Well they are getting close to the end and they are feeling it in many different ways. Today started out early with a long day ahead of them and quickly became more complicated. About 25 km into the trip Jen began to have some knee issues which she was unable to work through so she had to wait for the van to clean up breakfast and come pick her up. At this point a few cyclists stayed back with her to wait while the rest continued on. After loading her bike, they continued on and multiple flats later Neto began to have some stomach pains so they took a break to eat and rest up. They continued on but he didn't feel any better and around then they were passing a paramedics post on the highway so a few stopped with him to get checked out. Turns out that he was having a muscular problem and was told that if they treated him for it they wouldn't let him back out on the highway to continue on so he stayed there and Julie, Deneen and Irai road ahead to meet the rest and make plans for the van to go back and pick him up. Julie then experienced two more flats in the short span so they sent Irai ahead to meet the van while she and Deneen went back to the paramedics to wait with Neto. By then end of they day, everyone cycled somewhere between 25 and 150 km but they ended up loading up the van at dark and riding the last bit to their destination. There may be some schedule modification to finish off the last three days because 200+ in a day is not realistic with this terrain. Here is what it looked like.
A good breakfast to start the day
Waiting for the van to come pick up Jen. A good place for a rest.
A beautiful view. They say this doesn't show the extent of the hills buts its all up-n-down.
Thumbs up for the patient.
An all to common sight today.
Hanging out at the paramedics post waiting to be picked up.
Day 12 as planned.
Tomorrow they are scheduled for a little under 100 km and depending on how they day goes, they may go longer to cut down on the 209 km they have planned for day 13. We will wait and see what the tomorrow brings. For now they head off to bed for a too short night and a morning that comes before it should. Three more days!
(This is a brief summary of the day and is subject to change upon Julie reading it. Our connection wasn't great and we got cut off mid conversation.)
You guys are doing great! I hope you don't let the unexpected rides in the van discourage you because you are all rock stars (our rocketeers as my phone changed it to) doing an unbelievable thing! Praying for safety and strength as you finish these last three days. And man, those hills! Beautiful but I'm sure killer on the legs!
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