When we arrived at Kelso we noticed the support vehicle for Team Monticore. Franz was checking on his iPhone and realized that they were in first place for our division and we were right behind them so we got all ready for when Paul approached.

Franz jumped on his bike and made a mad dash out, with no need to wait for the support vehicle. Franz was now feeling fresh again and was climbing up the hill at a fast rate. This stage was only 34 miles and the final one for Franz so there was no need to hold back and having Monticore ahead to chase made it all the more fun.

Although this stage had 2000 feet of climbing there was again more descent than uphill.

Franz was able to keep his heart rate higher, unlike the climb up Townes Pass.

Franz finished with a fast downhill to Almost Amboy with a total time of 1:34 on the stage, averaging 22.44 mph. That did not give Paul much time to recover before he started the last stage. But we had reduced the 12 minute lead of Monticore to less than 5 minutes. Although they had their strong rider doing the last stage, it was fun to chase them down.

Paul started out for the finish for what would prove to be the warmest stage of the race. It was a busy road and a long climb to the Sheephole Summit.

After reaching the summit, there was a descent before a long, but gradual climb to the finish. The stage totaled over 58 miles with 4,200 feet of climbing. A difficult stage for the final one for Paul to tackle.

The sun was moving closer to the horizon as Paul approached the last 5 miles. We decided to switch over to night time rules so the vehicle could be behind Paul, since the cars coming from behind had the sun in their eyes.

Paul rode the final few miles through Twentynine Palms, including a cruel little climb before the finish. About a half of mile before the end Franz got out and on his bike so they could ride in together.

They crossed the finish line at 6:25 pm, for a total time of 33 hours and 25 minutes and an overal average speed of 15.2 mph for 508 miles with 35,000 feet of climbing. It was a tremendous experience.

Categories: Furnace Creek 508