Today is Wednesday and we are on day 10 of the tour. Today was a great day! It was hot, we were sweep, there were some steep climbs but it was awesome. Even as the sweep (which is the group who has to dismantle camp, pack it up and follow the riders - sweep them -into camp)we were able to get to camp by 2:30. This is great because it allows you the opportunity to get some things like laundry and supplies replenished before you have supper at 6. Once you have supper you are basically busy until its time for bed.
We are totally surrounded by mountains. It is quite nice to behold. You can see the rounded mountains in the foreground and the snow topped ones a little further along. I guess that means we will soon be doing some pretty major climbing again.
Today was especially appreciated since yesterday was so absolutely discouraging.
It was hot, like usual, but it included some pretty intense climbing for quite a distance and a lot of switchbacks as we circled our way over some mountains that just happened to be in our path. Three quarters of the way up the circuitous path, I got a flat. Paul changed it for me and as he was pumping up the tire it literally blew up. Everyone thought it was a gun being shot. Paul and I were on either side of the bike and both of us let it go and stepped back as we were deafened by the noise. Now we had to change both the tube and the tire.
We continued on our way and wound our way up the mountain. Then due to all the extra energy output and heat I got a sugar low. I was shaking like a leaf so we stopped to refuel. things returned to normal quite quickly and once again we pedaled on. Soon we were reunited with Alida whom we had been cycling with but were separated from (large groups of cyclists inched by) when we got the flats. The last ordeal of the day occurred on the interstate. As we were finally enjoying an exhilarating plunge down the other side of the mountain, I had another blowout. It was terrifying! There was the loud bang, the rushing traffic, the need to be off the freeway as quickly as possible and the weaving and swaying of the bike as I tried to get it to stop without pitching me off. We are truely being protected by all the prayers being offered on our behalf. I managed to stop the bike AND we were able to safely replace the tube and tire on the side of a freeway - something you never want to do.
Today was truely an awesome day!
