Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Post # 12 - Ghost Post

The leisure of the rest day is behind them now. They left the Phoenix/ Tempe area this morning. Dee said today's ride was long and quite hot - about 65 miles - and involved riding in a lot of heavy traffic and construction areas for the first part of the day which was at times unnerving. They got to the campsite on the late side which often means making & eating dinner in twilight or the dark. One of the riders has come down with an infection and will meet up with the group in 4 days in New Mexico if the antibiotics work.

The mountains of New Mexico are steeper and more sustained than the ones they encountered in California. Dee figures she is definitely better prepared and more in shape than she was during the first few days of the trip, but there are clearly some hard days on the near horizon. I think that while you do get in better shape and more used to the routine of daily biking, this is somewhat offset by cummulative fatigue which is not necessarily cured with 1 rest day.

She loved the rest day and if she had her druthers, I think Dee would opt for having the trip last two weeks longer to afford more time to chat with locals and lessen the mileage of some of the longer days. I think she is eager to get through New Mexico and into Texas and beyond as the terrain will be less intense as far as long hills.

She really loved the chance to read all your comments and is eager to get to a computer to read the new ones and write another post. Thanks folks. I'll post more as I hear from Dee.

Robbie

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Dee,
Glad to hear you are hanging in there...at least you don't have a prostate to worry about! I'm with you, I would want to stop and chat all the time...would probably take me a year to take the trip! Remember to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Was curious if you got a chance to weigh in yet...you will be a much slimmer Dee when you get back to Pittsburgh...you may have to wear a name tag so we can tell who you are! Think about you often and wishing you strong muscles, low hills, and good food and friends along the way. Glad your family is coping so well. We all miss you here and look forward to your safe return...with MANY pictures! Be safe, keep faith...good night!

Love,
Mardie and the hubster

Anonymous said...

I thought the worst of the mountains were behind you, Dee. Sorry to hear that there are more ahead. Good luck and hang in there. Thinking of you every day.
Love, Donalee

Anonymous said...

Dee,

I have been trying to keep up with your progress. It sounds amazing! Glad to hear you are hanging in there. Keep peddling, and I look forward to reading more soon. My best to you!
Rob, Jamie and Kali--hang in there too!
Bryan