Mileage - 67.13
Elevation Gain - 3,520
Day 14 - Trinidad to Del Rio
Mileage - 58.04
Elevation Gain - 1,601
I guess you could say Day 14 was a recovery day since the mileage and elevation gain were much less than Day 13. Wasn't planned that way but it sure was nice to have an easier day. In addition, we experienced our first long-term and significant tailwind.
For the last few days I have been thinking about how Dad and Carl (The Guys going forward) ride. A "normal" or healthy cyclist will ride at a fairly consistent pace - whether uphill or on a flat road - going faster on flats than on a hill. The guys don't ride this "normal" way so we are not able to pull them along or block the wind. Pulling is similar to drafting in racing. Cyclist A is in the front breaking the wind. Cyclist B rides 12-24" behind A and uses significantly less energy to go the same speed. Ideally, this allows both cyclists to cover more ground.
They Guys aren't able to draft efficiently as their pace is inconsistent. Why? I don't know but I do believe it is PD related. They ride at a pace which is comfortable to them. One prefers to turn a big, or hard, gear as it feels better on his legs. He will do this even if he is heading uphill or into a headwind. The other one will ride at a consistent pedal cadence. His cadence is very consistent whether uphill or on flats. Again this makes it a challenge to pull him along as he doesn't push a harder gear on the flats. Not sure if any of this is making sense or not but because of how they ride, we are not able to help them in windy conditions. Riding at their rythym or pace can be challenging for us.....and at times frustrating. Especially downhill when I want to coast faster but can't because I need to stick with them.
Their riding styles/patterns make it a challenge for Shannon and I to ride in front of them so we end up riding behind them....which means we are drafting off them! Completely the opposite of what should be happening.
Well, enough rambling about what it is like to ride with The Guys. They are determined, powerful machines - both physically and mentally. In many ways, they are way more powerful than I can dream of being. I can't even imagine how fast and far they could ride if they were healthy. All I know is - Parkinson's Can't Hold 'em and I am glad to experience this with them.
A few pics...
Dad at the top of the hill that was 14% grade. His first successful steep hill ascent - and he was all smiles.
Just a cool old truck
Some cows Carl, Dad and I were trying to help break out.
Cematary in Ferndale. It is on a hill and was incredible to see.
Wow. Your comments have such a strong spiritual significance, don't they? Well said, Shane.
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