PACTour Day 9/19 - Day of the Dinosaur

Each day starts with the selection of leg oils.  

We departed this am from Vernal, UT, a city proud of its affiliation with Dinosaurs.  This pink one doesn't look terribly threatening?!

Jim and Will up on the scenic view point at the 2nd rest stop of the day.

The Rest stops are alway a hub of activity.

Half way thru todays ride, we entered CO.  At city so proud of dinosaurs that it carries the name.  Yes Will took this sprint...

Will seems startled to see an actual dinosaur.

Jim, however, seems to have found a friend!!

And you didn't know that dinosaurs were Baptist!!

Of course Dinosaur, CO, must have Dinosaurs positioned on top of the street signs!!

Ascent view of today's little bike ride.

Garmin view of todays ride.  Low heart rates all day (average under 100.)

As promised, Jim and Will took today as a true Rest Day.  It was actually kinda hard and boring to ride so slowly.  Jim listened to a couple of medical lectures on the iPod and Will listened to some tunes.  It was fun having every one pass us as though we were standing still.  They stopped and helped Lon with a flat, and Jerry with a broken spoke.

The ride started an 9am and the boys rolled into lunch (in a park across the street from the motel) around 1pm.  After lunch to the local supermarket to get some supplies, then wash the bikes and unload the bags.  Jim took the opportunity on early day to degrease the chains.  So equipment should be good to go for the rest of the ride.  So far Will has only had a slow leak which was patched with Hutchinson Fast Air, and Jim tore up a tire that he should changed before the ride anyways, so equipment has worked well.

Tomorrow's ride is 90 miles with 5500 feet of climbing, from Rangely to Grand Junction.  Will has massage scheduled.   Early bed tonight and the boys should be in good shape to "dive back in" after todays "break" in the action.

Jim and Will did the math.  They are over halfway after 9/19 days in terms of mileage, yet less than halfway in terms of climbing.  So, they figure that puts them pretty much halfway!!  Will was excited to note that there are no days longer that 120 miles from here out.

As mentioned, we had the option earlier to either ride thru or around Yellowstone.  Will and Jim rode around, on the proscribed route (mainly so they could get full support ie food!!)  Cat and Marc rode thru the park with Anne Noone and graciously shared some of their pictures with Jim.  Below are a few, enjoy!!

Cat on a Catwalk in the hot springs of Yellowstone.

Cat and Anne Noone watching "Old Faithful"

Marc and Cat at the Continental Divide in Yellowstone Park.

Typical Spectacular PAC Tour scenery.