This was it the day that a lot of people had been waiting for, or dreading depending on your point of view, the day we go over The Rockies via Monarch Pass and in doing so crossing the Continental Divide (every raindrop on one side goes west, on the other side goes east. Not that we've seen any rain at all so they could be making it up). Despite the fact that breakfast didn't start until 6.00am I was there at 5.45ish and was not the first. When it filled up I felt there was a tangible sense of anticipation. The stomach bug that was starting to find victims amongst our number claimed Piet and later Bill had to retire after battling through ten miles. Piet's wife did not ride either as she had been up all night looking after Piet.
Our 4 was back together, but we had to wait for Steve to complete a 'live to air' interview with a Sydney radio station. Any excuse for a late start.
The Mule's new bottom bracket seemed to be working OK, but I was keeping my fingers crossed as there weren't many bike shops where we were going. The road out was very pretty and we continually climbed gently towards a wall of rock and snow that frankly didn't look like it was going to allow us over. The first SAG at about 29 miles was reached without putting in too much effort as everyone was saving themselves. Not long after that we were travelling along the valley floor when the road decided to turn right and the tarmac turned up, this was it, 9 miles of climbing that would take us up to 11,312 feet.
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