11 K in the Air Day 35

Day started out great and went downhill from there.
The Wong family was so generous and nice for taking us in. They fed us amazing chinese food and even sent us away with gifts. Thanks. XD

Anyway, left the Wong's restaurant at around 12 and started my 10 mile climb up to 11,312 feet - tallest I'll ever be on this ride. I hated pretty much every minute of it. Over a course of 5 hours, I rode and biked up this ridiculously steep mountain into 20 mph headwinds and freezing cold temperatures. I was wearing sweat pants over my biking shorts and 4 layers on top. (Under armor, jersey, sports jacket, XL hoody) It was cold.

Finally, got up to the summit of Monarch pass at around 5:00. Was surprised they had a store up there but I got some hot chili and then headed on my way down. I was going at like 25 mph downhill for about 7 miles - it was great.

After a break, my dad passed me on his car and told me that I still had 28 miles until town and that it was already 7:30. This was really bad because when the sun sets in Colorado, the temperature can go down to the high 30's, even in the summer. So for the next 28 miles, I pedaled like a madman going at an average of 15 mph through headwinds and uphills.
It's really weird at points because I might be riding through 40 degree temps and then all of a sudden, I'd break into this bubble of sub-freezing temperatures and then in a split second, I'd be out of it again.

Now the sun was down and I had 8 miles to go. Raced through it and got to this motel in Gunnison, CO. I was so tired that I practically fell asleep while standing in the shower.

Distance traveled: 56 miles
Time outside: 10 hours

Maysville, CO >> Gunnison, CO

(You know it's steep when there's a runaway truck ramp)

Biking Across America 6/28 Day 5

I rode up the Blue Ridge Parkway today.

The view was amazing from the top of the mountain (3200 feet).

Today was the first day I rode through rain and thunder. It actually got kind of scary with all the lightening flashing so close to me.

After the rain stopped, the road was unbearable slippery and it was unfortunate that I just so happen to be going downhill at this time.

There was a sharp left turn at the bottom of a slope and I decided to hit my back brake.

Unfortunately, the back wheel slid out from under me and I was thrown off my bike for God knows how long. When I got up, I was in bloody pain: there was a 4 inch skin abrasion on my leg and I sprained my wrist.

I was lucky enough to have a passerby, Carolyn and her husband to take me into their home and clean up the wound.

Without them, my leg certainly would have gotten infected.

My mom ended up picking me up and bringing me to a hotel where we re-bandaged the wound.

Distance traveled: 20 miles

Time: 3 hours

Shoutout to Buz for helping me fix my brakes and finding my glove.