A Tale of Two Watersheds...

As I rode out of Salida (7,083 ft) this morning, I was faced the looming mountains seemed like a daunting task. However it was seemed like no time at all, I was already 10 miles down the road and 1,500 ft higher into the sky. After catching my breathe for what seemed like the 100th time (The altitude really makes it tough, I see why people train at high altitudes), I had reached the Continental Divide. I reached the Continental Divide at Monarch Pass (Elevation: 11,312 ft). Mom and I stopped at the summit lodge to get a bite to eat, and just in time too as it began to rain. Unfortunately, the rain made riding down the mountain a little dangerous, so instead of the victorious ride down the base, we began our drive to Cortez, CO. Wow, some of the views were absolutely amazing. The colors, the formations, not to mention how much fun it is to take those turns in a car winding around the mountains. Tomorrow, I will have stood in four states at the same time, amazing I know. After that who knows, I'll let you all know as soon as I figure out what we're doing.

I've been to the mountain top...

Total Distance: 38.51 miles
Ride Time: 4:02:23 Average Speed:9.5 MPH Max Speed: 37.0 MPH
"If this hill doesn't kill us it will surely break our hearts" Stony Jackson, Heartbreak Ridge.
Well that wasn't my experience today, although it surely could have been. I started the day in Charlottesville (Elevation 594 ft) only planning on going 20 miles or so, as to start climbing Afton mountain fresh tomorrow. However when I got close, I said "Screw it, I can do this" and started the climb. Each foot of the climb up to the Blue Ridge Parkway was agonizing. I literally began to do it 1/10 of a mile at a time. However, during one of my breaks 3/4 of the way up I got passed by Mike (I think), a HS teacher from Houston. Well, we couldn't have that, so I chased him down and talked for a few minutes before letting him pull ahead so I didn't feel the need to keep up with him. It was during that break that I met a few people in a rest stop (Elevation 1825 ft) and talked for a bit (I gave them the blog address, so Hi if you are checking in). After they left I met 3 cyclists heading the other way to stay in Afton. However I decided to push on to Love. So I began climbing again, and it wasn't getting any easier. However, I eventually made it to the Raven's Roost Overlook (Elevation 3300 ft). So for those of you keeping track that is 2706 feet vertically (Just over half a mile). And every excruciating minute of it was worth it, because the decent was amazing. I don't know if the tears were from the 40mph wind hitting my eyes or the pure joy I was feeling but it made every grueling inch disappear from my mind (Almost). After making it to the cabins, I decided to make myself a feast to celebrate ahi tuna, mashed potatoes, a bottle of Snapple, and an oatmeal cream pie for dessert. It all tasted delicious, even if it was Chicken of the Sea and Powdered Mashed potatoes (PS I don't recommend these products on a normal basis, but today was an exception). Well see what tomorrow brings, but I am predicting a short journey because I'm exhausted.
PS: For those keeping tracking I passed the 100 mile mark today.