Montrose to Parlin -May 31

Todays stats;

distance - 79 miles,

elevation climb - 5,768 feet, 

duration - 7 hours and 26 minutes,

max speed - 43 mph,

number of 74 years olds, also riding coast to coast on a bicycle that overtook me - 1, 

The ride today was excellent. The main reason for this was a tailwind that persisted almost all day. 

I could have easily passed the 100 mile mark, but I had booked accommodation so had to stop. 

I'm loathe to talk about the weather as I have become quite superstitious on this journey, but it did do me a favour.   I'm almost convinced that when days go too well, or the weather is too kind, things come back to bite you very quickly. Fingers crossed for more good luck to come. 

There were 2 main climbs today, each of about 2,000 ft.  

It was on the 2nd climb that Rick rode up alongside me. We chatted briefly and he said he was 60 Years old and part of a group of 5 that were riding with a support vehicle across America. The others were a few miles back and one of those was 74 years old!

The beauty of riding supported means they could use ultra light bikes, had no heavy bags to lug around and only really needed to carry some water bottles. 

Those are my excuses for being overtaken anyway. I mean really, my underwear probably weighed more than these guys bikes. 

Seriously though, wow, I hope and wish I could be in good enough shape to attempt this when I'm 74. 

Dad, fancy riding back across country with me?

Ok admittedly this chap didn't exactly look like he was having fun  when he reached and proceeded to  breeze past me, but I'm sure he was. We exchanged hellos but there was no time for pleasantries. He was gone. I was left to reflect. 

I think his mid day nap may go on until morning, but as he gets up and rides another 50-80 miles the next day, he has my respect. 

The scenery today was mainly rolling green hills with random jagged rock faces dropped in. 

Every now and then some mountain tops would appear on the horizon, in the distance and in no particular direction. In the mean time I have been working closer to my biggest climb, Monarch Pass.