So today was a rather amazing day on the road. The computer I am using has a bundle of sticky keys and I don’t have a ton of time so I think I’ll just cover the day in point form.

• Set out from camp around 9:30 am into a massive headwind and rode 50 miles from Craig through to Steamboat Springs.
• Visited one of the coolest bike shops I’ve ever been in. They couldn’t help me with a massive chainring nor a derailleur hanger.
• Loaded up on caffeine at a little coffee shop on the main drag.
• The big hill of the day was 7.5 miles long at a 7 % grade peaking out at 9300 feet. Excellent grade, steep enough to really hurt but within the capabilities of all the riders in good health. (If you’ve been reading for a few days… Steph skipped the hill but successfully rode the rest of the miles. Art is not riding.)




• I was part of the 4 person team riding “sweep duty” today meaning we had to be the last group on the road to help with mechanical trouble and motivation kind of stuff. We arrived at the top of the hill just as the riders ahead of us did. We wanted to give these slower riders a head start on us so we cruised back down the mountain to give the hill another shot. (Not the whole thing, only the final 12 kms or final 3/4 or so)
• We crossed the continental divide today and Alex and I seized the opportunity to pee in both ocean drainages at the same time.




• The downhill on the other side had fantastic pavement and I reached a top speed of 83.1 kph. A personal record! That’s faster than I got on Monday while drafting a semi-trailer, this one required no assistance.
• We arrived at camp at quarter to seven after just barely missing a series of thunderstorms on the way down the final valley. I had ridden 181.1 kms. I stepped off my bike and had food on my plate within 2 minutes, it was great!




• I was a bit fried from doing sweep duties for 13 hours straight today so went for a run just out of town this evening. Watched the sun set for the second day in a row while out for a run overlooking town. Running at 7300 feet is tougher than 6600 feet. I’ll let you know what it’s like at 8000 feet which is our elevation tomorrow evening.
• We had our weekly prayer service this evening out in the field by candlelight. Meditation was on the topic of injustice and peace. Scripture was Lamentations 5 and Isaiah 25 if you’re interested in what’s rolling around in my head this evening. The blessing to close the night follows:

May God bless us with discomfort

At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships

So that we may live from deep within our hearts.

May God bless us with anger

At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of God’s creations

So that we may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless us with tears

To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war,

So that we may reach out our hands to comfort them and

To turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless us with just enough foolishness

To believe that we can make a difference in the world,

So that we can do what others claim cannot be done:

To bring justice and kindness to all our children and all our neighbors who are poor.

Amen.