Cricket_Daily

	Route description	Cricket's Daily Report
Day 1	Cortez to Durango -- 48 miles: This day will probably be the most important for keeping an eye on the heat so riders will be sure to stay hydrated. They'll be rolling along some beautiful countryside here, near the famed Mesa Verde National Park.	Day 1, according to Cricket, was the "easy" day. She arose at 5:00am and was on the bike leaving Cortez at 7:00am. The temp. was a pleasant 45 degrees...but it rose to the mid-70's during the ride. The scenery was "terrific"! An assortment of rock out-croppings and mesas. Cricket arrived in Durango at 10:00am. The rest of the day allowed for shopping in downtown Durango then finding a place to eat some "protein". Tomorrow is a longer ride, so early to bed for some rest before getting on the road around sunrise. 48 miles down and 371 to go!
Day 2	This day will take riders 88 miles from Durango to Pagosa Springs. This is the largest amount of elevation gain in a single day of this year's route with 4,300 feet, but it is a gradual low-percentage gain that is do-able by any reasonably fit recreational cyclists.	Day 2: 4:30am wakeup and on the bike by 6:00am--didn't sleep too well! It was 49* at start--good biking temperature. Elevation change was steep climb at the start and end (tried to save energy in between). On bike for 7 hours--temperature reached up to 90*. Ice & Advil were my friends today! Don't take that next hill for granted when driving in your car...136 miles behind me; 283 miles to go! Rough day.
Day 3	Pagosa Spgs to Chama, NM -- 51 miles: For the first time, RtR will cross the state line into New Mexico. This is one of the classic road rides of the American West, with some spectacular vistas. Break out the cameras!	Day 3: Another night without any good sleep. No air conditioning--81* indoors; need to catch up the rest cycle. Start time 7:15am with 53* temperature--brisk but good! Lots of rolling hills! Beautiful mesas and valleys into New Mexico. Some hill climbs were challenging today. Downhill runs to 35 miles per hour on bike--FUN! Finished ride around 11:15am--temperature only 79*. (Good reason to get an early start). Legs are getting stronger but the body is getting more tired. Good day overall; 51 miles into Chama, New Mexico...187 miles behind me; 232 miles to go!
Day 4	Chama, NM to Alamosa, CO -- 83 miles: The road turns up significantly now. Riders will be climbing to 10,000 feet plus on two passes today. The key to not suffering here is for riders to maintain an easy pace in a gear that is not difficult to keep moving.	Day 4: The day was not bad, but long. I was up early at 4:30am and on the bike at 6:45am. The temp was a cool 47. Thank goodness for my sag partner keeping me on track. Climbing up Cumbres and LaManga Passes, there was an eerie silence with heavy breathing. Not much talking...everyone focused on getting over the passes. Had to have my mouth closed on the way down or eat bugs! Then we followed along farmland with irrigation canals. 47 miles of flat, bad roads with tired legs and temperatures rising to 81. I arrived in Alamosa at 1:30pm...270 miles behind me and 149 to go!
Day 5	This 84-mile day will take you from Alamosa to Salida over 9,020-ft. Poncha Pass. No worries -- riders are seasoned Rocky Mountain climber at this point!	Day 5: 4:30am wakeup--you know it's hard to choke down breakfast at this time in the morning---lots of carbs! 6:30 am on the bike; 49* at start. Long flats seem like high desert for 57 miles. Keep pedaling just keep pedaling! Thank you to the town of Moffat for the wonderful Colorado baked potatoes and toppings--great carbs! Climbed 13 miles up to Poncha Pass--crying abs steep! Then, fun, winding, downhill to Poncha Springs then down into Salida (that was a kick butt day after a long ride yesterday). While looking for our hotel we drove by a fatal bike accident...a horrible sight. We lost one of our own. It makes you realize how fragile life is yet we think we are invincible. Lord give me strength though I weep in sorrow. 352 miles behind me...67 miles to go!
Day 6	This sweet 67-mile finishing day will take riders to Canon City via the famed Royal Gorge bridge. The first 40 miles or so are mainly downhill -- woohoo! They will be riding over the highest suspension bridge in the world, situated 1,053 feet above the Arkansas River. This amazing feat of engineering is renowned the world over -- get some photos here!	Wake-up at 5:00am. Brisk 47*. On bike by 6:20am. Looking forward to a new day. Today I am riding in memory of Diane Woolwine. I'm riding like the wind. 53 miles of gradual downhill along the Arkansas River. Beautiful and peaceful. Then, a kick-butt climb of 12% grade to the Royal Gorge Bridge. An awesome sight to the river below. Then, 14 miles of fun downhill to Canon City and celebration time. 419 miles behind me...I'm glad to be home! Life changes like the wind, overcome the hills and valleys and give thanks for every day. Best regards, Cricket

Route description

Cricket's Daily Report

Day 1

Cortez to Durango -- 48 miles: This day will probably be the most important for keeping an eye on the heat so riders will be sure to stay hydrated. They'll be rolling along some beautiful countryside here, near the famed Mesa Verde National Park.

Day 1, according to Cricket, was the "easy" day. She arose at 5:00am and was on the bike leaving Cortez at 7:00am. The temp. was a pleasant 45 degrees...but it rose to the mid-70's during the ride. The scenery was "terrific"! An assortment of rock out-croppings and mesas. Cricket arrived in Durango at 10:00am. The rest of the day allowed for shopping in downtown Durango then finding a place to eat some "protein". Tomorrow is a longer ride, so early to bed for some rest before getting on the road around sunrise. 48 miles down and 371 to go!

Day 2

This day will take riders 88 miles from Durango to Pagosa Springs. This is the largest amount of elevation gain in a single day of this year's route with 4,300 feet, but it is a gradual low-percentage gain that is do-able by any reasonably fit recreational cyclists.

Day 2: 4:30am wakeup and on the bike by 6:00am--didn't sleep too well! It was 49* at start--good biking temperature. Elevation change was steep climb at the start and end (tried to save energy in between). On bike for 7 hours--temperature reached up to 90*. Ice & Advil were my friends today! Don't take that next hill for granted when driving in your car...136 miles behind me; 283 miles to go! Rough day.

Day 3

Pagosa Spgs to Chama, NM -- 51 miles: For the first time, RtR will cross the state line into New Mexico. This is one of the classic road rides of the American West, with some spectacular vistas. Break out the cameras!

Day 3: Another night without any good sleep. No air conditioning--81* indoors; need to catch up the rest cycle. Start time 7:15am with 53* temperature--brisk but good! Lots of rolling hills! Beautiful mesas and valleys into New Mexico. Some hill climbs were challenging today. Downhill runs to 35 miles per hour on bike--FUN! Finished ride around 11:15am--temperature only 79*. (Good reason to get an early start). Legs are getting stronger but the body is getting more tired. Good day overall; 51 miles into Chama, New Mexico...187 miles behind me; 232 miles to go!

Day 4

Chama, NM to Alamosa, CO -- 83 miles: The road turns up significantly now. Riders will be climbing to 10,000 feet plus on two passes today. The key to not suffering here is for riders to maintain an easy pace in a gear that is not difficult to keep moving.

Day 4: The day was not bad, but long. I was up early at 4:30am and on the bike at 6:45am. The temp was a cool 47*. Thank goodness for my sag partner keeping me on track. Climbing up Cumbres and LaManga Passes, there was an eerie silence with heavy breathing. Not much talking...everyone focused on getting over the passes. Had to have my mouth closed on the way down or eat bugs! Then we followed along farmland with irrigation canals. 47 miles of flat, bad roads with tired legs and temperatures rising to 81*. I arrived in Alamosa at 1:30pm...270 miles behind me and 149 to go!

Day 5

This 84-mile day will take you from Alamosa to Salida over 9,020-ft. Poncha Pass. No worries -- riders are seasoned Rocky Mountain climber at this point!

Day 5: 4:30am wakeup--you know it's hard to choke down breakfast at this time in the morning---lots of carbs! 6:30 am on the bike; 49* at start. Long flats seem like high desert for 57 miles. Keep pedaling just keep pedaling! Thank you to the town of Moffat for the wonderful Colorado baked potatoes and toppings--great carbs! Climbed 13 miles up to Poncha Pass--crying abs steep! Then, fun, winding, downhill to Poncha Springs then down into Salida (that was a kick butt day after a long ride yesterday).

While looking for our hotel we drove by a fatal bike accident...a horrible sight. We lost one of our own. It makes you realize how fragile life is yet we think we are invincible. Lord give me strength though I weep in sorrow.

352 miles behind me...67 miles to go!

Day 6

This sweet 67-mile finishing day will take riders to Canon City via the famed Royal Gorge bridge. The first 40 miles or so are mainly downhill -- woohoo! They will be riding over the highest suspension bridge in the world, situated 1,053 feet above the Arkansas River. This amazing feat of engineering is renowned the world over -- get some photos here!

Wake-up at 5:00am. Brisk 47*. On bike by 6:20am. Looking forward to a new day. Today I am riding in memory of Diane Woolwine. I'm riding like the wind. 53 miles of gradual downhill along the Arkansas River. Beautiful and peaceful. Then, a kick-butt climb of 12% grade to the Royal Gorge Bridge. An awesome sight to the river below. Then, 14 miles of fun downhill to Canon City and celebration time. 419 miles behind me...I'm glad to be home!

Life changes like the wind, overcome the hills and valleys and give thanks for every day.

Best regards,

Cricket

Cricket's Rainbow Ride

To Benefit the ATL Foundation