Do you believe in karma?  You know...the concept that good intent and good deeds contribute to good karma and future happiness while bad intent and bad deeds contribute to bad karma and future suffering?

Yesterday, Jaine caught me at the 8 mile mark outside of Gunnison, CO and both of us were enjoying a great ride to town when we saw an older couple with a flat tire on the side of the road.  We pulled up and asked if they needed any help.  The couple were very capable people, but I thought if the lug nuts were pretty tight on the flat tire I could probably help them at least get started on the tire by loosening the lug nuts.

Next thing you know, Jaine and I are changing the tire as it started to rain.  When we got done changing the tire, the couple were extremely grateful and offered to pay us for helping them.  "No way!", we said.  "You'd do the same thing for us, it's the least we can do for you."  The man then said "We are believers in Jesus.  Can we say a prayer for you?"  "Of course!", we replied.  By then Josh had caught up with us and as we bowed our heads, the man gave a wonderful prayer wishing us good luck and a safe journey as we traveled across America. It was very moving and made us all feel happy.

The next day started off gloomy, dark and cool in Gunnison, CO.  At 9:00 am I put my rain jacket, put on my gloves and started pedaling, gearing up for a wet ride to Sargents, 30 miles away.  I wasn't disappointed.  As soon as I hit HWY 50 to start the ride it started to rain and built into a downpour within the next mile.   There was a very strong crosswind that blew all of the spray from the semis, RV's and trucks from the road into my face which added insult to injury.  The temperature dropped into the high 40's.   So much for karma, huh?

Actually, the weather sounds pretty bad, but I was dressed for the ride and although I got cold and wet I figured I could handle this for 30 miles.  Jaine was planning on picking me up in Sargents and we would tackle 'the King of the Mountain' tomorrow.

About 3 miles outside of Sargents, Jaine caught up with me.  We visited for a bit.  Jaine asked "How are you feeling?  Can I get you anything?  Is everything going ok?" By now the rain had stopped and the wind was drying off my clothes.  It was still overcast and cool, but getting to be nice weather for biking.  I said to Jaine, "Let's continue a bit beyond Sargents and see how I feel.  Maybe we can go to the sign called 'Monarch Pass 7 miles', get some pictures, then we can head back and I'll take a nice hot shower."  There was a neat little gas station/restaurant/convenience store/gift shop and a post office at Sargents and Jaine went in to get some really neat stuff and send off Father's day cards and postcards.

     

Sargents Post Office                                                                                                                       Post Office Sign

In the meantime, I went back to biking.  Just after leaving the gas station the road started going up.  It was 3 miles 4%-6% grade to the sign that says "Monarch Pass 7 miles".

John Entering Sargents                                                                                                                    3 miles into the ride

When I got to the 7 miles to go sign, I was feeling pretty good.  The weather was getting nice and I wanted to tackle the mountain. "Jaine, do you mind if I go on?  I want to tackle this beast."  Jaine was somewhat taken aback but was very encouraging.  "Of course!  Good luck and have a great ride.  I'll be there to support you if you need help."

I took off my rain gear and gloves, put on a lighter breathable jacket and took off.

It was a lot of the above for 7 miles.  As I was getting nearer to the top, the road grade got steeper.  Jaine got out some chalk and wrote messages of encouragement.  She put elevation markers for 10,600 ft, 10,800 ft and 11,040 ft and a final 'ON IN' message almost at the top of the summit.

      

When I got to the top, I was elated!  I rode 30 miles from Gunnison to Sargents then climbed 10 miles to Monarch Pass at 11,312 ft, the last 7 miles of climbing without taking a break.

 

Not to be outdone, Josh Montanero (Montanero means Mountain Man in Italian) also climbed the mountain and Jaine got a picture of him at the top.

When we were done, Jaine got T-Shirts for us to commemorate the ride:

Jaine and I later took a tram to the top of Mount Monarch and enjoyed spectacular views of the Rockies including Pikes Peak over 100 miles away.

All in all, a spectacular ride on a spectacular day.  Who says there's no such thing as good karma?

 

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