Today we rode from Dolores, Colorado to Ridgway, Colorado; a distance of 100 miles, during which we crossed over 2 passes. The two passes were Lizardhead Pass at 10,222 feet and Dallas Pass at about 90,100. The scenery along the way is beautiful, including snow-capped mountains. Temperatures were in the 80's most of the day. This brings our total milage for the ride up to just over 1400 miles. Tonight we are staying in Ouray, and I hope to be able to talk to numerous people - both individuals and families - and tell them about the hospital in Koutiala.
-Bruce

Second Blog

Got a few bonus miles today (40) as we were able to get to Ridgway (that is how it is spelled) by about 6:30 PM this evening. We are staying in Ouray (near Ridgway,CO) tonight. So today I rode my 6th century (100 mile day) since beginning the ride June 2nd. Today we started at about 7,000 feet rode up to 10,222 feet, back down to 9200 feet back up to 9500 feet back down to 7400 feet back up to 9100 feet. Then back down to around 7000 feet. My first day back on the bike for about a week and first full day in Colorado went well. We will see how tomorrow goes. I don't think we have another major pass until we get to Monarch (11,000+) later this week (Thurs?). It is good to have the family all here. We had a great day.
Blessings, Bruce

Saturday, June 21, 2008 8:05:32 PM - This is the most difficult day I have had so far. The terrain was slightly rolling, and uphill for 48 miles. Gradually, went up to 7100 feet at "Salvation Pass". From that point on it began a gradual descent to Comb wash. From there it was uphill again to Blanding. Just before mile marker 117 on Utah 95 I asked Isaac to pull over to give me a new bottle. Unfortunately, he complied with my request and gave up all of his momentum to get over the 8-10% grade that we were on. We could not get the RV to run again and I had to begin a ride into town to get help. I went to the top of the pass about 1.25 miles up and a police car went by with lights on. For some reason, I thought he just might be coming to help us...so I went back DOWN TO THE THE RV. He had not stopped, but was going to an accident that was beyond where we were. So, I got on my bike and went to the top of the pass again. Interesting because I was worried about making it the first time which is why I had stopped Isaac. We would have made it I believe, if I had not stopped him. I rode the 4 miles to the edge of town, found a quick stop station (Shirt tails-Sinclair) and he called Montella's towing. Frank and Todd Montella (father and son) came out to tow us over the hill. I rode in my first Peterbilt ever. I left my bike at the quick stop because there was no suitable place to put it on the tow truck. The quick stop was run by the Quitens. Quiten and Quiten Jr. I did not get their last name. They were all very friendly to us.
The truck was able to get us to the top of the pass where we were able to get the RV started again once it was level. It required a jump because we had drained the battery trying to start it on the hill. Frank and Todd believe if they put a check valve in the line and eliminate the back flow in the line when the thing is on a hill, they might be able to solve our problem. So, that is scheduled for Monday. I rode about 74 miles today. I thought it would be easy after a 100 mile day. But it was in fact a very difficult day.
We were in town (Blanding, Utah) and checked in by about 6:15p. The RV park is not fancy, but it has all the basic needs for about $30 a night. Hite was nothing close to this. It was primitive with no hook ups at all. Which we wouldn't mind if we didn't have to worry about our battery running down at night. We turned off every light and every charger in the RV. It started fine the Saturday morning.
Also saw two fellows named Matt and Zach. They are two recent grads of AZ something. They are also attempting to ride across the U.S. They seem to be doing fine. Zach's girlfriend is driving the support vehicle. So, they carry very little with them in the way of supplies. We ate at a restaurant called the Homestead. Steaks, etc. It was good but we're trying to break the restaurant habit.
--Bruce

Day 1: The first few days have gone reasonably well. We arrived at the first RV Park of our lives on June 2nd at 2 AM Pacific time. We managed to go to sleep at by about 2:39 AM. We slept about 4-5 hours and got up and learned the reason that the RV park where we stayed was called “Sounds of the Sea.” The sounds are seals - hundreds of them - all sitting on rocks far below. At first I thought someone had a lot of annoying dogs, then I realized they must be seals.
We decided to try to find the Redwoods Park which was supposed to be about 10 miles up 101 from where we were. Though they are big trees, we could not seem to find them. I know that must seem strange…but we were very tired and just didn’t feel like trying to go further to the entrance of the park. So we drove back down the highway (101) and arrived at Clam Beach. We then did the tire dipping thing that I think one is supposed to do as one plans to ride literally from coast to coast. I think one is only supposed to dip the back tire into the ocean, but both of mine got wet. I was worried about getting salt water on the bike…though I don’t think it will hurt rubber carbon fiber or Titanium.
Thus the ride began. I rode down CA 101 for about 8-10 miles before coming to CA 299 East. The road to Glendale, CA was fine. The road from Glendale was 6%. I would gladly give the names of the places I went through, but peddling uphill is about all I remember. I must have peddled up hill for the better part of 20 miles. After two major climbs and then two major descents we arrived in Willow Creek. 50 miles seemed like enough for the first day out.
We found a Laundromat and a VFW. Unfortunately someone had used bleach in the machine prior to our use so there are a few strange “extra clean” places on some of our clothes..bummer.

Day 2: In my mind, I always thought I could make it to Redding in 2 days. So, though I set out for a 60-70 mile ride the second morning, in my mind I was going to Redding and my first century of the Bike4Mali trek. The first 33 miles were fine. Then the second 33 weren’t too bad. Then came Oregon Pass. I think it was about 2800 feet. Not too bad except for 10% grades in a few places. It was a five mile climb mostly between 6-8%.
Then a nice downhill for about 5 miles. Then about 8 miles of flat then came Buck Horn Pass. I had been told earlier in the day by one person that it was 3200 feet. Another person told me it was 22-2300 feet. Still another person told me it was 2800 feet. There was still plenty of up hill ahead at 2300 feet. I hoped for the 2800 thing. But it kept going up and up and at times it was 13% for ¼ mile or so. It probably averaged around 7-8% for most of the time. Then I saw the sign at the side of the road for 3000 feet. Finally, I was seeing a very welcome sign that said Big Horn Summit 3200 feet. From there it was mostly downhill with some great twisting turns. I didn’t watch my speed a lot, I was mostly looking at the road, but it was easy to move around 30+ even through the turns marked 20mph. The cycle computer says I was going over 40 mph at least once. I was a fast fun descent. I think when I was younger I would have gone faster, but…I want to make it to the other coast…so I used less peddle, more coast, and some brakes coming down. In the “old” days I would not have been afraid to have peddled with extra effort to achieve a new high speed. But a few trips to the hospital have cured that need for speed.
Overall, the ride was beautiful. Many times as I rode along I looked over the edge of the cliff to see the Trinity River flowing below and sometimes a hawk or an eagle soaring over the valley below. The scenery was more like what you would expect to see in the Pacific Northwest than you would think of for California. As a matter of fact I had to keep reminding myself that I was in California not Oregon or Washington. I saw a group of about 5 rafts filled with 6-10 people each going down the river. Looked like fun. The river has a beautiful greenish white hue to it that is hard to really describe. It is not the dark green of rivers in the east, but the green of a fast river which lots of air bubbles from its rush over rocks as it moves swiftly down the ravine.
Traffic on the highway was not too bad. I had communication with Isaac available all day the first day. There was no cell phone service on day two at all. So, we settled on a new system. I would meet up with him and then tell him to wait where he was for about 45 minutes and then come up to and then pass me and stop at the next turn out on the road. Then I would stop, get more water, and move ahead of him for another 45 minutes. This typically gave me an hour’s worth of riding. I was consuming about two water bottles an hour so I stayed well hydrated, thus no problem with cramping as I moved up the two climbs that were saved for the latter part of the 106 mile ride.
We rolled into the outskirts of Redding at about 7:30 PM. My total on the bike riding time was 8.5 hours. I was not too disappointed with that considering the 6000 feet of climbing, most which was at 5% and above. It was good to roll into Redding. We found an Alliance church parking lot after consuming a large stuffed crust pizza at a local Pizza Hut.

Day 3 was a rest day. I rode 5 miles from the point where I entered the town to Simpson University where we are staying. We met several people here at Simpson including the President, Larry McKinney, who is from Western PA. There was a young lady named Wendy who interviewed me about the ride and more importantly about the needs in Mali, Africa.
I also met some folks along the way. One gentleman who looked to be slightly older than me said he had ridden across the country 6 or more times on his bike - once from Washington to Florida. Said he finally got “it” out of his system. I told him I intended to ride only once. He said that is what he told himself his first time. Hmmm. Well I really don’t plan to ride it again.
Cricket seems to be enjoying herself. She has met many new people and she is quite the socialite. Today she was introduced to a good portion of the administration of Simpson University including the president Dr. McKinney. She visited him in his office. I think Wendy was ready to adopt Cricket and took the time while we visited with Mark Woods and a few others to take Cricket around for proper introductions. Cricket seemed quite pleased with the whole affair and wagged her tail to greet all the ones I saw her meet.

DAY 4: I slept fitfully last night. It is 5:30AM here and I am up early, responding to a horrible dream I had of suffering people without hope in other countries around the world. Particularly, of course my focus for this ride is on the people of Mali: a people unknown to many in the U.S. Many here do not even know that Mali is a country in Africa. Some ask, "Is Mali in the South Pacific?" Others ask, "What is Mali?" Is it any wonder that this is a country where many suffer due to lack of adequate medical care? Is it a wonder that 1 in 4 children die before the age of 5?
I do not know what our exact numbers are in terms of what has been coming in for the hospital. I believe the American people would get behind this if they knew about it. Last I knew we were at around $3.00 per mile which is pretty low really. Someone said the other day, "Why give for people in another country when there are so many suffering here?" The reason is simple. 95-97% of all funds raised in the United States go to needs within our borders. I am glad that we care for one another so well, but what about those who have nothing? They suffer, and we - a generous people - have a chance to help them, too. I am not saying we take should take away from those who are suffering here. But we can help people overseas by giving a penny a mile to this effort which is only $40. And we personally will never feel it, whereas in other countries $40 may be all a family can earn in a year. Even if a person gave $80, (2 cents per mile,) they would probably not suffer. It might mean giving up something for a few days, or a week or two, but in the long run it will not cause significant suffering for someone here in the United States.
People in Mali do not have the opportunities in their culture that we have in ours. I am not saying we owe it to them. I am saying it is an opportunity for us to give some help to those who have need that is great. I had a man from Mali get down on his knees before our entire congregation and say, "Thank you, for what you have already done for our people! You have been so gracious to us." He did not ask for more. He was simply expressing in the most humble, gentle and earnest way he knew how much what we have already done for his people means to him. He is here in the North America attending school so that he and his wife can go back to Mali and help to educate his people and help them to improve their own lives. These people are not asking for handouts, but they know how to say thank you for a kindness extended. I have been blessed with the opportunity to use my ability to ride a bike for the purpose of helping to raise awareness of the needs of the people of Mali. But I must admit that if I ride across the country and we do not make our minimum goal of a million dollars, I will be surprised because I truly believe the American people would gladly rise to meet this need. If enough of us pledge even a few cents a mile, it will make a huge difference by making medical care available to people in great need in Mali.
So, please pray for more people across the country to become aware of this ride and to pledge to the hospital.
I must admit as I looked at the road I was to ride back to Redding from the coast it looked rather daunting. But I am encouraged by the fact that I got to Redding in 2 days, completing 113.8 miles and 6000 feet of vertical climbing the second day. This gave me an extra day here to get some stuff done. We had a minor mishap with the RV, but it is O.K. now. I am having problems with the fridge so pray that God leads us to someone along the way who can make it work right and that it will not slow us in our effort. We are heading further east today. Not sure how far. I believe I had 50-60 planned. We shall see what the terrain is like and how the legs are doing. Did a short 5 mile warm up last evening and felt good.
Blessings
-Bruce