Tuesday, February 7, 2023
I am at Chiricahua (cheer-a-cow-a) National Monument in southeast Arizona. It is about 35 miles off I-10 from the small town of Willcox. Although in the desert technically, due to its mountainous elevation, the park has a very different type of vegetation. There are several desert-type plants, but there is also forest vegetation one would expect to see in places within the Rocky Mountains or other mountain ranges. One other aspect of these mountains is that they provide an opportunity to build a scenic, longish, mountain road for tourists and nature lovers, for those who simply want a beautiful view and for hikers who want to get out there, into the high country on the available trails. Or, for reasons not yet scientifically or otherwise understood, for those who like to inflict pain on body and soul “to reach the top” … riding a bicycle. So, today I took my little red Salsa Warroad for a test drive on such a road. The road is eight miles long and climbs from about 5150’ to 6870’ at the top: Massai Point. It has a few spots of 10% grade, but most of it is less. I found it to be a challenge and an opportunity. My legs may have been somewhat tired from the hike in Dog Canyon on Saturday and the bike ride I did Sunday. Whatever the case, the ride was hard work, taking about 60 minutes riding time. I did stop along the way to take some quick pictures, so total time was about 65-70 minutes.
The temp at the bottom was 51, while at the top it was 41, and it was a windy day, so, it was not all that warm overall. I felt over-dressed riding up, under-dressed riding down! I really worked up a sweat going up, and it felt like I was freezing coming down. But all in all, well, I knew this going in, didn’t I? Though conditions were not perfect, it was doable, without a doubt. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the opportunity for success and a mental-emotional buzz was high.
I warmed up with ten miles of flat riding first, then I hit the hill. I like hills, riding up them more so than riding down them. Riding down them can be a lot of fun. It feels like you are flying, there’s not much stress on your heart and other muscles. Yea, it can feel spectacular! But, to me, the best part about riding downhill is that there had to have been an uphill in order to ride downhill. And that uphill, that is really what matters. It’s a struggle. It is not easy. It taxes your body, mind, and spirit. It can put you in oxygen debt quickly, making it harder and harder as you go on, up and up, one switchback after another. On the plus side, you have wonderful views off to the side frequently. You know you will reach the top, eventually, and that when you do, it will feel great, maybe even ecstatic, after you catch your breath. And every hill adds to your fitness, and often it adds to things like confidence.
And to put another spin on it, life is a combination of hills, sometimes going uphill, sometimes going down. Perhaps we need to tackle the uphill aspects in life with a positive, “can do it” attitude. We need to realize that we will get to the top, though it will be hard at times. Remember, we can slow down in life's challenges in order to catch our breath, maybe even take a break at times, enjoy the view, then get back on and continue. For every challenge, also keep an eye on the reward of success that waits at the top. Then enjoy that success, before coasting downhill and enjoying the sights and fruits of your hard work.
