Cycling Ellen

48 miles today

753 total

I’m sharing one computer with everyone at a lodge off the grid. The computer is really slow so just a quick note for now to tell you I made it over the top of the Rockies at almost 9000′! The sun is shining, the sky is blue and I have a big grin on my face after a 16 mile climb and an 8 mile descent into Kingston. Details to follow but just wanted to let you know I did it! Yea!

Later…I just found out that this rustic lodge in the middle of nowhere, made of straw bales and off the grid, actually has wireless internet.  Who knew?  Actually, Jane who we tease because she’s always on a computer.  There is no cell phone service though so don’t expect to hear from your friends here. People are still coming in after a whole day of climbing.  As each person arrives, those sitting outside with a glass of wine, munching on sausage and cheese (and oreos), or jumping on the inground trampoline, cheer the new arrival.  They all deserve it.  It was a grueling climb especially for those who have never biked in the mountains before.

Before we headed out from the hotel, we sang the beaver song to Mary Kay’s father in honor of his birthday.  Many people had visitors for our rest day in Silver City.  The local press was there to take some pictures and talk to people about our ride.  It should be in their paper tomorrow or Monday.
We started the day climbing into the sun right out of our hotel with some rollers ahead.  At mile 9.2, there was a rock statue known as the Kneeling Nun on the side of the mountain.  It was hard to see as the sun was shining right behind it (but I saw a picture of one on a postcard so I knew that was it).  At mile 12, the real climbing began with a  one mile climb.  We saw the SAG at  mile 13 and not again for the rest of the day as we were so spread out with all the climbing.  Along the way we saw several people walking along the side of the road.  Since I wasn’t going very fast, I had time to ask what was happening.  It was a Good Friday pilgrimage, people walking 10 miles to church for the holiday.

At mile 22, the cue sheet said climb for 18 miles to Emory Pass.  Climb we did.  Except for a brief respite somewhere up on the mountain where there was a sweet (and surprising) downhill, we just kept going up and up.  At the downhill, I ran into Clark,  Kathy and Mary Kay so we could take some pictures before we headed up again.  That was the last I saw of anyone until I got up to the top where Phyllis was waiting.  I was happy to have an extra bottle of water in my bike bag (that I bought in Glennis over a week ago) as I was totally out.  I stopped a few times, especially in the last couple of miles, just to get my heart rate down and to stop and smell the fresh evergreen smells and take in the surroundings.  My legs felt great and the altitude wasn’t much of a problem.  At the top, just shy of 9,000 feet, I took a few pictures and headed down.  At a couple of points on the descent, I had to slow down not to exceed the speed limit!  There were switchbacks coming and going and the views were incredible.  What a ride!

This lodge is a unique place.  There are huge rooms upstairs and down for gathering and lots of little rooms and nooks and crannies to explore.  The people who are allergic to cats are housed in two other straw bale houses nearby.  The rooster crows, the dogs always want to be petted and there’s a giant tom turkey in the chicken pen.  We have taken over the whole place (along with Sue’s husband, Mike who is visiting from Vermont for a few days) and are going to have a big turkey dinner celebration cooked by our hosts tonight in honor of having conquered our highest climbs of this trip.  It’s definitely cause for celebration as so many completed the climbs.  What a great and brave group of women!