Taking a shake down ride this year has been a bit problematic. We ultimately decided to ride three 50 mile days in a row fully loaded, but locally. The first day we had to wind around a bit to get the 50 miles in, but we managed. I wasn't happy with my GPS because it kept saying no speed or altitude gain when I was doing a steep climb. Previously it wouldn't give me credit if I dropped below 3.0 miles per hour, but at least it told me the speed/altitude. Now it seemed to totally blank out below 5 mph. Grrr. I went through the reset process once I arrived home (it has to be plugged in to do that). It seemed to be back to normal on day 2. I've had several little glitches like that with the Garmin 305. Too bad the numbers are so addicting. I love watching the little altitude line climb upwards!

We both felt good at the end of the first day. Jacinto's strange knee pain from last week didn't show up again. Thank goodness.

Day 2 Jacinto voted to take the backroads to and from Glenwood Springs to eat at his favorite place Qdobas. I was less than excited as it included 14 miles of interstate riding and navigating Glenwood's increasingly crazy traffic. But I didn't protest as I picked the ride on the first day.

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I ride past these buffalo at least twice a week. Finally, they were in the field close to the road when I had my camera along. They are on the backroad along the river. It's a nice ride all the way to New Castle where we stopped at the grocery store for the restroom and a Gatorade. A few more miles on Hwy 6 and we were dumped on the Interstate. There are plans in the works and money, but not enough yet, to extend the Glenwood Springs bike path down towards New Castle. What a great addition. The only advantage to riding on the interstate is the vortex from all of the trucks sucks us right along. We exited at West Glenwood and rode into town for burritos. I have a problem with stopping for 'real' food mid trip. My legs think I'm done and are very cranky about getting started again. Last year on my L&C trip, I typically ate a PB&J while taking a shorter break. My legs didn't have a chance to cool down and get lazy. Or, maybe,I'm just blaming the lazy part on my legs instead of my brain. : )

We got back on the interstate without incident and exited before the exit where the frontage rode runs right alongside. We pushed through the grass to cut off about a half mile of interstate. Then we decided to double back east to the Storm King trailhead where we knew there was a porta potty. I had hardly gotten back on the bike when KABAM!!! there goes a tire. Which one? Ah, the BOB tire. Interesting. With Murphy's Law I was expecting it to be the rear bike tire. We were so close to the potty (all of that nice ice water with my burrito, you know) that I pushed the bike on over to deal with my bladder first, then the flat.

I probably picked up something nasty on the interstate. Nothing poking out of the tire besides the threads from the tire. This was the no name tire that came on the BOB. I had already ordered a replacement Schwable tire for it. That is my last box I'm waiting for before the trip. Must have been foresight. I have my one flat per trip out of the way already. Life should be good for the next six weeks. Or does this not count as my one flat per trip since I'm still at home? : )

Here's the amazing part. Jacinto takes it upon himself to change my tire. Wow. I can get used to this life. I am usually the chief flat fixer. This is great. We relaxed in the shade with no concerns until it occurs to me that we aren't really on tour yet, we have to be back to work tonight in three hours and we still have over 20 miles to go. Darn. We had some debate about the fastest way to get home. I thought it would be right down Hwy 6. But with the headwind factored in, maybe not. Perhaps Silt Mesa? Once we got to the top of the mesa, then the downhill rollies would take us home in a hurry. Jacinto said he thought going back the way we came along the river would be quickest. The trees and the curve of the mountains would help shelter us from the wind. We went that direction and it was a pretty good downhill run. We got home with 15 minutes to shower before work. We ended up with 62 miles this day. Today it was my legs that were tired at the end of the day.

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We had two boxes waiting when we arrived home. A second Slinglight chair and a box of assorted things, but mostly cooking stuff, from Campmor. Now we can do the cooking portion of our shake down. What a jumble this is, trying to get ready. We are pitching the tent tomorrow and cooking - but only here at home. The freedom of the open road awaits us in Oregon - no short tour around home as we did last summer!