Day 6, January 10, 2002
JEFF'S
UPDATE
Today was one of expanding personal limits. I could not fall asleep last night and hence only had 90 minutes of sleep going into the toughest day of our 24 day Coast to Coast ride, and for the first time in over a decade I "bonked" which is a bicycling term meaning I ran out of all energy with over 60 miles to go in our ride [see Kevin's update for a glimpse of what we endured today] . The learning was after a reload of fuel and the help and support from Kevin, Jennifer, and Kenn, I remounted the bike and finished the ride and the incredible climb up to Emery Pass, and the grueling headwinds of the Rio Grande Valley.
As I struggled, I thought of many things around the people we are riding for. I thought of Sandra Bausmer, who tragically passed away from cancer leaving a husband and young children. I thought of Adrienne Robinson, the 9 year old girl who lost her leg to cancer. I thought of my Dad who battled it twice and survived. I thought of the poem "Don't Quit" which is on our website, which seemed custom made for today! And finally I thought of my entire family who gave me the strength to complete the day.
We are now through the mountains a little ahead of schedule so that we can add some miles and hit of the major centers like Houston and San Antonio in the days to come to get some more media support for the charities we are raising money for. We will update the route section with some minor changes [and more miles!] in the next few days.
We remain as strongly committed as ever to achieving the Coast to Coast ride goal of raising as much money as we can for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and for the Trillium Breast Cancer Fund [see "Your Help" section on our website]
Goodnight and my love to Brooklyn, Skylar, and Diane. You pulled me through the day! Jeff
KEVIN'S UPDATE
OKAY IT'S GOTTA GET EASIER AFTER TODAY!
7:30 am on the bikes in 32 degree F temperature, missed a turn off that took us 24 miles off course, climbed 11,080 feet, crossed the Continental Divide and then to Emery Pass the highest point on our 24 day ride, descended fro 45 minutes down a deserted mountain rode, and rode the last 25 miles/40 kms in at least 50 mile an hour winds across the famous Rio Grande Valley.
Jeff and I are learning so much about our physical and mental toughness in the mountains reaffirming again that humans HAVE NO LIMITS!! Thinking about everyone at GEARS.
I love you Rose, Jonathan and Andrew.