2013 Cross Country (Day 7) - 225 miles - Friday 07/19

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Waking up to the mountains was pretty awesome. Yermo looked really tire today. I heard him up at 2 am writing his blog. Dedication! 

I'm doing better and better everyday, but I was a bit tire from yesterday. It's even better when there is Starbucks right there 3 blocks from the inn. 

We took off on our way to Mount Evans. The elevation really got to me at pikes peak the day before. I felt like I got a super workout when I came off the mountain. Everything was kind of hurting, but in a good way. 

The part where I felt like I was riding into the cloud was kind of nerve wrecking. It may have elevated my heart rate and anxiety. All I know was I was a little short of breath. So when I discover mount Evans was taller than pikes peak, I was worry if my health was failing, which would suck. That and I might get too sick up top. 

Having serious health issues suck. After my trip to China it seem to be the focal point of my concern and anxiety, ironically this cause the problem to always worsen. Everything revolves around that fear. But as Yermo put it, we are here "to get out of my own head".

Just a bit up mount Evans road. My anxiety was kicking in. I got the fleece on cause its already cold. At the first turn, up the mountain there was a serious dip and bump on the road. I freaked and tighten on the bar. #epic fail. Went way wide. Got all squirrelly No car or anything near, but I spook myself.

I gather my nerves and got my Atlantis gloves on and turn the heated grip on.

At the "top" by the observatory. The way up can only be describe as unreal. No guard rails. Bumpy ride all the way up. Switch backs one after another. I would best describe this, if you ever play the game 'shadow of the colossus'

Just epic epic scene with 10 to 14 thousand drops every turn. You are literally on the edge of the cliff. 

Surprisingly I'm unaffected at all, the ride up, we were literally in the clouds. The road was much more technical than pikes peak. The switch backs were tighter. But i felt like a million bucks. Sure I felt tire if I try to power walk, but no shortness of breath no anxiety. The fleece really helped. There is the mountain goat near us. 

At the top hiking to the overlook, was about a mile up. It was quite the hike at the elevation. Took it nice and slow. 

As we came down, both of us had our go pro on. I was on 2 sec video snap and Yermo was on video. The clouds came into the mountain. Just when I thought it couldn't get more awesome. Riding down the mountain in the clouds. 

Another epic shot on the way down.

Going up mount Evans was much more dangerous than pikes peak. It was much more technical. But instead of feeling wary, I felt just fine. In fact, I have neve felt more myself in those moments climbing to the summit. 

Was that me? On a motorcycle going to the top of the mountain. Tight switch back roads, no guard rails. Skittish drivers cutting over to my lane. The cold, the thousands of feet drop. Nothing bothered me. Was I becoming more of myself and discovering my inner strength or am I moving on to become something more. Either way, as the day fade to night, these questions while unanswered didn't seem to matter. I said to Yermo at dinner, "lets just ride".