The first day of the RTR! How much farther to Hotchkiss?

So, 80 miles ago I told you I would probably be blogging standing up…scratch that. I’m sitting down… on a pillow in the library of  Hotchkiss Middle School on one of those little chairs that adults look so silly sitting in…yes, I’m looking silly and I can’t sit still because my hammies (hamstrings) are talking to me. Oh …Do you really have to ask why the pillow?

I do have my phone plugged in and the WiFi is flowing like old television signals used to… until last Friday. The beauty of the first day being over is … one, that all these riders have tackled their first 80 miles of 380. Second is the familiarity of the routine … get in, check in, set up the tent (unless you’re in Sherpa Land , they set it up for you … I know! High class camping!) And a shower… in the locker room or they have a shower truck…the back of this big rig is just shower stalls. They say it’s really cool and the water stays really hot! Very important after a long day dealing with finicky mother nature in Colorado. I chose to shower in the locker room (the line was shorter)…it was what it was…lots of sweaty tired men reliving their ‘glory days’ in the old gym locker room… It was a funny sight.

Just an FYI…We’re staying in schools in each town we land in and the people are nice. And it’s so cool to ride on some of these off-the-beaten path roads and pathways of Colorado… people in their yards waving, kids with lemonade stands … one lady was yelling, “You’re awesome!” And yes the town of  Hotchkiss stayed open for the RTR riders on a Sunday! Very nice.

All the towns of the RTR get a $5,000 grant for a non-profit of their choice. Although I think the host cities just loving being a part of the ride and seeing all the riders. It is funny to walk through the hallways and see people just lying all on the floor...  all bonked out from the ride. Some people sleep in the schools and others like me are ‘tenting’ it.

The morning kicked off at about 8, although a lot of riders are out of the chute early! Don’t ask me. Some just like to get a jump on things. I really think some people get into waking up early habits that they can’t break! (My step-dad for one.) I actually looked at my watch and I started out at 7:47 a.m. Don’t ask me why I remember that. Just a cool number 747…okay, maybe not.

The morning was beautiful out of Glenwood and the ride and paved path we were on…pretty nice! The mountain views headed to Redstone and on McClure pass — dare I say the overused word, amazing? I dare! Just so hard to describe … get in your car and just check out the view … just watch out for the  bikers! The group of riders around me were all “ooohhing” and “awhhhinng.”

They have these great aid stations about every 15 miles or so! Food, port-a-potties (honey buckets?) and it’s a great time to just people watch and chat with cycling peeps… (I like saying the word “peeps”… reminds me of sugary marshmallow goodness!) I’m a little loopy … it’s just after 8 pm and I’m all hopped up on smoothies and bananas with extra protein powder for my ‘bird legs’ “Caw caw!”

Sitting here on my computer in this elementary School library ...I can't sit still...the lady next is the Sports Anchor for a big Denver Station...looks funny sitting on the little teenie chair...she keeps looking over at me because I’m so fidgety...I can’t sit still. My hammies  and back are talking to me. So sorry for my fidgety-ness. So I did talk to a lot of people and several of the riders have never done an 80 mile ride. What an initiation. But we have to do it again tomorrow on our way to Gunnison. So those ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ from earlier might just turn into ‘Oh My’ and ‘Say What’?!  Today was fun day, tomorrow is reality day. Fidgety Day!

Overheard on the Ride: ”

You’re almost there…the Big lie!” and (this I heard a lot!) “My butt hurts.” And on the last 5 or 6 miles we passed a wagon set up for ‘barrel wine tastin’ and we crossed a wooded covered bridge with a wood floor…those are ideas that look good on paper…but don’t translate too well. The RTR by the way? The best organized event I have ever been a part of . Just sayin’.

Okay, had a little fun with those peeps, and here are the pics.

Met Nelson Vails. He was a silver medalist in biking in the 1984 Olympics. He has quads as big as my waist! So I saw him at dinner at the Hotel Colorado and told him I had to see his  quads … he thought I was crazy. So today I see him at one of those aid stations in bike gear. I realize he has quads and I have pipe cleaners. So I had to get a comparison picture… I look like I’m standing on a chicken. He still thinks I’m crazy. Both he and his wife are very involved with the RTR and both very nice. He took a picture with me! Crazy White Guy! High Five! Alright!

The next pic is of two guys who call themselves ‘Weight Weenies” — I’ll explain. I met these guys while waiting for a shuttle at the furniture place in Glenwood Springs (where we had to park our cars). They were talking about the tires on a bike… the weight, pressure, density, tread wear, pressure in space … how they could be used as a Hula Hoop … (made that one up) but you get the idea. Gear heads. So I met them at an aid station today and I had to give them a hard time. They were both so funny … friends and co-workers for years … both men did a stint in the Air Force and both are computer nerds who live in Colorado Springs. Armin Beaudrou … whose nickname is ‘The Hammer” and JD Gallager whose nickname is ‘JD.’ Don’t ask me, but that is funny. Anyway … they both just have infectious laughs and this is a big part of their bonding and getting together. Not unlike a lot of the riders who plan their vacations just for the RTR. Oh and that term Weight Weenies? Refers to knowing all the weight on the bike…the lighter the better. Although JD said, “If you’re  on a super light bike and still aren’t getting it done? It ain’t the bike.”

Also met a guy named Steve Stevenson who has a unique bike history museum in Colorado … in  his house! Next question? No he’s not married … anymore. But very interesting and fun guy and gives tours by appointment. But he is quite the history buff. He’s giving one of  the biking lectures on the  RTR. Nuggets like … The bicycle was patented in 1866 and went into mass production in the USA in 1868. And did you know Mr. Stevenson tells me…that cyclists were responsible for ‘The Good Roads Movement’ from 1880 to 1903! Go talk about that tomorrow! And somebody told me that there is a guy who rides his ‘unicycle’ — yes I just typed unicycle — from Aspen up Independence Pass and back a couple of times a week. If that’s true …I bet his quads are bigger than mine too! But, can he juggle while doing it? How bout that?

Okay … My body needs rest and I had better listen. Tomorrow is Hotchkiss to Gunnison. Another 80 miler! They say the ride is amazing! There’s that word again…but it is Colorado. So, amazing it is!  Have a great night and I will check in with you as soon as I land in Gunnison. Of course I will  shower first and regroup … but I will check in!