STAGE 9

STAGE 9 WAS VERY HILLY AND THE ELEVATION WAS A CHALLENGE. 8600 FEET OF CLIMBING IN 80 MILES. THE PACE THAT WAS TO BE MET WAS REAL AGGRESSIVE. I AM NOT SURE THAT I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT SPEED, EVEN IF I WAS FRESH.

TO KEEP THE PACE FAST ONLY ONE RIDER, HARRY SOLCUM DID THE LAST FINAL CLIMB. HE IS FROM BUFFALO, NEW YORK AND QUITE A CLIMBER. IT ALMOST SEEMED LIKEA.TAGE IN THE TOUR DE FRANCE. WE ALL CALLED HIM LANCE. SOME OUR RIDERS ARE PULLED AND TAKEN TO RALLIES. THIS WAY THE CAN SPREAD THE WORD.

WE WENT TO EL PASO AND SPENT A FEW HOURS FOR SOME SLEEP. I GET ABOUT 3 HOURS AFTER I GET MY BIKES CHECKED OVER, AND RELOADED ONTO THE VAN.