Fijis Across America 2010

It’s not the mountains we conquer but ourselves. 

-Edward Abbey

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http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/co/pagosa-springs/998126323543655824

Today, in my own personal opinion, has been the best day yet even though it was our hardest day of the whole summer with a 13 mile 8% climb! I awoke early once again and felt very refreshed after having a relaxing rest day in Pagosa Springs. I believe I regained at least 15 hours of sleep that I had lost over the previous 8 days of riding and gained at least 3 or 4 pounds from all the food I consumed at all the local restaurants. After all the talk over the many months and mounted anxiety about today’s dreaded leg to South Fork it all came down to another day of living the dream. 

It felt wonderful to saddle the bike again and I could tell from the beginning it was going to be a rewarding and successful day. This is definitely an understatement. For the first 5 or so miles it was relatively flat leading beyond the outskirts of Pagosa Springs past a couple of RV parks paralleling the gushing San Juan River. I knew the worst was fast approaching.  However, a few more miles proved itself of the same stature and the countryside was absolutely breathtaking. Lush green fields were contained by miles of pined fencing on both sides of the roads, onlooking the ominous snow capped mountain in the distance. Some individual owns an extravagant estate thats for sure. 

Soon enough after passing a road work area where all the crew members gave a puzzling grimace as if to say “no way this crazy guy is climbing this mountain”, the terrain started to incline. After a few minutes of pumping a lower gear I passed a beautiful hanging valley waterfall dubbed Treasure Falls.

This was only the start to the many waterfalls to come formed many years ago from glacial abrasion. After passing another road work area where the road was closed off to one lane, the terrain steepened and then I knew from that point there was no turning back. The road was wide stretching four lanes at times with scattered areas designated for semi burn outs. Many of the vehicles and trucks that passed were ascending using lower gears….and I was stuck using the good ole granny gear traveling at 5 to 6 mph. The pinewood forests that dotted the road sides smelled sweet and refreshing adding to the euphoria of the ride. Eventually, after keeping a steady cadence and praying numerous times I made it to the top of Wolf Creek Pass! Wohooooooooo!

The thought of having the hardest day behind my back felt beyond description. I gave several shouts of joy, snapped some photos/videos, and talked to many people who stopped to ask about our cause. The interesting thing about Wolf Creek Pass is it is located on the spine of the Continental Divide—-the name given to the principal, and largely mountainous hydrological divide of the Americas that seperates watersheds that drain into the Pacific Ocean. In addition, the 3,102 mile Continental Divide Trail, one of the many scenic trail systems in the US crossed the position I stood. WOW! It was mindblowing to take my first few steps on the CDT.  I followed the trail for a few tenths of a mile into the edge of the woods so I would have an opportunity to slosh around the snow. The beard kept me warm most of the time up on the mountain. lol 

Eventually after making a few family phone calls and waiting about an hour the rest of the group finally summited. I cheered several of them on shouting and clapping my hands for their great accomplishment. We of course snapped some photos, talked to some other people about our cause and finally after much anticipation descended down Wolf Creek Pass. I was ALL smiles the whole way down. What took about an hour and a half to climb, resulted in about a 30 minute, 10 mile breathtaking descent filled with more rivers, pines, and just mindblowing beauty. In addition I had the thrill of traveling through a couple of tunnels, whooping and a hollering all the way down. If only I had a large horn to warn all the vehicles who was coming. I only pedaled about for a mile on the descent and kept telling myself„,Man this is the life, what beautiful creation!!! This is what I felt like on the way down: 

After what seemed a blink of an eye, I arrived in South Fork awaited by a logger named Biggin’ at the Hungry Logger Restaurant. I fevershly gulped down a turky wrap like a lumberjack which was beyond delicious and then walked over to our lodging for the night at some spacious 4 bedroom lodge with a kitchen and a single shower. Could today be any better!!!!

Rose—The climb, descent, and shouting up and down Wolf Creek Pass. The whole flippin day!

Bud—Meeting up with Bill Hebb

Thorn—-No Sunscreen=very bad sunburn for a ginger….but hey ive got some aloe. What a day, what a climb!