Songs of the Arches

[Arches National Park, Ride Day 1, 40 miles]

First day of riding, first day of circle up, first day of donning the infamous Fuller Center orange jersey.

Today was a short route, a good shakedown ride to make sure our bikes were in working order after flying, driving, or shipping them to Moab. Also, an opportunity to ride with the team on a fairly controlled route to learn group dynamics and communication. 

We took a paved bike trail from town to the National Park, (with our own VIP entrance for cyclists, I may add), and then we are on the one way in, one way out park road with the cars.

The park really presented the opportunity to investigate our climbing gears, as my Strava (fitness tracking app) tells me this is the highest climb I have completed yet. When I review my Strava “accomplishments”, I always add the caveat to myself. “Yeah, this is the [longest, highest, etc.] that I’ve done in the few months I’ve had Strava, it doesn’t count my Bike & Build trip!” But, then I remind myself, I was a much different person 13 years ago. Those “accomplishments” were just sheer byproduct of being 21 and capable. These notes are actual benchmarks for my current life.

My B&B friend Sara and I decided to be the first sweeps of the trip. Not gonna lie, it was a strategic move to pick the shortest day of our week, so when it was 80 miles on a 95° day, we weren’t out there for 10 hours. (Foreshadowing – we picked correctly for that exact situation arose.)

It was nice to ride together and chat, as we’ve kept in touch but not close contact since Bike & Build 2011. I popped by Atlanta in 2015 to see her, but it had been 13 years since we had ridden together.

Our turn around for the day was Windows Arch. Once there, we all moseyed our way to the picturesque viewpoint. Eventually, we managed to herd 30 cycling cats to get a group photo. As we sat taking in the views, Barbara shared today’s devotional, then we were treated to a beautiful song by Everett and Tim, which echoed through the archway, giving visitors a reverberating treat they likely didn’t expect to hear when they left their car 20 minutes ago.

Since today was a out and back route, the ride home after the photo was a choose your own adventure: either extend the day to a 50 mile route or return back to town to eat, shop, relax, or work on your bike. Since it was a scatter, Sara and I were relieved of our sweep duties for the afternoon.

I opted to ride back to town, as Bert decided to have an angry derailer and I didn’t want to stress the components before this week’s trip. Also, it was getting roasty toasty and I didn’t want to over do it on day one. 

We were treated to the lovely songs from the fellas at the arch, but my song of the Arches went a little differently. Mine went: wheeeeeeeeeee!!!! Woahhhhhhh!!! Weeeeee!!!!!!! while cruising down those gnarly inclines from the morning. It’s probably a good thing I don’t have a handlebar computer to tell me my speed because that would have made me nervous, ha!

The downhills made those climbs so worth it! (Foreshadowing- not always the case for this week). I bought a new sticker for Bert at the Visitors Center, as I feel we earned a new badge. After returning to the campground, my good intentions of tinkering with Bert passed out on a picnic table for an hour. Knowing we had a day off on Sunday allowed for a peaceful nap. The work will always be there.