PACTour Epilogue - Rest and Recovery

Ridge of the Rockies is over and we are in its aftermath.  Back to work (14 days straight) to "repay" the 23 days off for the adventure.  

Will is right back into soccer, as though he never missed a day.  His girlfriend doesn't think he's changed, maybe a little skinnier.  Will is proud of himself for completing the tour (that says alot in a teenager.)  Will may be listening to dad a little (?) not once did he have a negative moment on the tour.  Atitude is certainly everything.

Jim is very very tired, maybe relaxed.  He had hoped to test his fitness in a crit on Tuesday, rained out, probably for the best.  He did lose 12 pounds so that made him happy.  Now the challenge is to maintain and hopefully lose another 10?  5 years of PAC Tour has moved his fitness along nicely.

The boys felt the keys to success included riding with different people on different days, and getting lots of sleep - 8-9 hours/night consistently.  They were tired but never exhausted.  They hit the Boudreaux butt paste from night 1, and had much less chafing issues this year.  Lots of lip balm prevented lip sunburn and erosions.  Listening to the iPod/iPhone passed the miles (and got some work done - audiobook required reading for Will, medical lectures for Jim.)

Jaime and Terri meeting the boys in Las Cruces for the ride to El Paso was the icing on the cake.  Fun, fun, fun.  The ride home with Jahant was fast and a blast.

So what's next?

Well, first recovery.

Jim and Terri's 1 hour spin on Wednesday (95 bpm average HR, 14.5 mph.)

Which preceded their 3.5 mile run, first training run for the San Antonio "Rock n Roll" Marathon on 11/16!!

Next year PAC Tour plans include the Eastern Mountains Tour - 2 less days, 50% more climbing.  Maybe another 10 pounds off for Jim on that one.  This tour ends up in New England which means a day or two with Opa and Peg!!  Hopefully a few Bicycle-Heaven friends will take a serious look at their schedules and do this tour with Jim -  August 8- 25.

If you want a taste of the PAC Tour experience going into this tour try a week in Feb/March in AZ or a week in June in Wisconsin.  Its all on the PAC Tour website!!

Until the next adventure - thanx for reading.