It was so nice to see the clear sky when day started to
break. It was chilly but we just used arm and leg warmers until it warmed up.
When leaving the city we were getting lots of honks as I think people know
about the event in Austin and recognize we are headed there also. Since the
rain has stopped the markings on our vans are now visible to traffic.
Our Team 5 was first out so we were up at 0500 to get
breakfast at MacDonald’s, get the bikes out of the van and serviced and ready
to go for first light. We headed inland on highway 299 and within 45mins were
into a serious climb up the first mountain to a 2500 ft. summit, then a fast
steep downhill where you could easily reach speeds of 60+ kms but too dangerous
with the mountain switchbacks. After reaching the base we were right into the
second mountain climb up to a 32 ft. Summit. This almost finished me, took the
support of team mate Jamie Dunnett who is an incredible athlete to talk me
through the 45 min steep climb, I would have paid anything for a granny gear
rather than the 2 rings up front. I quickly learned on Day – 2 that I needed to
eat constantly in order to keep riding for a whole day. A large breakfast a
power bar around 0900 and a big sandwich around 1100 and a large lunch with
more power bars throughout the day. I have been eating about 5 power bars a day
to keep my energy going. With all this said the scenery through the mountains
was incredible! At 115 kms the van and the day’s ride was a very welcome site.
Our routine is to get out of riding gear ASAP use baby wipes to wash up and put
casual clothes on for ride to destination in the van. Our destination for
tonight is Reno NV and a cot in a gym floor with our entire group, including
volunteers. So it will be get in late around 2200, find a cot and sleep till we
get up at 0500 because we are first out again tomorrow!
