Tour de WYO 2017: Day 2

This day's ride was HARD.

All the descriptors from yesterday—
Losing two thousand feet
With downhill highways.
Strong, tailwind, powerful assist—
Do not apply.

Today altitude gain went from 4000 to 7000,
That means lo-o-o-ong uphills for slow climbing.

Headwinds made work even harder.
Add heat, by time most of us were in midst of
Canyon climbs.

SAG drivers were very busy today!
Picking up riders who were depleted
Saved many cyclists.
Maybe four, maybe six cars are SAG.
Well planned ride support.

I rode 43 miles.
Many with mantra,
“No Race, My Pace.”

I flagged SAG.
Loaded bike on,
Drove car uphill highway.
Three miles, there was Bob in car.
Kind SAG Susie, unloaded me there.

Picked up Elizabeth ten miles beyond.
Drove to Laramie, 1303 Park—
Bruce ancestral home,
Now Elizabeth's home—lodging for tonight.

My bonus today:
Riders preparing to pass, called out,
"Are you Lin? Thanks for talk!”
Made me happy!

Asking if I was Lin
Points out rider nearly unrecognizable with helmet & glasses.
Perfect way to rob any bank and not be identified—Use someone else's glasses & bike helmet.
Don’t tell them I said so!

Hard ride meant passing riders
Shared their own encouragement phrase
For cranking their way up steep slope:

"This is time for
Just Putting the Next Foot Down."
Another:
"Slow, steep hills, I ask myself,
What else have I got to do today?"

Satisfying day.
Hard day.
Privileged play.

Hugs to each of you,
Lin

6am, ready to ride out of Wheatland

Cloud shadowing mountaintop

Greener here up high