The Final Push!

Yesterday, just 4 days before we hit the west coast and wheel dip in the Pacific Ocean, out team completed out longest ride of the entire trip.  We rode 116.1 miles from Yosemite National Park to the bread basket of this region, Modesto CA.  The team did well over 6,500 feet of climbing and just over 10,000 feet of descent.  Talk about a crazy ride! 

The 116 miles helped everyone work the soreness out of their muscles and get the mobility back into their calves.  Additionally, we were extra-recharged for such a long ride because we had had two days away from our bicycles.  By the time that riders began arriving in Modesto and the temperature had spiked to 108, everyone was ready for a little refreshment.  What better answer than some smoothies? 

Flashing back to our time in Yosemite, remember the fire that was ravaging the NW part of the park?  Well the van saw the plume of smoke on its roundabout ride into the park and even caught some glimpses of the emergency helicopters gathering water to drop on the blaze.  

Of course, our crew had a wonderful solution to the predicament.  

Once we hit the trails, the team had an awesome time and got to see a lot of amazing Yosemite treasures despite the fog-like smoke that was clogging up the valley and limiting the visibility in the area.  Still, seeing Half-Dome from a distance is a spectacular experience.  

Fortunately, the windy night cleared up the air a little for the excursions our crew took on their day off.  Elle and Laura captured a better view of the dome during their hike.  

On the hike down to the valley, SUS14 passes by Yosemite Falls and on an exhausting day such as it was, the obvious reaction to such a beautiful pool of water surrounded by majestic views was to jump in.  

Alternatively, I decided to enjoy the pools by napping on the railing of the bridge that passed over the water and Maddie captured my slumber on film.  

It goes without saying that SUS14's Yosemite experience was fun-filled, muscle intensive and incredibly memorable.  

We miss it already but are looking forward to the next three ride days taking us to lovely Monterey and a different kind of cool dip into the salty waters of the Pacific Ocean.