Indiana wants me, Lord, I can’t go back there
Indiana wants me, Lord, I can’t go back there
I wish I had you to talk to R. Dean Taylor- Indiana Wants Me
Ride to Horca, CO.
The day started with a ride up Indiana Pass which takes us to the highest elevation of the trip at 12000 feet. Here is a video that shows some of the climb: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DsFlrDnzjQ . The entire ride comprises 74 miles and 6600 feet of climbing. We started right away climbing and it went on for about 23 miles until we reached the top (no marker!). The grade would vary but seemed tougher at lower elevations.
I made very good time on the climb but the summit was extremely cold and windy. Freezing cold! Lunch was at the commit and the riders were huddled for warmth. I did not dally and took off after about 10 minutes of food intake. It warmed up just because the velocity of the wind went down considerably.
I was prepared for the difficult climb mentally but not the difficulty of the rest of the ride. The downhills were so technical (for me) that I took them slow and had no benefit of gravity. There were a few parts that I could get up to speed but it seemed to me that I basically climbed all day.
It was not a good day for me….
Ride to Hopewell Lake NM
This ride was to be approximately 66 miles with 7000 feet of climbing with 27% on paved roads. Rob advised that some of the first part was very technical with rocks and tough climbs. Consequently, I took the van to lunch and eliminated the hard part. It is no fun and the risk if injury is high. However, the second half was no piece of cake and Robe recalled that the route seemed to have gotten worse. Traffic, weather, lack of maintenance etc. can certainly change the dirt / rock roads from year to year. I would say though that I seem to be getting better on some of the more technical parts as I walked very little but did proceed with caution. We camped at 10,000 feet and it was very cold at night.
Ride to Abiquou NM
This ride was about 55 miles with 3400 feet of climbing and 38% on paved roads. This ride started out terrible for me and just about everyone sped far ahead. This was mainly due to the steep downhills. I take them slow and most of the riders just go so I am often 1/3 or less their speed.
It was not an unpleasant ride but I don’t like being behind. I rode straight through lunch and when we eventually hit pavement for the last 10 -15 miles, I put the hammer down. I wound up getting into camp in a reasonable time overall thanks to riding fast of the tarmac despite the head wind.
I did get a real psychological blow coming into camp. We were staying in the yard of the B&B and we were told that we could not use the showers nor the restroom facilities. Some riders got rooms but there were none left. I looked for a room elsewhere but there were none close by. I was so incensed that I tried to find a ride to Santa Fe to rent a car and drive home. I had not had a proper shower in 3 days and had some open wounds that require better hygiene. I would say that this has been the biggest disappointment of the entire trip that I can’t lay off on myself. I expected to “rough it” but not in someone’s back yard. I didn’t sleep at night and didn’t have dinner either (to prevent the need to use the facilities – basically a plastic bucket with a seat.)
Drive to Cuba, NM.
This was to be the hardest day of the tour of 81 miles and over 8600 feet of climbing on 13% paved roads. I rode in the Penske and didn’t get on my bike. In the morning, I had every intention of leaving but thought the better of it as we got into Cuba. The rest did me good although physically I felt fine, mentally I was drained as well as extremely upset with Bike Dreams. The crew has been wonderful but I think management could do a lot more to take care of our needs.
It took me a couple of thousand miles to figure out that I don’t like mountain biking at least when it gets technical. My performance is way south of my expectations to the extent that I would call it a bust. Not something that I will look back on with pride or fondness. The people have been great but I came into this underprepared and am paying the price. Perhaps the only thing keeping me here is the fact that I am riding for an organization and don’t want to let them down as well.
Thanks for reading!
Tailwinds
Chuck Hardesty – Riding for The Backstoppers.org
chuckhardesty 
Chuck, you seem to have had your share of hardship on this trip and never so succinctly and clearly stated as in this post. I had just finished watching the video of the climb to Indiana Pass and was impressed once again by the majesty and harshness of the mountains. You chose a tough course indeed. Still, it has been interesting to follow your progress as you overcome each day’s challenges and accept the rewards. I have no idea what’s involved in technical mountain biking nor do I like being at the back in general but if I had come as far as you I would be pretty proud of myself. I think it’s great that you use the support as advisable. The situation in Abiquiu sounds like a nightmare and having spent time in Santa Fe I would have wanted to head straight to 10000 Waves, book a room at La Fonda and catch up with the group when I felt civilized.
Thanks Sabine! Indiana Pass was just really long with some steep parts.23 miles and then about freezing at the summit with a harsh wind Some parts are harder than others such as riding up loose gravel / sand or the same with big rocks some of which are loose. Often I ride with one foot unclipped. No crashes since The Basin in southern Wyoming. I guess roughing it in the wilderness is one thing but roughing it in someone’s back yard is a different matter. I think I will need a few days in La Fonda when this is over!
Chuck-again-exhausted just reading your blog-all I can say is you have proven over and over that you are stronger than you think and that your God given body and brain has served you well!!! No need for perfection on this trip-it’s a grueling ride with less than ideal accommodations!!! BUT…. you’ve been tested, knocked down, but still manage to rise again-our own “Rocky”. Stay with it-enjoy God’s majesty all around you-we are all behind you and praying for your safe and successful finish!!! Hugs-we’ll done
Thanks again Jan for the kind words and encouragement. Sometimes it is just taking it a day at a time and at others it is just a pedal stroke at a time. The totality of the ride makes it tough. The mental aspect is often harder than the physical. I sometimes feel strong physically but mentally drained from trying to find a line down miles of mountain descents. Only a week to go and I think the last week is a little easier than this one. Your kind words mean a lot and it is fuel for my rides. Tell Ron that i said “Hi”. Hope he had a good time at the retirement party..
Chuck, during my couple of weeks on the tour I very impressed with your perseverance when some difficult riding conditions came along. Keep plugging along and don’t worry about when you get into camp. You are going to get this done!
Thanks Pat – Really appreciate you following along and your support. You were a terrific part of the group and really enjoyed your company along the way!
Chuck-send a photo of yourself next chance– I want to be sure you haven’t morphed into superman. I looked at the video and read the blog and, no doubt, as a result of your really descriptive writing, I can feel the aching hands, low back pains and your all pervasive level of fear of a fall this late in the ride. But, I speak for myself and tell you I couldn’t be prouder of what you have done and, like Jan said, getting up everyday and in spite of it all being so fricking tough doing it again-that is what is completely inspiring to me! As I said before, I am in complete awe!! Thanks for infusing so much charge in your writing – the truth is special. I made my donation to BackStoppers and I encourage all of Chucks friends and readers to do so in his support .
Hey JIm, You are the ultimate gentleman and class act and I always recall your smiling visage and good humor despite the adversity that you faced. It certainly was a sense of inspiration to me. I will work on the photo but I have definitely not morphed into Superman. I would like to write more and your accoloades are also a source of inspiration. I tend to just do a single draft and post and know that more time would equate to improvements. I also really appreciate your donation to the Backstoppers and your challenge to others to do so as well. I have no doubt that some of my CRossroads friends could do this ride if they wanted to. It is difficult but not impossible. I may tend to whine a bit more than I should. I once read a quote that went something like “The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare”. That’s the ultimate key is doing the background work and preparation. Ciao my friend!