DAY 3 - Mon March 7 - Second Ride to Coronado

Mileage: 56 miles

Each morning at breakfast I started discovering how many riders have asthma. One rider (Baltimore, MD) had it from birth. She just deals with it. Michelle Grainger, coach and RAAM finisher in 90, and my roommate, Cat, both have it. One woman couldn't ride a few days because of her problem. It was noted that pollen was high - maybe because of all the rain plants were blooming all over.

The breakfast at the Quality Inn of Siera Vista was perfect. Yogurt, fruit cocktail, bananas, scrambled eggs, pancakes, waffles, toast, cereal, OJ, coffee, bacon, etc... Anything a rider needs for fuel was here. The room was large enough for seating everyone comfortably. It opened at 6:30 every morning.

Poor Ski, he had to wait for me every morning - we were last. This morning, we were in search of allergy tablets. That was Cat's diagnosis. At some convenient store not far away, we purchased some. At one point before the stop, we lost Ski ahead while Karl offered to switch his saddle bag for the one Ski lent me. I must have moved the saddle and now the bag was rubbing. I didn't think I'd make it through this day - but it was so gorgeous. Thoughts of winter back home and how it was going to snow again kept me moving on.

Eventually we came across a river which had a detour - take your shoes and socks off, through your bike over the shoulder and walk. The water was COLD! There were rocks. The Calgary tandem riders were taking photos of us crossing. One of their riders had a flat. Border patrol came over - first time we saw them and NOT the last. Throughout the trip there was a blimp overhead searching for heat.

The ride was easy and scenic. We joked about dogs chasing us and Ski offered to protect me. Eventually we turned down a road which was a loooooong steady incline with head wind. We almost missed the snack van. Beef jerky became my favorite snack along with Pringles potatoe chips. Most riders climbed up to Coronado. I didn't - especially after seeing the red, sweaty faces. Mary Crawley and Caroline Block did it. Karl, who rode with us, chose to do it. Ski and I abandoned him and headed back for the hotel.

We went to the coaching sessions and then dinner. It was Cat, Ski, Karl and I in a pizza shop. This is the night we found out Cat is allergic to dairy. Ooops!

I hadn't seen Cat ... she's wake up early a.m. do gymnastics and then head out to ride before breakfast. I'd head downstairs and snag a coffee from the regular breakfast room. One morning I met some Army guys. I was so out of it when one told me they were really Marines, I believed them. These guys had a convention going on that week.

End of Day 3