Stats Thursday, August 19 – Delores to Durango. Day distance 51 miles; ride time 4 h 4m (5h); ave speed 12.6; total climb? - altimeter went crazy; total distance 1265.8 miles
We had rain on Wednesday evening. So we took time to dry some things out that had gotten damp – sleeping bags, tent, etc. What got more than a little damp, however, were our riding clothes. The night before we had washed them out in the sink at the RV campground bathroom and hung them in the tree to dry. Because of the rain through the night, they were not anywhere near dry. So we didn’t leave Delores until 10:30.
Before leaving we ate breakfast at the Rio Grande Southern Bed and Breakfast. Our usual breakfast of potatoes, eggs, and pancakes was varied with grits instead of pancakes. Since we were the only ones for breakfast at 9:30 the cook came out and talked with us for a while. We had mentioned that we were a little diet conscious as we quizzed him about alternatives to the menu. Maybe he thought we were a little strange, or was simply intrigued as the cross country cycling event came out in the conversation. But he clearly enjoyed talking and seemed to enjoy listening to us as well.
Our 50 mile ride from Delores to Durango demanded more energy from us than we anticipated. Maybe the 83 miles from the previous day and the 126 miles from two days before had drained us lower than we realized. Maybe it was the anticipation of having two days off. But every hill just drained me. And, Mick said he felt about the same. With every climb our legs ached. How wonderful it was to have a 10 mile descent into Durango!!
We had planned and worked hard to arrive in Durango Thursday and we made it. Much of the motivation was the opportunity to stay at the home of Howard and Carolyn Engeberg. Howard and Carolyn are the parents of my sister-in-law, Jan Engeberg Aalborg.
Howard and Carolyn have opened their home and hearts to us treating us as if we are famous cyclists and their children. We have beds, a home shower, laundry, and food, food, food! Did I mention food? Home cooked food! Lots of variety. Howard has offered his pickup for errands. It had been wonderful to be in their home receiving their friendship and generosity.
Tomorrow Roger Hill and Tim Sellers will arrive from North Carolina and Texas. These two guys will ride the Colorado section with us for a week. Mick and I have been looking forward to them joining us.
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