Sunday, July 21st, 2019
Ride Report: 43 Miles, 2,082 Total Miles, 17.0 Avg. mph, 1,722 Ft. Climbing, 3,509 Calories, Top Speed of The Day = 47.3 mph. It was another scorcher, just not a new course Record.
A short day was planned for the day - this as a result of the previously mentioned trip over Hoosier Pass. I continue to believe that was a good call. And it turned out to be especially true since the wind shifted to a headwind on the last downhill leading to the entrance of tonight's overnight stop near Pueblo. Had we another 20 miles to do when the wind shifted, it would have been into the wind. On with the day...
As much as I appreciate the contributions of the "Ghost" twins (seen standing proudly with their rides in the pic above) anonymity just isn't their style. So I've elected to take back control of my posts. Well, that and this is their last day with us on The Thin Blue ride. This is the "pre-ride" pic taken beside the Arkansas River in Canon City where we overnighted last night. Other than a car yowling its tires at 0200 (as reported by Kelsy) and a couple shouting at each other at 0400 (as reported by the author) it was a good night. What can I say, it was a public parking lot. I got to watch the City guy come by and pick up trash as I dined this morning.
This is KnP listening to the day's safety briefing. Daily safety briefings are mandatory when traveling with Teamsters. That would be the Briefing Officer's (BO) shadow in the pic. BO's don't concern themselves with where they cast their shadows. BO aside, the reader should note the mountains immediately to the right of the top of The Rig. We came thru them yesterday.
This was early on today's ride and just outside Canon City. The first third of the ride today was generally a descent. The second third was a climb of around 1,200 ft., and the final third was an overall descent accomplished thru a series of rolling hills. We enjoyed the first and last third. We tolerated the middle third.
This is P of KnP fame. We stopped along the road for a pic. He's always got that thumb's up thing going. Not sure what it would take to get a thumb's down from him. When we stopped, he was in the lead of the mini pace line we used all day today.
This is K (of the previously mentioned KnP). When we stopped for the pic, she was at the end of said pace line.
This presents an excellent opportunity to educate the reader as to the utility of pace lines in cycling. A pace line is when cyclists join forces to mutually benefit everyone's ride. By riding close behind one another (generally within half a wheel length of the rider ahead) and trading positions in the lead of said line, cyclists can greatly reduce the effort required to make it to their destination. While the person in the lead is giving whatever effort is required to go a given speed, the ones following have reduced their workload 20-30% by staying in the slipstream of the rider ahead of them. In our case today, we traded positions as lead rider (called pulling) every mile. When the leader's mile was done, they would just steer to the left of the line and gradually fade back, taking their place at the end of the line. Since each individual only "pulls" for a third of the ride, everyone's average speed goes up. An excellent arrangement, so long as one is riding with rider's one trusts.
We found this sign in the final third of today's ride. I'd not seen a 9% downhill sign yet on The Thin Blue Ride. Knowing me, KnP weren't surprised when I took off in an attempt to set a new course record. The attempt failed, I only reached a little over 47 mph. It might have been 9%, but it was relatively short, and we started from a standstill after taking the pic. When I set the course record yesterday, we went past a down grade sign already rolling at about 35 mph. Oh yeah - and the wind was a bit across my face at the time. So - sorry to disappoint. But it was great fun anyway.
That's a pretty remarkable ravine behind us - also known as a good photo-op. We took advantage. Note how the photographer stacked us in descending order of height. Very artsy.
This is that same ravine without us in the way - and zoomed in a bit. I love those clouds.
These always look impressive in person, but the pics never fail to disappoint. These vast open spaces just have to be seen to be believed.
Sequentially, this is me, Kelsy and Parker rolling into the entrance of the Arkansas Point Campground at Pueblo Reservoir. When we arrived there was a small cheering section. Susan was there, and Parker's Mom (Lori) had come down from Monument, CO to bring him the keys to his vehicle; which had been pre-positioned at a local Wal-Mart. The reader might wonder as to the necessity of her trip on behalf of KnP, it having been simpler to just bring the keys with them when they came. It may or may not have something to do with the keys being left behind at their house in Palmer Lake. In the interests of marital harmony, I'll never tell. Regardless, we were glad to see Lori. Susan and I had not visited with her for a while.
Used by permission of Susan Schoen Photography, LLC. This photograph may not be used without the express, written permission of Susan Schoen Photography, LLC. (She makes me put that in every once in a while to prevent the theft of her intellectual property.)
When we went to grab a bite at a local hamburger shop, I ran across this fountain in Pueblo. I thought it was kinda cool. So did the people reclining on the grass around it.
This would be me, K, P, Susan and Lori as we headed into Bingo Burger across the street from the fountain. Smiles all around. There's been a lot of that on The Thin Blue Ride. It may merit further investigation.
Finally, most riders consider Pueblo as representing the half-way point of The Thin Blue Ride - also known as the T/A. It is also the largest town on the route until we reach the environs of Richmond, VA. So, there ya have it readers, Pueblo = civilization. Since good burgers are also a sign of a mature civilization, I hope I can find another good burger before then.
Till next time.
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