Earlier in the ride, as we rode through John Day, Oregon (it seems so long ago for some reason – even though the ride’s been going by so fast), we did a “Midnight Run” – riding down a five mile stretch of road at Midnight to avoid a construction zone that wasn’t passable during the day.
The Midnight Run was cold and dark, and frankly a bit creepy (pitch black skies, wearing 6 layers of clothes to try to stay warm, not able to see anything but the lines on the road, but hearing to all sorts of frogs and other unknown wildlife chirping away alongside the road)
Well, in many ways, the end of today’s ride rivaled the Midnight Run – and by the end, when Ian and Nikky finally arrived to take me to the hotel, I was glad that it was over.
But more about that later. First let’s catch you up on the other events of the day.
Today started off much like any other day on The Dog Cancer Ride Across America…
…….with two flat tires on my bicycle.
Have you ever had one of those days where… (no wait, that was yesterdays post…, nevermind)
Believe it or not, as we took my bicycle out for today’s ride, I noticed my rear tire was out of air. No surprise there. Because after riding the first 1,000 miles of the trip without a single flat tire, this morning’s (first) flat now made it 10 flats in the last 400 miles. (Actually, about 2/3 of these flats have really been “re-flats” – caused by 2 faulty patch kits – each of which worked great for a while before peeling away from the tire and letting out the air again.) I finally bought a new patch kit yesterday – and this morning was my first chance to put it to use.
And then, as we finished fixing flat number 10, Ian noticed that my front tire was out of air too – flat number 11! OK, no more patch kits – this time we’re putting on a brand new tube.
So, about an hour after schedule, I finally got on the road, ready to take on Rabbit Ear Pass again – my 12 mile, 2,500 foot climb into the Rockies – from where I’d left off yesterday evening.
And as I started the climb, I rode right past the 1/2 mile point where I’d gotten my first of 3 flats yesterday. Heck, I even made it past the 1 mile mark too, before getting flat tire #12. Argh. It seems the new patch kit didn’t work any better than the old one. Somewhere, somehow, we MUST have offended the “Tire Gods” – and they were striking back with a vengeance.
Proof of my Tire God theory came about 3 miles further up the hill – when I stopped for 5 minutes to resupply and meet up with Ian and Nikki, and noticed that this time I didn’t have a flat tire – this time my tube was starting to pop out of the side of my tire. The tire itself had died. Truly amazing. And truly necessitating at drive back into Steamboat Springs (yet again), this time to buy a replacement tire.
The Tire Gods were very angry…
And so, it would seem, were the Mosquito Gods…
I picked up a pair of beautiful new tires at the local Steamboat Springs bicycle shop (they held up great for the rest of the day’s ride – hopefully the Tire Gods have been appeased) – but by time I got back on the road after all of our equipment delays it was now nearly 5:00 PM – dangerously close to my “No More Rides at Sunset” decree. It seems that decree would need to be broken.
About 90 minutes later, I made it to the West Peak of Rabbit Ears Pass – a long slow painful hill that was made much easier by a local rider named Dan who met me on his way up the mountain (the locals actually do this thing for FUN) about 2/3 of the way up the hill, and kept me company (and gave me encouragement) all the way to the top.
By now, at the top of Rabbit Ears Pass, the time had come to Mosquito up – whip out those arm and leg protectors to minimize the damage. But it was too late. The minute I stopped I was swarmed by 10 mosquitoes, all out for blood. And then, by time I rode from the West Peak of Rabbit Ears Pass to the East Peak (where you officially cross the Continental Divide at 9,481 feet – a new Dog Cancer Ride Across America Record), they were literally flying along with me – landing on my shirt and pants, figuring out ways to bite me through my clothes (those Demon Beasts). The only way to keep them off was to keep moving. As long as I stayed at 14 MPH or more, it seemed, they couldn’t keep up. Not an easy task to do – uphill.
Finally, as I dropped off the far end of Rabbit Ears Pass’ East Peak, my speed grew as I dove back down out of the mountain pass and into the valley on the other side. Top speed, 42.9 MPH – another Dog Cancer Ride Acorss America record – and so fast that I had to put on my windbreaker jacket to try to stay warm (and beat off the mosquitoes) on my way down the hill.
The end of the day – Mosquito Run – was about a 15 mile ride – almost all fast , and almost all downhill. Which should have been wonderful, except for the fact that I was getting POUNDED the entire way, flying into mosquito after mosquito (it was like I was riding through a hail storm) – and lord knows I didn’t dare stop, for fear of even worse consequences than the sound of the mosquitoes bouncing off my jacket (oh yes, and my face).
And finally, after about 25 minutes of this mosquito hell…, salvation. That beautiful red car, with white Dog Cancer Ride Across America lettering, coming towards me to sweep me into town and signal the end of my ride for the day.
As Ian started to get out of the car to help me load the bicycle, I had to send him back into the vehicle to save him from our little friends. In the 10 seconds he’d been outside he was surrounded by about 30 mosquitoes, who would have happily eaten him alive in his t-shirt and shorts. At least I was protected, for the most part, as I slapped my bicycle on the back of the car in record time (yet another Dog Cancer Ride Across America record for the day) and dove in the car to escape the swarming masses.
Happily the day was over. Happily I seemed to (mostly) survive the attacks. And mostly, happily, I was DONE with Mosquito Run 2008.
From Kremming Colorado in the heart of the Rockies – and with renewed vigor to get OFF the road before sunset every night for the rest of this ride… – this is Ted Schneck, signing off and wishing you well along The Dog Cancer Ride Across America.
Bye for now – and we’ll see you up the next mountain pass (12,000 feet coming up, day after tomorrow)
- Ted Schneck
P.S. Thank you to everyone who’s been writing to recommend various Bug Sprays to ward off the mosquitoes. Unfortunately, most of those sprays use Deet and other harsh chemicals – which just don’t seem right to use, given the fact that I’m riding across America to raise awareness for people NOT to use those cancer causing chemicals around their dogs (or themselves). So for now, until I find a good natural/non-toxic alternative (I’m open to suggestions) I guess I’ll just have to keep riding fast – and stay away from late night sunset rides.
