I have been training since February 2009 with the goal of completing a cycling tour from Portland, Oregon, to Tybee Island, Georgia in 30 days. The PAC Tour group embarked on July 5th and we are traveling about 3600 miles and climbing approximately 124,000 cumulative feet. Please enjoy sharing my journey across America.
I am asking friends, family, and anybody else interested in following the trip to consider supporting this trip by making a donation to Seattle Children's Hospital, Research, and Foundation. Art and Kristin Reeck have made Children's a priority in their philanthropic efforts over the years, and I laud their achievements. I encourage donations to the Uncompensated Care Fund, to help pay the bills for children without insurance, or with inadequate insurance to pay their bills...lifting the financial and emotional burden from the children and their families. Indicate Jay Across America as the occasion for the donation so we can total the money raised.
Hopefully, someday, we won't have to raise money for causes like this. For now, however, I thank you for your support.
The donation total will be updated occasionally...Consider a donation per mile or vertical foot climbed...and follow on the GPS link, where you can see the route, the speed, the ride profile, the weather, and-yes-my heart rate.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Pac tour day 12 - July 16


Today is the one day of the tour I have been most excited about since I signed up for the tour several months ago...and it did not disappoint. We rolled out of our swiss chalet motel in Glenwood Springs (49 degrees) and rode 40 miles on a bike path along the White River to Aspen. The sky was blue, the water clear, and the river banks and hills were green as can be. I only wish I had more time to spend here, exploring the valleys and peaks by foot; finding alpine lakes; following streams; and, sure, eating in Aspen.
We followed route 82 East out of town and climbed 22 miles up to Independence Pass, at 12,095 feet. The climb was beautiful and the road was great. Temps were in the 80s and winds were favorable. We did have a lunch stop 8 miles from the summit where, against my better judgement, I threw back 2 hotdogs, an avocado, some baked beans, and a coke. Despite the gut-bomb, the climb to the top was enjoyable...and it was great to see Lon Haldeman headed toward the summit on his single-speed (with a 42x17, I believe).
I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...knowing that they never really do justice to the real scene.
Finally, we had a tailwind for our final 25 miles...and probably averaged over 30mph for the final stretch. I'm trying out a new wheel tomorrow to see if I can determine where a bit of slipping/noise is coming from...no biggie.
You know, the people on this trip are just incredible...So many people with ridiculous accomplishments on the bike (Race Across
America Finishers, Elite Tour Finishers (this is a 17 day crossing of the USA) (multiple times), regular 200 mile race riders, Fireweed 200 competitors (after knee replacements), a rider with a prosthetic hip, riders who also (?completed) 12 marathons in 12 months last year, riders who completed
multiple ironman length
triathlons last year...
And...everyone is so respectful, cordial, supportive, and helpful. There isn't a sense of malignant competition or arrogance. This is pretty amazing, considering the underlying (or maybe not underlying) compulsiveness of the people on this trip. I continue to be amazed by the country, the feats our bodies can accomplish, and the complexity and transparency that many people are willing to share while undertaking such a (physical and mental) journey.
OK, time to rest quickly and leave at 0630 for our 131 mile trip to Walsenburg, CO.








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