Kelci

Having just returned from Honolulu and the ladies U18 soccer tournament, it only seems appropriate to do a little braggin' on my niece. I have a brother in Parker, and his daughter is on a team that earned it's way to the regional finals in Hawaii against all the teams from the west, including California, land of lots of ladies to pick from and year round soccer weather to practice in. In the prelim games all week, they beat Northern Cal, New Mexico, and Oregon. Then in the playoff round they beat a tough Arizona team where they got pretty frustrated, and in the semis beat a skilled team from Washington. All the teams are really well coached and competitive, this is about as good as soccer can get. My brother Russ and I would watch the competition, and had been hearing about a team from L.A. called the Slammers. So what happened? Kelci's team ran into them in the finals. The Slammers had beaten the national champs in the semis and were on a roll. So was Custer.

I worked up a good dislike for the Slammers overnight. I don't like teams from SoCal anyway, I didn't like the name, I didn't like the uniforms. When the fire alarm went off in our hotel in the middle of the night, I blamed the Slammers for it, figuring they were trying to disrupt our sleep. That did work.

We arrived a little late after getting lost, which I blamed on them also. It didn't take long to see this was going to be a monster game, neither team was giving an inch. The Slammers were fast, and had little tank bodies that hustled like enraged bees. And Rush has a lot of really skilled players that pass and control the ball like pros. Pretty soon the Slammers scored, and at halftime it looked a little grim, going back and forth but no more goals. We had some chances but nothing was going in.

I always switch sides to watch the offense, and so I got real familiar with the Slammers goalie. She was a really good player making all kinds of saves, robbing us on a couple of chances. And she had plenty of attitude. The crowd was screaming at the ref, looking for a call on her. She would throw elbows, talk trash to the forwards, telling them to bring it on. "YOU WANT SOME OF THIS?" Seemed like she liked contact, because she would crash into whoever was near. I was working up a real lather, keeping it inside where it caused havoc. The only way to shut down her act would be to score, which we did when a collision in the box led to a penalty kick. So the game went into overtime tied at one. It was back and forth all game and could go either way.

I paced the sideline nervously and went up to the other end to watch the offense. I can get pretty competitive, and had butterflies in my stomach from wanting them to win so bad. On a beautiful breakaway, one of the Rush forwards broke in, beat a defender and tapped it over the goalie, who was already stretched out and couldn't get her hand up to block it. When it went over her and crossed the goal line I thought I was going to come out of my flip flops. I haven't felt that good since Laura....., well anyway there was a huge celebration and pile going on at the half line, but I couldn't take my eyes off the goalie, who was doing the alligator on the ground in disbelief. Was it wrong to enjoy an 18 year old pound the ground and moan in dismay? I never said I was perfect. Afterward I felt a little like a guy who laughed as he watched a little old blind lady bump into things as she walked. Sorry.

But really, both teams deserved to win, and both goalies were outstanding. So all of my fist pumping, body english, strutting, high fives to strangers, and continuous yes, yes, yes, chanting was more for the great game and our taking the lead than anything else. I was expecting a 21 gun salute from Pearl Harbor, which is only about 1 mile away. That didn't happen, but I did do a hula. After pretty much constant pressure from the Slammers, the game mercifully ran out and Rush had won. I can honestly say this is the best game I've ever seen. I did have an interest in it.

They now go to the national championships next month.

I am really proud to be Kelci's uncle and the same goes for the whole family. Russ and Tina are great parents, with Kelci and her sister Brenna also. Our family doesn't tell each other this very often, so for the record-WE LOVE YOU GUYS. I would have been proud even if they hadn't won the whole thing, the family dynamic is fun to watch no matter what. Congratulations Newlins!!!!

Redhead

Like a humming crowd at an NFL playoff game, we are waiting for the second half to begin. I'm on an airplane over the Pacific, and with some time to spare, I thought about writing a summary of the trip so far. Mostly for my benefit, so I can remember some of the details, it's also for anyone following us on the blog that may find it interesting.

Just as in any football game worth watching, there were highs and lows, if not for that it would be boring. And like any time you leave home for a long time, things remain the same at the same time they change. My friend Carl looks much better even though he doesn't feel very good right now. Lisa, aka Bonecrusher, is healing and will be better than new. The grass and trees have all turned green in Denver, making it feel like we've missed a good part of summer. I don't have a job, and that is starting to sink into my stubborn head. Our friends aren't doing anything different, but we are, and that's kind of scary at the same time it's exciting. So like the wagon train that stopped for the winter, we resume the trip not sure what to expect. But now that we're at halftime, we have some idea.

First, the bike. Big O is a great bike even with a few things I either don't like or have had a hard time getting used to. The front wheel is under my outstretched legs, which causes it to turn like a giant sectional couch with four casters. I've really gotten used to that, but still don't like the way the tire hits my heel if I don't watch out. The seat is just really beyond comparison to a wedgie bike seat. Think of straddling the edge of a bathtub for 8 hours compared to sitting on your lazy boy recliner. Think of a cat curled up on a pillow or Ed Hess laying back in his beige chair in the break room. My upper body doesn't even feel like it's been on a bike with Big O, so neck, shoulder, arm, wrist, and back problems are nonexistent. I have had to get used to the idea to change gears at the slightest change in road grade, it's just so heavy you can't pedal through a hill. Even though it changes easily in back, I have thrown the chain off in front about 6 times, and I am as careful as I can be. Any tension at all and it will not go into the small gear in front. I would like to see a stop of some kind put in on the front gears to prevent the chain from coming off. It's taken awhile to get used to going up a hill at 4mph, on my road bike even on the steepest hill in the Alps I wasn't below 6, and around Colorado hardly ever go below 8 or 10mph. I am used to that now and it doesn't bother me unless the Wyoming wind is blowing me off the road. The bike computer hasn't worked right since about the 3^rd day, which is irritating, but we will get that fixed. I have had to tighten a loose spoke a few times, but that is probably resolved now.

One thing that is a little surprising is the sense of responsibility that comes with riding the tandem. On a bike by myself I only have to think about one thing, me, and that's pretty easy. With two people, and only one driver, I can't help feeling like I have someone to take care of, and it takes some mental effort. It's not easy to think with your feet up in the air. Missing debris is much harder, now I know why 18 wheelers don't try to swerve around a deer in the road. Like the Indians, we became creatures of the weather, and it's a big change to get in a car or a building where it doesn't matter if the hill is big or the sky is black. I think we've found also that the hardest part of the trip isn't the riding, it's the living that goes on around it. Like in the tracon, it's not working the traffic that's hard, it's the stuff that goes on around it. Figuring out the route, meals, water, money, clothes, shelter, sleep, these are all taken for granted at home, but something to be challenged with on the road. Pedaling the bike is pretty simple when everything else is taken care of.

Highlights and lowlights are fun to remember, even if the lowlights weren't that low. It isn't life or death out there, and we're lucky to be able to do this trip. But try telling yourself that when you're walking Big O up a big hill with 50mph gusts, the sky is black, the chain comes off, trailers being towed whiff you as they swerve in the wind, the nearest sign of civilization is 25 miles away, it's late, you're hungry, tired, and at wit's end, Then add in the fact that the only person you have to vent on is in the same boat and wants to vent also. And you've been married to this other person for 30 some years, she has red hair and is not exactly a shrinking violet. Yeah, that was probably the low point. The worst meal was the Whimpys burger I had in Arco, along with the mushy fries I couldn't get down. The beer and chocolate in the room later made up for it. The best meal was probably the picnic in Prineville, where we had cheese, wine, fruit, bread, and chocolate out in the park. But there were many other good ones too. The best town: Mitchell, home of the bear and the one I called Mayberry. The worst town had to be Arco, a run down 10 acres in the middle of a uranium field. The best motel for me, maybe Hailey Idaho, a great place with homemade waffles as part of the deal. No doubt on the worst motel, it was the dump in Unity. Home of the epileptic donkey and the peeling interior, with a mattress shaped like a funnel. It's hard to pick the most interesting person, but perhaps the 80 some year old cowboy who appeared to be a real ladies man takes the prize. He was a calf roper and a rodeo clown, and told us some great stories while we waited out a thunderstorm. As for riding, there was a lot of gorgeous country. We talked about what we were seeing and stopped whenever we wanted to talk to people or read the historical markers. There is nothing like a big tailwind and a long, curvy road with smooth pavement to make you feel alive. I think we're both looking forward to more of that, and it makes all the trouble worth it. In the words of another biker we saw doing the same thing we are, it may not be the trip of a lifetime, but it is the experience of a lifetime. So like that playoff game, we are waiting with a little nervousness to see if the Broncos can win.

Halfway House

Finally it feels like summer. Since we've been in Fort Collins, the wind hasn't been blowing. All day yesterday we enjoyed sitting around the house and taking it easy. This will be the last blog for about 3 weeks because we are taking a break in Denver. Plans are to resume the trip on July 5 or so and make our way up to Ogallala Nebraska to the lake, then on towards Iowa and eastward to Yorktown, Virginia. Today we are riding into Denver from Fort Collins, and putting Big O up for awhile. With our house rented out, we're pretty much homeless. Tonight's plans involve getting hold of a car, and we'll have to start buying gas again. If there's anyone who wants to catch up on things, give me a call-I'm retired.

Fireworks

After 10 days in Wyoming, we were ready to get out of there. So much so that this morning we braved the wind and cold again to leave Laramie behind. The motel was noisy and pretty much a dump, so we really didn't want to spend another night there. And with the weather, or rather wind, being what it was, even though it was 42 degrees and blowing we took off for Fort Collins at 9am. It's a 65 mile ride, but we weren't out of town for 2 miles before the wind started blowing us off the road again. Actually into the road, which is worse. So we talked and talked about what to do, and decided to press on. It took us 2 hrs of effort to go the first 12 miles. We were pretty discouraged, especially after we had to walk up another hill, so we pulled into the first sign of civilization, which was a fireworks stand offering 25 cent coffee.
Big O practically had to be tied down, then we went in to get coffee and talk to the staff. The staff was 2 Iowa kids about 19 who live there as well. This stand is up on a hill where the wind never stops, and they had been there since January. A worse job would be hard to find. A worse place to live would be even harder. Mike Rowe could do a show up there. They sit there all day with no customers, just listening to the wind blow. In the winter there's nothing to do at all, they get snowed in, and the tv is sporadic because the power fails all the time, for a long time. To all the questions we asked about why, they were unresponsive, kind of like Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
Once we left there and climbed a couple of hills, we entered Colorado. Mercifully the wind died down, and the hill started down. Home never looked so good. We stopped at a little church, the only thing in Virginia Dale, and took pictures in the cemetery. It warmed up, and we had a nice ride into Fort Collins after blueberry pie for lunch, arriving at 4pm. So we're at Heather and John's house and feel like a King and Queen, the only thing better would be if they were here, but alas they are in San Diego. Sorry to all for the uncertain schedule, we just can't always tell what will happen. Tomorrow is uncertain, we may go to Denver or maybe stay here. We will sleep well tonight.

Arabs

Like camel drivers in a Saharan sandstorm, we led big O up the hill. The crosswind had become so strong we couldn't ride. What happened before and after wasn't that bad, but it wasn't good.
Waking up at Tom's was the best part of the day, with coffee and cereal. Pam was home and we said hi for a second, then she went off to a board meeting. The weather had cleared, and according to Tom it was "breezy", even at 9 in the morning. On his new mountain bike, Tom rode with us for the first 25 miles, then up a big hill, where he turned around for home. Still not sure how the rest of his day went. He even took a turn as stoker, even though his knees were almost in his chest. After the hill, the road took a turn to the south, and the wind increased from the west. It quickly went from breezy to windy, even by Wyoming standards. Then the rain started, sometimes from clouds that looked about 25 miles west of us. The drops took that long to reach ground. We kept climbing hills and reached a high prairie that is called Shirley Basin, and Shirley can surely blow. Even with my tendency to exaggerate just a little, I can't describe how the wind started up. It was cold, rainy, and the wind blew so hard it kept pushing us into the rumble strip. I had to ride in the lane, and go between the zipper strips when a car or truck came by. Speed was about 4 or 5 mph, and we had over 20 miles to go.
We were at wit's end. At one point Laura suggested we lay down in the gully, just to get out of the wind, but how long would we have to stay? I saw a culvert, and we almost pulled in for cover, the weather ahead looked so black. And the wind just wouldn't let up. Sounds coming from behind me were like those you hear when girls ride roller coasters. On the aforementioned hill, we had no choice but to get off the bike and walk up,the gusts were blowing us over. It actually took two of us to hold onto it, Arnold couldn't have held onto it by himself. That was the low point, even camels would have had both eyelids closed. I threw one tantrum when I shifted to low gear and the chain came off. Of course you get grease all over your hands and the wipes were in the bag, which would have blown to Nebraska if it was opened. Laura was using creative language cursing the Wyoming wind and weather. Enough said, we felt like Arabs in a freak sandstorm. The mile markers went by agonizingly slow, and at times I felt like we'd have to spend the night out. We finally rode down a hill into Medicine Bow, in the rain, and looked for the Virginian.
Wyatt Earp would be comfortable in the Virginian. Named for the book, and famous for the phrase "when you call me that, smile", the Virginian bar looks like it did in 1889. Guns on display all over, pics of the old west, bios of all the old west outlaws on the walls. No computer, phone service, or shower. I haven't taken a bath in years, but when that's all there is... it felt marvelous. I soaked in the soapy water until I felt guilty about how long I had been in there. After all, it was a shared room, the entire 3rd floor used it. For $29, like Laura said, you get what you pay for. It was about 30 degrees out, and we had to steal a space heater to warm up, the radiator on the wall was colder than Jesse James' heart. We also borrowed an extra quilt and crawled into bed at ten, after a ride that day of 8.5 hours and 72 miles in the worst possible conditions. Neither of us signed up for a day like that, but Laura deserves a lot of credit for making it.
Over breakfast this morning we worried about the ride today and the weather. We left Medicine Bow at 8:30 dreading another windy day. The temp was under 40, and it was already "breezy". But the further we went, the better things got. It warmed up, and the wind turned into a tailwind. Afraid to say anything about the conditions, fearing a curse, I put on the Ipod and we cruised into Laramie at 12:15. That's 60 miles in just about 4 hrs, really good for us. Maybe our legs are getting in shape, more likely it's the tailwind. Tomorrow we will go on to Ft. Collins, about 60 miles, and hope to stay at Heather and John's house, which they have kindly loaned us even they aren't home. Thank you so much guys. In Laramie as I write, it's 46 degrees, and we feel a little like we missed summer. But we are warm in our room, about to watch the Belmont. Dora, sorry we couldn't get back to you, happy birthday, we won't mention how old, but you're just a youngster. All is well, and we will be in Colorado tomorrow.

Casper

Ever been as nervous as a virgin on his honeymoon night? As my hand turned the ignition key, there were butterflies in my stomach. Yes, I was going to drive! It's been about a month since I've pushed a gas pedal, but Tom loaned me the suburban and Laura and I were off on an excursion. Handling the suburban was easy, I've been the road with big O. When it comes to size, I think big O wins.
The weather was horrid, we're really lucky to be off the bike. So we had a lazy morning, went out to the Oregon Trail museum, then to a bike shop to get another tube to replace the noise maker. Came back home to sit in the hot tub and listen to the wind howl and the clouds blow over.
Tomorrow we plan to leave Casper at about 9. Tom has a new bike he is going to ride with us for a ways, then we're on to Medicine Bow. He also is going to try the stoker position on big O for awhile to see what it's like. We have a reservation at motel there called the Virginian. It's got a lot of history, like shootings in the rooms and such. It's about 70 miles. The forecast is good, we'll see. I doubt if they have internet, so a blog tomorrow is questionable. I think it may be one of those places where they will make us tie up big O to the hitching post out front.

God's Country

They say Wyoming is God's country. The next time you see a windmill, cross your heart.

The oatmeal we had for breakfast two days ago was edible, but only after we microwaved the package of dried out, non flavored paste, added sugar and milk, and a banana that was bought at the Indian supermarket the day before. It had been smashed in my seat , but we mushed it in to the paste. The coffee was so bad in the Pronghorn Inn we stayed at in Lander that I kept overhearing people going out the door making a plan to go to the coffee shop for a real cup of coffee. Even free it wasn't worth drinking.
We took off out of Lander with a nice tailwind, then the road turned and it became a crosswind. Then it became a gale force crosswind. As we pedaled up the big 1500 foot pass, at 6% grade for about 5 miles, it became a Katrina force crosswind. At 4mph, we wobbled like a drunken sailor. We didn't have three sheets to the wind, but we did have one, and it was big O. When I heard an eighteen wheeler coming, the only thing to do was hope a gust didn't come at the wrong moment, cause when a big one did come it blew us right out into the traffic lane. Big O has 27 gears, and I've been figuring a decrease of 1mph with each downshift. I think I had to downshift 27 times on that hill, so what was our speed? Tammy have you been studying? So after 2hrs of this, we were at the top. The road turned with the wind, and we sailed into Jeffrey City. On the way there are some historic sites, and Laura would hang onto the bike while I walked off to read about Wyoming.
Jeffrey City is in the middle of uranium mining country, and it looks like it. Nothing but sagebrush and wind. We pulled in for lunch, and it looked like one of those towns where they filmed The Good The Bad and the Ugly. It's a ghost town in the making, and we had a reservation at the only bed in town, the tenement they called a motel. Starving for food, we dared to enter the cafe. It took awhile for the cook/waitress/hostess/owner/bartender/janitor to notice us, and when she did she tossed us menus and walked off. About 20 min later she reappeared to take our orders for local chili, the one and only thing that wasn't fried on the menu. The chili was good after all, so we sat there and discussed what to do for the night. Well, the forecast for today wasn't good, and I for one couldn't face the prospect of getting stuck there an extra day. Eating dinner at the fine dining establishment didn't sound good either. The possible bed bugs didn't sound good. The roof was flapping, the boards were groaning, the dust was flying. We/I decided to go another 60 miles, even though it was 3:15. That made yesterday a 125 mile day. But it was worth it. Laura isn't as crazy as I am, so the extra 60 miles was second guessed a few times, but she pedaled away, and with the help of a snickers bar we made it to Alcova, Wyoming at about 7pm. But we did have a tailwind for the last 3hrs, we'd go by bushes and grass bent over to the ground.
As we pulled into Alcova, we had no idea where to stay or what to do, it was starting to rain, getting dark, blowing like a tuba player, when we noticed a flat rear tire. Through the blowing dust I saw a lady and asked her about a place to stay in Alcova. There really isn't a town, just a bar with 8 rooms behind it, and we walked big O over to the bar and were relieved to find out she had one available. I kind of wanted one with internet, when I asked about it she laughed. That's why there was no blog last night. $55 was cheap, we would have paid 4 times the price. After beer, tequila, and dinner, we walked big O over to the room. The shower felt marvelous, but the loud tv in the next room, which was on all night, made the sleeping less than ideal.
This morning I changed the tire in the room, but lo and behold while we were getting ready to go to breakfast, the tire blew up. It sounded like a colt 45, and scared the holy shit out of us. When the adrenaline subsided, I changed it again, noticing the 6 inch tear in the tube. Still don't know why it blew, but it was an attention getter. Eileen, thanks for those CO2 cartridges, they work great. The biscuits and gravy were the best we've ever had, then we took off for Casper. A 30 mile ride felt pretty good. It was cold and threatening, but we're used to that by now. Spit rain on us, but that was it. Arriving at Tom's house in Casper was a relief, and it has been raining just about ever since. Laura made a home cooked meal of chicken and potato salad, with asparagus even. It's all a matter of perspective, and it's pretty comfy right now. This is like the Brown Palace, only better. Tom, thanks alot for the hospitality. After the last two days in God's country, his children must all be windmills.

Top Ten

When I walked into the Daylight Donut Cafe this morning, the geezers at the center table looked at me like I had arrived from Venus. That's the blue planet isn't it? Guess they had never seen a grown man in bright blue tights before. But they knew blue, cause they were all in their blue jeans, with plaid shirts, baseball caps with John Deere or the like on them, and that half shaven, I haven't seen anything except a cow in days look. Talking about guns, and crops. We had our pancakes and left Dubois at 8:15, with a glorious tailwind. The computer was fubar, but we estimated the first hour or two at about 20mph average. The sun was out, and anyone who has ridden a road bike on smooth pavement, over hill and dale with a tailwind and no traffic can understand what a thrill it gives you. We had lunch at a town called Washakie, on the Wind River Indian reservation. While eating outside on the picnic tables, Tonto and kimosabe rode up on two white horses. Actually it was a brave and maybe his sister or something. They tied up the horses and went inside to get a drink. We pulled into Lander Wy at 2:15, 75 miles in under 5hrs of riding, just a great day on the bike. We are absolutely basking in the sun here, after about 10 days with the penguins. With time to think today, I realized it has been a month since we left Denver, and 3 weeks since we have been on the road with no change of clothes. so here is the top ten list of goods and bads since the start. I won't even mention the small shower stalls where you can barely turn around, which caused my Venus razor to fail me. I cut myself shaving, and I don't like blood. My leg bled profusely.

Things I don't like: 1 Not having my own pillow 2 No newspaper in the morning 3 No good coffee 4 Headwinds 5 Cold 6 Not eating Laura's cooking 7 figuring out new shower each night 8 Dishrag towels 9 Broken bike computer 10 SORE ASS

Things I do like: 1Not doing dishes 2 Not buying gas 3 Not watching the Rockies lose 4 Stopping at unusual locations 5 Different beer every night 6 Downhills 7 Automatic weight loss program 8 Riding the bike 9 Writing the blog 10 Not listening to Curly say "Take twenty"!!!!! or tell me what to do EVER again.

We're going to Jeffry City tomorrow, another small Wyoming town, may not have internet, or cell, but they will have geezers at the cafe.

Moose Baby

The big pass we were concerned about turned out to be a breeze. It was cold when we left the lodge this morning, but warmer than Jackson. Along with our heisted bagels and peanut butter with honey, we started up the hill at 10. By noon we were on top, and sailing down the east side of the pass to DuBois. This is wild country, with not much population, so animals are everywhere. While looking for elk we might hit going 30mph, we spotted a moose with her baby about 20 yards off the road. Took some pics, but I can't post them now because I'm on the motel owner's computer. She likes me. Does anyone know the name of a baby moose? Is it cub, fawn, colt, gosling? Tomorrow we decided to go to Lander, because of logistics, and take the southern route to Casper. The bike computer is on the blink, so we don't really know our average speed, we estimate about 12mph overall. It's a 75 mile ride tomorrow, we're hoping for tailwinds. Got rained on again today, but just a spittin'. I gotta go, the owner's dogs are getting real friendly, and one of them is a great dane. Big and black. Happy birthday Russ, always good to talk to you.