La Ruta part 4

Stage 2 had the steepest climbs and stage 3 had one of the longest.I climbed for 3 hrs up to the top of a volcano.There was a hike a bike section that no one could ride and it went from almost 30 degrees to 5 degrees Celsius.Then i descended for 2 hrs down the back side.It was wet,muddy and full of baby heads.My hands were so sore and numb.The descents are where i lost all my time because i am not a great descender but i managed to take my time and rode it all.I passed some bloody people on this decent and one person was in so much pain that they were crying i tried to help but they didn't know what i was saying so a local took over.Stage 4 i was so ready to go it wasn't funny.I was awake most of the night watching my clock.I didn't need the 3:30 am alarm.I was feeling super good and wanted to have a strong ride.It was raining all night and it rained all day and i mean poured.We had a 40km an hr controlled start which was crazy,right threw town.I had lost sight of Don but all of a sudden i came around a corner there he was,he had flatted so i jumped off my bike and offered a hand.He had pretty much every thing under control so i said i would ride ahead because i knew he would ride hard to catch me and he did just before the teresal bridge's.So we rode the rest of the way together and pulled super hard on the flat road section.Then came the tracks wet ,bumpy and long.Saw alot of flat tire's but we made it.Thanks tubeless tires.When we got to the ocean it was still pouring rain but we went for a swim anyways then got cleaned up and had some beers.

La Ruta part 3

I just wanted to give a quick run down of what you did at the end of each stage.When you get in you have to scan in with your id. They then give you a ticket for a meal.Then you have to take your bike over to the mechanic's but before they take it you have to take off things like bike computer and other things you may have strapped to your bike that could interfere with the washing and maintenance of your bike.You then must track down your gear bag.They are all numbered and are piled in a big truck.Sometimes this truck is not easy to find and the bag is not light.After that you must shower if you are shuttleing to the hotel(stage 234).The showers are like tarps and garden hoses in the parking lot.After you get clean you have to lug your gear bag over and find a shuttle,but you can't leave when you find a ride oh no you have to sit and wait for the van to get all the way full and i mean fulll!Then when the van's muffer is touching the gound it is time to leave and it is off to the hotel.When you get there you have to unload you gear bag into the hotel and try to get a key for your room and lug it all the way up to your room.Once in the room you have another shower, wash clothes, shoes etc. Then begin to get everything ready for the next day like race food,fill bottle's etc etc.You then ate supper and then maybe watched a quick bit of tv and went to bed.