We woke up with pure excitement as we knew that the only thing between us and and a day off was 81 miles.... And a fare well to Utah. The Utah-Colorado boarder was about half way into our day, but the anticipation of entering our 4th state in 3 weeks (less than that if you only count actual riding days) was a driving factor of our levity and kept the morning light... Even when w found out that there were a few more hills than we expected.
When we reached Colorado, we got off our bikes and ran to the sign. I tried to do a pull up, even climb it, but failed miserably... And as Lindsay got done laughing at my feeble attempts, out of no where and nonchalantly did a hand stand, gracefully. We waved to a few of the cars as they passed and have us thumbs up, throwing our other hand up in excitement. While im sure it was fun for them to see, i very much doubt that they knew what this meant to b us. Three weeks ago today we flew in to San Francisco. I was overwhelmed with excitement to see Lindsay again and start this adventure (and to be reunited with my bike, too), but i realize how full of naivity i was, and what we have done, the mountains that we have crossed, and what we have had to give from our bodies and minds to get to where we were under that welcome to colorado sign, was nothing close to what i had envisioned or imagined us doing. we had to dig deep to get through done of those days, deeper than we once thought we were able to go. I remember leaving the bike shop that day in san fran with fully packed panniers on my bike for the first time, barely able to balance and feeling so scared about what we were about to do, really asking myself how we were really going to pull this off. I couldn't even get up a small knoll in a road because of the weight... But... We just did what we had to do each day.. And there we were under the sign, three full states and 1200 miles later. There is a nice ring to that.
It is also exciting to not know what each state will bring and be in a constant state of surprise... Each state has been different and beautiful in it's own way... Each has given us a new set of obstacles to overcome. I will miss that anticipation, the element of surprise, and the ability to be able to see the beauty in this country everyday. If you asked me a year ago what i would be doing right now, the last thing i would tell you is that i would be riding my bike across the country (or eating pints of ice cream by myself, daily). And while i am riding for a cure for a disease that makes my soul shudder, i feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to be riding my bike across this incredibly gorgeous land, to experience all of the elements, to hear what the birds and the trees are doing. Your senses become a sponge for their surroundings. Not to mention you have to work for what you see. on our first night on the road, we met an wonderful guy who was finishing the journey we were just starting. Recently, he left a quote by Ernest Hemingway, on Lindsay's blog that she shared with me today: "It is by riding a bicycle that you lean the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are."
Ahhh yes, those hills. By mile 60, we were ready for the rolling hills to go away. One thing i noticed today is that from a distance any hill looks awful, but as you approach them, you get a better understanding of what you have to do to get up them. When you get to the top, with the feeling of accomplishment, you get to see what is on the other side, and you hope that it is not another hill.
At this point of our trip, we started to get hungry. Lindsay decided she would eat a can of chef boyardee. Immediately, she regretted that decision and started to not feel well... When she came out of a store a few miles later, i finally noticed that she had sauce all over her face. In my attempt to keep a straight face when i told her this, (it was especially hard as i was picturing her conversing with the store clerk in this state), i lost it and doubled over in laughter. Her reply, as she was fighting hysterics, was "i just don't care anymore.. I'm saving it." That is what got us through the last 20 miles,
We rolled into Dolores, once again later than we had planned, but extremely happy to have finished another map and reach 1244 miles. We pulled up to the hotel where we would be laying on for the next 36 hours high fived, and gave a sigh of relief that those climbs were done, that we wouldn't have to face them again. After 81 miles, we could relax and know that tomorrow we didn't have to do another 80, or even 5.
We got an incredible discount on an incredible room, or suite i should say that had futons and the works. $80 for a $140/night room, which had been generously gifted to us by Lindsay's grandmother. We are grateful.
We walked down to the local brewery that had high recommendations. We indulged in beer synced we weren't biking the next day, and due to the fact that we haven't really had alcohol in the last few weeks, were low on calorie intake that day, and at an elevation of 7000 ft, the giggles started early and we laughed our way through the calzone that said "hope you are hungry" next to it on the menu. When the waitress took our plates she said "wow, you girls must have been hungry... We normally don't see girls that finish these." That amused us all the way to the gas station where we found desert.
It was heaven knowing the only thing we had to do the next day was do laundry and go to the post office... and it is funny that those are usually the things that i like doing the least at home.
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