Day 2. Diablo to Winthrop 70 Miles

MORAL FOR DAY
 
Never underestimate team and loving support!
 
Day 1 was easy except for dealing with the rain.
 
Day 2 I knew was going to test!   The forecast was 70 miles altitude gains of 7,500 feet.   A long climb of ( first thought was 25 miles)  40 miles.   The first 6 miles consisted of a 1,000 ft gain.   Why after you climb do you have to give it back on a downhill to take it back?  At mile six I was apprehensive about the journey.   This clearly is why I was doing treadmill work practicing patience.  However it felt like I was fighting something but just didn’t check.   Ugg.    At mile 25 switched out batteries as it was almost dead.   Didn’t exercise the battery that much just conserving energy.  As I approached mile 35 I heard a rubbing sound and stopped flipped the trike and noticed the right parking brake was occasionally rubbing……Ahhhh that explained so much…. Disconnected parking brakes and onward to mile 40…..it took almost 6.5 hours to climb 7,500 feet and go 40 miles….  The next 30 miles I felt like that pig in the Geico commercial screaming Weee out the Window!!!  It only took about 1.5 hours to get to Winthrop.   I topped out at about 45 miles an hour with my brakes on around some of the bends….
 
Winthrop is a beautiful touristy town. Main Street looks like a scene out of an old west movie.  Several dining options, all of them packed as the Canadians are down here for a long weekend, Victoria Day.  We are only about 50 miles from the border.
 
Review of the day… Beautiful scenery, fantastic fragrances from the forest, wonderful waterfall sounds, and while challenged and sometimes frustrated onward.   They claim this trail is equivalent to going through the Alps.  Just stunning!!!
 
So the moral…. Day 2 was very special and made possible by my Partner in Fun (PIF)…. Laura was very supportive and waited patiently during the day to make sure I was okay and support/ cheer.  At various points she would be on the shoulder screaming support. Very reassuring knowing someone has your back!  To take a full day and just follow me up and down the road stresses the importance of teamwork and loving support.  She has a demanding job and this day and her sacrifice was a testament to love.  At one point she ran into the town ahead, Mazama,  grabbed a fresh  sandwich and recharged a battery for me just in case.,
 
The bike shop on the west side of Winthrop was very helpful getting me a brighter helmet to lessen PIF’S concerns about visibility and also helping me with my Osprey bladder.   I didn’t know there was an ability to turn them on and off.  I also noticed I had a small leak in a bladder that I had to solve.
 
The results of the 1st 2 days is I am 1 day ahead of schedule. 
 
Couldn’t wait to get a bite and sleep….Made it with the help of PIF!!!