folks fed us well, and afterward we went up into the church for a presentation.

Though we burn over 2500 calories a day just riding, many are remarking that they aren’t losing any weight. Some may be gaining, but we call that muscle for now. My eating has gained momentum, and I’m going to have to put on the brakes as soon as this ride ends or I’ll bloat up quickly. With that I think I’ll go to the kitchen and scrounge up another plate of dump cake.

 

                                                          Impressive, but much water is diverted this time of year. Show up in the springtime for the full show

                      Shoshone Falls.

                      Shoshone Falls, improved

                          In his "Nate-ural" habitat.

FCBA Day 45- Garland to Malta

 

After waking from a great night’s sleep in a real bed, Jim Christensen made us breakfast and took us to the Garland LDS Temple to meet up with the other riders who were guests at homes of other church members. The day’s ride took us out into the desert with hills and headwinds and what seemed like a never ending bullet-straight road into the mountain range on the horizon. It was a long day’s ride to Malta- Population 171. Ride map and statistics

We were guests of the local River Rapids School and were able to get some internet access and a burger down the road at the only diner in town. That evening we were treated to a lasagna dinner provided by the locals, and offers to fill any of our needs. There aren’t any local stores, so our hosts said they could call around town and probably come up with whatever we wanted. Now that’s hospitality!

“Nearby” Malta is the City of Rocks. It is a National Park of unique geologic formations rising from the sagebrush about 30 miles SW of Malta. Tom Weber lent us his car and 6 of us made the journey. It was well worth the miles of unpaved roads shared with cows that were free-ranging despite the fenced fields. We arrived about an hour before sunset, and made our way into the sagebrush meadows to get better looks at the landscape.

The formations are unusual, erected volcanically millions of years ago and carved by weather. It would take at least a week to properly explore the area, but we made the best of our time to just take as much as we could into our cameras. I’ve never seen anything like this, so it was inspiring to me and the others, especially Nate, who perhaps imagined himself a Sir Edmond Hillary, determined to conquer the highest formation before sundown. We talked him out of it without violence.

With nightfall rapidly encroaching and temperatures dropping we head back to Malta, finding a shorter, paved, cow-free road. Upon arriving from this direction we arrived at the town limits and noticed the sign; Malta- Population 193. We tend to have an impact everywhere we go, and it was nice to be included in this community.

                 The Adventurers and Nate's Peak.

                 Nate surveying his inspiration.

                  I climbed this guy.

                   The head was balanced atop the pile, and try as I might, I couldn't budge it.

 

FCBA Day 44- Salt Lake City to Garland Utah

 

We left Salt Lake City after a good rest and made our way to Garland. I was sweep today, along with Kristi. Much of the ride was on actual bicycle trails and then back on the highway. “Rails to Trails” utilize old railways and is ideal for cycling, for no railway ever has more than a 4% grade. It gets us safely out of the way of traffic and provides parkland for residence along them. Ride map and statistics

Garland was a prosperous sugar mill town from the early 1900’s until 1977 when the sugar beet industry failed them. Still they hang on, and as I walked about I came across a blacksmith shop that was building stainless steel semi-trailer fluid cargo tanks, so there is still industry there amidst the empty storefronts.

We were the guests of the Garland Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, whose members took us into their homes for night. Steve and I were guests of Jim and Lorraine Christensen and family. After a great home dinner and sharing we retired to the room their son Jake surrendered for the night where we enjoyed sleeping in actual beds. In the morning Jim got up and cooked us breakfast and took us back to the church. Such demonstrations of generosity are foreign to me but I look forward to doing the same for someone in the future. These folks had no idea who they were bringing into their homes yet welcomed us as friends, and that is how we left

 

                         

                  

                           This is the Main theater, a beautiful building having seen better days.

                        Our hosts, the Christensen family.

                       The Garland Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

 

FCBA Day 42 and 42.5- Heber City to Salt Lake City Utah

Such activity as this gives me the luxury of forgetting what day it is and having little regard for time. These are the first symptoms of detachment from the mainstream of society. What is important to me today is what time we are getting up, how quickly I can pack everything, coffee, eating breakfast enough to keep me going for 20 miles, filling my water bottles, dressing for the conditions, briefing on the day’s ride with devotional and prayer, hitting the road to find out what my body wants to do that day, topping the next hill, surviving unsafe speed going down the other side, traffic, enjoying the ride, finishing the ride, unloading the van, finding a carpeted spot near a receptacle where to put my sleeping mat, SHOWER, food, writing this, editing video and photos, telephone calls, hopefully having time to review what my friends are doing back home, talking with local folk, and never enough sleep before starting all over again. My society is this group of people, the people we interact with along the way, some from where I come from…

Saturday’s ride from Heber City started with waking at the late hour of 5:30 am in a small room with a bunch of people. I packed as they did, loaded as they did, dressed as they did, ate what they ate, prayed with them, thanked our host who paid for it all, and the ride started uphill westward on Highway 40. We left 40 and took parallel roads well suited for cyclists and there were many other local riders. We made our way to I-80, for the Interstate is the only way through the mountains and legal for cyclists to use. On that road I reached 52 mph for it was a long downhill run. We left that route and took another originally taken by the Donner Party to Camp Grant and Emigration Canyon. These were hilly, eventually turning upward through switchbacks that made it possible to cross the mountains. From the top it was a 13 mile downhill run that accommodates cycle traffic and again, many other cyclists as we approached Salt Lake City. It was less than a 50 mile ride but a challenging and thrilling one. Into Salt Lake City!

After arriving I went for a walk through town and met another reality. This is the one I’ve been ignoring for the time being of this excursion, but couldn’t avoid for the cacophony. They were protesting the verdict of some event from my home state, and though I have an opinion it doesn’t matter so I’ll refrain here.

Otherwise Salt Lake City is quite impressive. Though the history isn’t long, it is deep. This morning I went to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and then attended church here at the First Presbyterian and received a message I really needed to hear. Afterward was visiting with the congregation, getting advice regarding cycling and to not swim in the Salt Lake. I’m not one to take advice, for am the last man from the Will Rogers quote, “There are three kinds of men. The one that learns from reading. The few who learn from observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.”

Now it’s time to go to listen to the organ rehearsal, and figure out how to get down to the swimmin’ hole.

 

 

FCBA Day 40- Myton to Duchesne UT

Starvation Lake is 5700 ft. above sea level just above Duchesne (doo-SHANE) Utah, and this time of year stays around 70 degrees. The blue water expands in the man-made reservoir where families enjoy camping, boating, and all around recreat… AAAAHHHHH$4i+!!!! I’m about to try to get to sleep on this freshly sanded unfinished gymnasium floor, lights out was to be at 9 and it’s 9:30, these kids are playing basketball in bed and my best hope is that someday (if not already) I will get on the nerves of some of these %*#* as much as they get on mine! There, I lanced the furuncle. The pain subsides. The fact is regarding any such activity as this is that we form close bonds.  It creates a feeling of family, but the other edge of that sword is “familiarity breeds contempt”. Anyway, someone needs a spanking- perhaps it is me. The days are long and demanding and I get cranky but do my best to be my best. I’m contemplating being Mr. Cheerful first thing in the morning, for we are an ugly lot at 4am. That ought to get on the nerves of even the most magnanimous Adventurer.

It was a lovely ride from Myton to Duchesne, a mere 20 miles. We slept in, hitting the road at 8am and the slowest riders arriving before 9:30. That’s what gave us time to go on down the road another 4 miles to the park. We swam and played Frisbee, and with a storm threatening made our way back. The only internet service available to us is at Cowen Café, a place that has been in business since 1933. I was able to upload a video while I worked on today’s, but that will have to wait for another time.

Dinner was provided by a former FCBA rider in a local Chinese/American/Mexican restaurant. We played with chopsticks and told stories, shared fortune cookies and then made our way back to the school. Behind here, way up on the hill is a cistern providing the city water that comes from the nearby Strawberry River. The water is good here. It is amazing the differences over just 20 miles, and water is essential to us. We pack 20 gallons on our sag trailer every day, and on the long days all of it is gone at trip’s end. We figured it out one day: ideally a rider should drink 14 oversized sport bottles in a 100 mile run. Tomorrow we ride @70 miles to Heber City, which will include a 2700 ft. climb and then drop. This should be good.

                   Alex doing his "Super Soaker running out of water" impression. Nice cloud!

                                A storm threatening.

                        When in Duchesne, visit Cowen's, est. 1933

                     I like watching reverse sunsets on the eastern horizon.

                     From atop the Duchesne water cistern.

                    Landon in front of the cistern.

FCBA Day 39- Dinosaur CO to Myton UT

Fish for breakfast! Fish for lunch! That was a lot of fish Tom brought back. Dinner tonight was provided by Myton Community Presbyterian Church.

Today we had our usual 6am start and all met up three miles down the road at the Utah state line for pictures.  A group photo and individual shots were taken and we were on our way. I really didn’t “feel it” today so kept a relatively slow pace, near the rear. The route is the only road through here; Hwy 40. This is a rather remote part of the country, sparsely settled and what towns there are just struggle. They grow and shrink with prosperity.

Two of today’s 8 flats were mine, and within 3 miles of each other. It was just one of those days. Tomorrow promises to be easy, for we have only 20 miles to go with a 600’ elevation gain over those miles. That should take just over an hour, and the time off will give me the opportunity to patch the tubes I’ve accumulated.

FCBA Day 37- Craig CO Workday

 

This is our fifth workday. Though Craig Colorado is quite a reach from Americus Georgia, their Fuller Center for Housing Covenant Partner program is strong. They have a rental property and an ongoing build project in the works, but being a small community the resources aren’t as many. Still, the hard work of Neil Folks and Vicki Burns and their team is producing results. Vicki has been a 28 year resident of Craig, hailing from Florida originally, and a dynamic community leader who also owns Brass Key Realty, she’s the Financial Secretary of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, and is heavily involved with the local Interfaith Food Bank. I hope that when we’re not here she can get some relaxation, for from the moment I first saw her two days ago she hasn’t stopped. We can’t thank Vicki enough for her work encouraging local businesses and churches toward our support. Craig Colorado will not blend into the blur of towns we’ve passed through; this has been a very memorable visit and experience.

We had eleven projects today so we split into teams to accomplish them. Ours was to scrape and paint in the morning and then yard work in the afternoon. This is an aging community so the needs of the elderly are what need attending. That is what is unique about the Fuller foundation; the Covenant Partners are autonomous so can attend to the needs they see in their community without being tightly reined.  As with any organization there must be sound business practices followed, but this type of work must follow principles that may seem counter to corporate mindset of central control. Charity needs are best recognized and cared for by the immediate community as immediately as possible. Volunteers such as I’ve seen with the Fuller Center have amazed and inspired me. I hope to serve as well one day.

FCBA Day 38- Craig to Dinosaur CO

[Posted from Myton Utah July 17 due to no internet service in Dinosaur CO]

Last night I was attending to my bicycle maintenance; cleaning and adjusting as needed, requiring me to spend some time truing my rear wheel. Going downhill from Rabbit Ears Pass into Steamboat, on that incredible 7 mile downhill run, I noticed some thumping from my rear wheel and some slight brake rubbing. In Steamboat Springs I stopped at a bike shop to buy new cleats for my shoes and simply released my rear brake cam to accommodate my slightly bent rim and continued the day. Alex noticed my rear wheel out of true and I took note, but still didn’t inspect it for I was planning my maintenance for Monday evening. Though riding only takes up 6 or so hours a day, there are two hours before we start packing gear and getting breakfast, and then attending to site cleanup. In the evenings I write this blog, edit video and pictures, attend to whatever chore assignment our team has, and get to bed too late. An eight hour sleep is rare.

It was 8:30 pm Monday when I discovered my wheel was damaged beyond repair. A spoke nipple had pulled through the rim. In Craig the only shop is J&R’s Cyclery, closed Sunday and Monday but we had an agreement to have them on call for any needs. We arranged the shop to be opened for a replacement wheel, but my hopes weren’t high for this shop is rather small and deals mostly in off-road bikes. Furthermore I was expecting that if there was a suitable replacement it would cost $150 or more. I got very lucky; in the overhead of the shop amidst a wide variety was hanging just what I needed. It was a “take-off” from a new bike previously sold, and they offered it for $85. It had a tire and tube on it I needed so all totaled I got out of there for $95. It rides great! I couldn’t have done better anywhere else, and this part of the country towns are far-between, small, and rarely have bicycle shops.

The ride from Craig to Dinosaur was brisk, being our first day back on the rode after rest, and with Susan, a strong rider who just joined us recently. The route included long rolling hills through high prairie and eventually what I’d call desert. Dinosaur is a very small village consisting of a gas station and an ice cream shop, and we didn’t have internet access at Dinosaur School.

Tom Weber, our senior rider (age 71) left the ride just over a week ago to go on a fishing expedition in Alaska with his son. He brought back a bunch of Halibut for us, which we broiled for dinner with plenty of leftovers. It was a great change and we need high quality protein like that. Fish for breakfast!

                        Spoke nipple pulled through rim. Not good.

                      These cleats were new when I started the trip.

                     New cleats! I bought the covers that go over these to prevent undo wear.

                       One of the Dinosaur School Alumni trying out my bike.

FCBA Day 36- Craig Colorado Life Savor

 

Today we rest. Each day is so full that at its end what happened just that morning seems as if it was days ago. One town blends with the next; the names and places become one of the whole, events can be recalled but the time they happened…was that today or two days ago?

What we have of this day is part of the overall experience. There are many miles behind and before us but our strength comes from this moment; it is beautiful- I’m relaxing as the carillon peals hymns on this cool and sunny Colorado Sunday. This morning we shared our stories in churches throughout the community and they in turn fed our body and spirit. I am inspired but my words fail and only tears express my joy in living; another shared their same feelings with me and I suspect others are moved as deeply.

The children of the church wrote thank you notes and I wish I had the imagination Emma Jones has, for her remark “You are a LIFE SAVOR” struck a chord in each of us as we read her words. I am so grateful to have been touched today, during this trip, and in this life- the sum total is merely equal to 1, and it is good. Thank you God.

 

FCBA Day 35- Kremmling to Craig

 

The day started out overcast as we climbed toward Rabbit Ears Pass. From the elevation of 6500 to around 8500 it was overcast and foggy as the clouds rolled across the hills and therefore our path. These parts of the mountain range are incredibly green from that moisture, and everyone remarked this reminded them of Ireland, whether they had been there or not.

The climb steepened after the first 25 miles and we reached the pass where it was somewhat plateaued for ten miles, and the descent began. Over seven miles we fell 2500 feet; it reminded me of skydiving for the rush, but unlike a free-fall that has the unlikely element of a sudden disaster, this downhill held a constant threat of it. My tires have over 2000 miles on them and are worse for wear- well, everything at this point is worse for wear, so add to the thrill. Kremmling to Steamboat Springs ride stats.

In Steamboat Springs we found a bicycle shop and I bought a new set of cleats for my shoes. Again, what started out as new gear has wear of what I normally experience in a year, and my cleats are at their end. I suffered a “zer0mph” crash today for their malfunction. “Zer0mph” is a word I made up for when I find myself not moving forward any longer, but I can’t get my shoes out of the pedals, so I just flop over onto the ground (a zero mile per hour crash). This is always accompanied by bruises and usually some blood and a ton of humiliation as witnesses feel the pain of it added to the pain of withholding laughter. I took it well, hitting the ground, feet still clamped to the pedals, and giving a victorious clenched fisted raised armed cheer of “Zer0mph”. Alex and Kert brushed me off, showed me where I was bleeding, and we made the last part of the climb. Anyway, the bicycle shop was generous with their discount but I still couldn’t justify the expense of new tires for I have a set of worn spares I hope will get me to the finish.

It was a long 95 mile day with all the climbing and headwind for the last 40 miles from Steamboat to Craig. We are the guests of the First Congregational United Church of Christ who provided dinner and will be taking care of us for the next couple of days. Tomorrow we “rest”, meaning church and speaking engagements for much of the day. I need to get some maintenance done on my bike; wheel truing, drive train cleaning and adjustment and overall lube and inspection. I also have a bunch of video to edit and post, and other tasks. Monday we will be working with the local Covenant Partner, taking care of numerous routine maintenance jobs for elderly folks in Craig. Nothing big, but service work isn’t for us to show off with- these things need to be done and will be greatly appreciated by those we serve. I’m exhausted for now, and though everyone else is out on the town, I’m hitting my mat on the floor. Good night and God Bless. This work and my words are meaningless without you. Ride video link

FCBA Days 33 and 34- Florence to Fairplay to Kremmling

 

[Due to computer difficulties I could not write yesterday]

Into thin air; the climb from Florence to Fairhaven, in Southern Park County Colorado (Southpark) was over 80 miles of climbing 5,000 feet. I first started noticing the effects of altitude at around 3-4000 feet when I found my speed below average and I was gulping air like never before. Starting in Florence above that elevation with the prospect of climbing wasn’t appealing and it was all hard climbing for me. Many times I’d look at my speedometer and see just above 4mph progress. Also, those gears I thought I would never use? Their teeth are getting sharpened.

Somewhere between Florence and Fairhaven we left the Midwest behind. Into Fairhaven there was a long descent and then a long valley into town. Fairhaven, in southern Park County, is from where the animated show Southpark was inspired. It is an eclectic place surrounded by numerous 14,000 foot peaks so naturally lives off of the folks those attract. In the summer many hikers and climbers head for the hills while cyclists clog the roads. In the winter there is skiing, the nearby area of Breckenridge being the big draw. It is a naturally delightful place for the high horizon, but also wide variety of wildflowers at your feet, and quick streams cutting through the landscape. Days total climb 7,688 feet with an elevation increase @5000. Southpark ride

The streams are filled by the weather the mountains create, along with the snow still melting. A brook is music to my ears, reminding me of my boyhood in the Northeastern hills of Massachusetts and Upstate NY, and I survey them with trout fishing in mind. Though the weather here is quite mild and pleasant it just seems so tempting to stop and jump in but there isn’t time, for the miles consume our hours. For now this will be stuff of dreams, and hopefully I will return for a more casual visit.

We started the road at 7 this morning, for the climb to Hoosier Pass; the Continental Divide. More climbing, but just 12 miles and we all met with David Snell, the President of the Fuller Center for Housing. This is his homeland, and he coordinated a visit with his family with our travels. We were met at the summit with signs, cowbells and cheering from him and his family. We took photos and dressed for the descent, for it was rather cool up there and the physical exertion was through. What followed was a thrilling downhill run through switchbacks, hills tempting speeds my inner youth would have risked, but I kept my speed to 40. Though my tires were new at trip’s start, they are sorely worn now and I was debating changing my front gashed rubber. I didn’t want to risk crashing at higher speeds, thinking that maybe 40 would be a more survivable speed to skid down the road. I was just lying to myself, though. I took more risk than I should, and it was exhilarating! Really, check out the graph on this link- it shows the ascent, peak, and descent.

Most of us stopped in Breckenridge for pastry, and then continued. The balance of the day was downhill, a wonderful change though as we approached Kremmling we were met with very strong headwinds, keeping progress to as low as 15mph as the grades decreased. There are always uphill runs that mingle with downhill. I got lost in Dillon and messed up the total day's ride, so this is a continuation of the above link.

We are in Gore Range Baptist Church tonight; it has lots of rooms and so far I’ve managed to have my own. I rode most of the day alone, having missed a turn and left behind after Breckenridge, so I’ll just stay vanished in this thin air.

 

 

FCBA Day 32- La Junta to Florence

We’re halfway in time and distance, or close enough anyway. The folks in La Junta made us breakfast and set us off on our way at 6 am for our 96 miles to Florence. I volunteered or sweep today and was accompanied by Kert for the task.

Goat-heads are new to me. These are the local equivalent to Florida sandspurs, but tougher. They will cause flats, where sandspurs are better described as just a nuisance. One did me in today at around 40 miles. That’s my second flat during this ride so I consider myself fortunate.

My tires are a light but durable racing/training style that I chose due to the higher pressure they are rated at and the experience I ‘ve had using them commuting. If I am lucky they will make the 3,700 but at this point think that is very unlikely. I have a set of worn tires I brought along that hopefully will make up the difference but even those will be done at trip’s end.

Today’s ride was across the prairie and before it was halfway through the Rocky Mountains were in the distance. As we approached the prairie has gotten drier until we came to Florence. This valley is the headwaters of the Arkansas River, rich with water, lush, and cooler than the highlands. I’m used to a river being a trickle and growing as it moves along, but this one is flowing here but as we’ve seen in the towns downstream it is virtually dried up before it gets to Kansas. Anyway, this is like an oasis and I can see why early settlers found this home; it is quite beautiful and the terrain is getting more interesting as we approach the mountains.

Tomorrow is a big day; plenty of miles and climb. We’re headed for the hills.

Side adventure: I’ve needed a haircut and so have a few others so I bought some clippers. It was a lot of laughs cutting each other’s hair and I think I’ll keep it shaved through the summer.

 

FCBA Day 31- La Junta and Dad: Ninety on the Ninth

This is our day of rest, and mine of remembrance.  

Roger William Major was born July 9^th 1923, ninety years ago today, the third child and second son of Napoleon Louis Major and Martha Nickerson. Napoleon was a haberdasher in Tarrytown NY who managed to keep his family in good order despite the conditions of the Great Depression. Dad finished his childhood under these conditions and remembered being ideal.

One of his greatest times was his ninth birthday on the ninth of July 1932. He was a favored child of Malcolm Murray, a wealthy gentleman in the community. Malcolm threw him a wonderful party, inviting all the children of his neighborhood and classmates from school. Dad loved fireworks and there were assortments provided in great abundance. When he grew his own family his son’s birthdays were an echo of his childhood favorite; turning nine on the ninth.

When his life doubled his childhood ended, for he turned 18 the year WWII came to America. He enlisted in the Army and did what men did in Patton’s 4^th Armored Division. Despite the enemy providing circumstance for his 9 purple hearts and other awards, Dad made these words possible through my creation. Eventually the wounds and his 83 years were enough, so he left us. Along with his stories he left me my name, manuscripts, photographs, questions I meant to ask and tales he intended to tell. One of the photographs contained a mystery; a photo taken of him in Czechoslovakia near the end of the war where he is wearing a wedding ring. I know of a love and half-sister from that time, but I never knew he was married.

My name comes from a brother he found through training and war named Mark Campanelli. I was telling this story while on this Fuller Center Bicycle Adventure when I was visited with an answer Dad gave me but I never listened for. The answer to the wedding ring I found in his manuscript ...funny about War:

“BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! . . . .. !

The very air around us seemed to explode!  [Mark] took off and I threw myself in his direction to catch him in two parts!  He was literally being held together by his uniform on one side.  He raised his hand with his wedding ring for me and died in my arms!  I slid the ring from his finger as a last order and went totally numb! “

Dad put the ring on his finger, and this mysterious picture was taken afterward. He brought the ring home to Mark’s widow to deliver with shared agony.

Tonight in La Junta the 101^st Army Band Concert Ensemble is performing in his honor. Ok, maybe not my Dad specifically, for it is to “honor America and her veterans with every note”, but in my heart it brings his memory and the love he had for my namesake to life. I love you Dad, and love never dies. Happy Birthday.

FCBA Day 30- Lamar to La Junta Colorado

Today was a quick ride. Landon and I did most of our traveling at 18-21 mph with a day's average of 17.7 over 56 miles. We stopped for breakfast along the way and then arrived at La Junta at 10am along with Kert, the first rider. Total trip time was 4 hours including stops. Lamar to La Junta CO ride stats.

I had difficulties with my camera so didn’t film the first half of the ride, but no matter- terrain doesn’t change much out here. It’s dry and flat with a few patches of green near settlements or towns. Water is very precious, for Colorado sold its water rights long ago; land owners cannot pump water from the Arkansas River, nor drill a well on their own property under threat of lawsuit from the state of Kansas. “Whiskey’s for drinking; water’s for fighting” is how it’s expressed. Water is the most valuable commodity to mankind. On that note: the water we’ve been finding available along this part of the trip hasn’t be especially pleasant tasting, but La Junta has a reverse-osmosis plant to provide theirs. I would imagine there are extreme conservation and recycling efforts in the area.

We are staying in the pastoral quarters of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church, a 70 year old structure not accustomed to the water needs of 17 sweaty bicyclists. There has been a plumber arranged to arrive tomorrow for it seems we’ve overloaded the sewer lines. Not a crisis situation yet, but in the basement where the washing machine is I am draining it into a garbage can and hauling it out to the lawn to dump. Laundry wasn’t a scheduled task today but I hate to not take advantage of the facility, so we’re using a garbage can to haul the effluent upstairs to the lawn. We’re just doing two loads of cycling clothes.

Everyone showered and most headed into town to see what it has to offer. We’re trying to find a hair clipper; a number of us are going to shave our heads just for fun. Yeah, we don’t have internet here and it doesn’t take much to entertain some of us (I’ll have to go somewhere else for Wi-Fi to get this out). Someone else suggested a toga party and that might just happen too, for we found a bunch of tablecloths.

Tonight the church is providing dinner. This church is shared by Episcopalians as well so we’ll have to watch our table manners. I was raised Episcopalian and it’s a sin to use a salad fork to eat meat. I’ll inform the others.  

                                    The bleached bones of commerce out on the Colorado prairie.

                                       Ever-ready for adventure, one must prepare accordingly.

                                                             This is a shared church...

                                                 ...and now they're sharing it with us.