12 HOURS OF MESA VERDE

The whole gang left for Shawn's bike race early Friday morning (about 7 a.m.).  We made a few quick stops on the way to Moab.  Once we got in Moab, dad picked up his rental bike and we grabbed lunch.  Our bikes were stolen on our last camping trip and we are still working on trying to get a good deal/and dealing with insurance on new bikes.  We arrived in Mesa Verde at about 2 p.m.  (about a 5 and half hour drive).  Shawn went to the bike store to pick up his registration packet and then we went over to the Days Inn to get our room.  The Days Inn looked a lot better on the internet than it did in person, but it was a nice bed. Last time Shawn did this race (2 years ago) we were in the RV. The kids loved the RV but I am not a huge fan of the RV. It was nice to be able to take a shower Saturday night.  Shawn got up very early Saturday morning and headed over to the start of the race with his friends Jeff and Jim (who were riding as a duo) and their friend Andy who came to help support them.  Shawn rode this race solo, which is totally amazing. He started riding at 7 a.m.  The loop is 16.5 miles. He rode that loop 6 times, with very little rest time in between each loop.  It was a very impressive task for sure.  The kids and I got breakfast at the hotel and then headed over to the race.  We were there to see dad come in after his first loop, at 9:30a.m.  The kids were awesome the whole day. We love this race because they have kid activities to keep the kiddos occupied. Alegra and Cruz made a bag, participated in a magic show, got their faces painted, and participated in a real bike race.  The town of Cortez wasn't very far from the Riding Arena where the race was staged.  We left to get some lunch at McDonalds and to play at a park later in the day.  We were there to see Shawn come thru almost every lap (except for the mid day lap that he came in right when the kids had their race).  Shawn finished the race a little after 6:00 p.m.  If he had finished before 6 p.m. he might have done one more lap, but the cut off time was 6:00 for all riders.  I think 100 miles in one day is pretty amazing!!! Marc Norman also did this race as a solo rider.  On Marc's first lap he broke something on his bike so Marc and dad did not ride together, but Marc was able to catch up to Shawn and the rest of the laps they rode together, which helped make the time go by faster for both of them.  Once dad finished the race, we packed up and went and grabbed some quick Mexican food before going to bed.  It was nice to get the kids all showered and get clean that night, we were all pretty dirty and tired.  Just walking/riding the bikes around the race area was pretty tiring, but not as tiring as riding 100 miles!!!

 On the drive to Mesa Verde.  The kids did great in the car!  It helps that we have a DVD player in the car that they only get to watch on trips!

 There was this huge rock pile at the race that the kids played in for over an hour!

 Cruz was front and center for the magic show!!!!

 Our pretty butterfly!

 Cruz got called to help the magician/ventriloquist.

 Legs getting ready to compete in her first bike race!

 Lexi just hanging out!

 Cruz was in a different division and he did some actual single track in his bike race.

 Checking out the competition!

No- Peddle bike kids went first

 Cruz got his face painted like a skeleton after the race, he looked pretty scary!!

 One of dads breaks!  We all have matching jerseys this year thru our cycling team!

 Cruz is so cute!!!

 During one of dads loops we took a drive break so the kids could get a little rest time!

 Playing in the sand at the park!

 FINISHED!!!

 Sayin' hi to the pups, Frosty and Snoop!

 We drove back today and returned Shawn's bike in Moab.  As a nice Mothers Day special, they let me take out a Santa Cruz Tall Boy (the bike I am thinking of getting). I went on a little solo ride on the Pipe Dream trail in Moab while Shawn took the kids to the park and to feed them lunch.  It was nice to be able to test ride the bike.  I rode thru this cool rock. I took a picture because I thought the kids would get a kick out of it!

 Legs chillin' in the car in Moab waiting for me to get loaded up!

 We arrived back home at about 4:30 p.m. on the Mothers Day.  I looked outside and found this very special surprise.  I like to get my planters planted on Mothers Day. Shawn had bought these before we left and had my mom bring them over so I could have them on Mothers Day. SUPER THOUGHTFUL.  Shawn also made us dinner (even though I know he is super tired).  He made fish, vegetables, and rice, it was wonderful!  I am so blessed to be a wife and a mother.  I wouldn't trade it for the world!! I love all the wonderful people -big and little that are in my life!!