Knees, Butts and Calves, Oh My!

Our team of 32 has nearly made the 4,220 mile journey from Jacksonville FL to Monterey CA.  As of now, we are scheduled to complete the most total milage of any of Bike & Build's 8 routes as well as the highest daily average milage.  We are strong, we are tough and we are persistent.  

That being said, today we are soar.  For the past 74 days we have been training our bodies to ride a bike an upwards of 75 miles a day on flat ground, up inclines, in headwinds, etc.  Then yesterday, we throw our muscles and joints a curve ball by asking them to do something equally strenuous but completely different from that for which we have prepared. 

Yesterday's hike rounded out around 12 miles with just over 500 feet of ascending and then roughly 3,600 feet of descending steep switchbacks into Yosemite Valley.  For those of you that are familiar with the park, we took Porcupine Creek Trail past the upper waterfalls and down to campsite 4 before walking the rest of the way to the only school located in a national park, Yosemite National Park Valley School.  

Those involved in the hiking world know that more often than not, hiking down can be just as strenuous as hiking up a mountain.  

This morning, as my teammates roused themselves from their slumber and climbed up off their thermorests, joint cracking and moans from stretching served as my alarm clock.  Calf, quad and glute muscles took a toll.  Ankle and knee joints experienced much more impact than what they do on a normal ride day.  

The lactic acid buildup is unreal and I think the best solution is to go enjoy this absolutely majestic granite National Park by taking a leisurely hike to stretch out the muscles, get the blood flowing and take in this breathtaking scenery.  

(That's the famous Half-Dome off in the distance)