Kokopelli ride - day #3 (05/30/2011)

Today's program: climb, climb, climb & some more climbs!

Starting packing our Sag Wagon - the awesome Clifford!!!

Unpacking our camp at Hide Out campground

Mariella & Steele faithfully & patiently following us on this long day's ride.

Thank you again - tons & tons!!!

It wouldn't have been possible without either of you!!!

Coming down one of the climbs

Todd & the Clifford's Staff viewing the panorama

Todd getting closer to the La Sal mountains

Our Guardian Angel

Grazie milleeee!!!!!!!!!

Beating Clifford on one of the down-hills

Mariella and the La Sals

The Girls hitting another uphill after a snack

One of the many breath-taking views (both for the beauty and the climbs in high altitude)

that we were blessed seeing today.

Todd gaining on the La Sals

More beautiful panoramas

Ratz hitting another climb

Our big goal on today's ride:

La Sal mountains

The Girls are welcomed by some cows after their long paved down-hill and...

before their looong uphill on paved road up-up on the La Sals.

What do Pringles + Mother's Chocolate-chip-cookies + upbeat Country music have in common?

They helped Sarah catch (and also leave behind) the guys on the last uphill!

Yep!

You guys don't believe in Country Music, but... IT WORKS!!! :)

As well as also having the difficult & cool Porcupine Rim as an additional goal!

Finally hitting the dirt again, after sooo much uphill paved roads.

Still fresh and having fun!!! :)

Yeaaaahhhh!!!

A true miracle: the Ratzlaff's finally have a picture together!!!

Thank you Todd!!!!!!!!!

Todd taking a break while waiting for the "Wiped Out Chick" on the Porcupine

The "Wiped Out Chick"

Can't listen to my music while biking on a technical down-hill and both the Pringles and the cookies are waaay gooone, so... yep! I'm wiped out and can't wait to be done!!! :}

We started biking around 10.30 am and finished past 8 pm, exhausted but super happy we've done it. Well, we couldn't really express our happiness due to the overwhelming tiredness. I'm not sure how everybody else felt, but... when they said we were stopping at Wendy's for some fast food... the only thing I wanted to do was SLEEPING. I didn't feel like eating at all!

BUT!

Although I don't dig fast-food at all, once I bited my greasy, fried chicken-breast sandwich with all the bacon and dressing...

HOLLY-MOOOLLLYYYY!!! I REALLY felt renewed, and ready to...

watch Kung Fu Panda in the car with Steele on the way back to Fruita!!! :)

(I think everybody loved their burgers too, since this time... nobody talked while eating!)

Total mileage of the 3 days: about 142 miles

Total riding time: 15+ hrs (depending who you're asking)

Total climbs: too many! And ranging from few 100+ feet to more then 3000 ft

Result: AN AWESOME ADVENTURE with GREAT FRIENDS!!!

If we haven't killed each other on this one, I think we're able to do more adventures together.

But me & the Koko... as I said at the end of the 3rd day:

BEEN THERE - DONE THAT!

It's another thing I can check off my bucket list!!! :)

ThanXXX again to everybody!!!

P.S.: shall we do the rim-to-rim-to-rim in the Grand Canyon next Fall?