“You never have the wind with you — either it is against you or you’re having a good day.” Daniel Behrman
- Date: Tuesday, June 28, 2022
- Weather: I don’t want to jinx myself so I’m not going to say anything.
- Starting Point: Craig, CO
- Departure Time: 0610 mst
- Miles: 99
- Moving Time: 4:52
- Total time: 5:27
- Overnight Location: Western Hill RV Park, Rawlins, WY
Reveille came early for the Schwenk Tank crew. We drove to the scene of the meltdown. The place where my body and mind called it quits. I needed a sign that everything was going to be okay. That today was another day and yesterday was just that—yesterday.
I settled into a steady warm-up pace and noticed a shadow in my periphery. It hovered there, matching my pace. Almost as if it was more curious about me than I was of it. Or was it watching over me?
The most majestic bald eagle you’ve ever seen flew from pole to pole, a reassuring companion for several miles. It was the sign I needed. I was soaring.
I paid my debt to the mileage man, rolled through Baggs, WY, and kept on going. Birds aren’t real! I thought so!
What do you get for crossing the Continental Divide twice in one ride? The only one who knew, this granddaddy of a pronghorn antelope, was unimpressed.
Rawlins, WY seems like a lovely city, but I couldn’t tell if it was coming or going. I was going well today, and finishing the ride with dignity and a smile was a nice feeling. Western Hill Campground is nice, too.
About the DIRT Dad Fundo Pledge for Day Twenty—Dean Nordhielmm
Here is what Dean had to say—”I’m Dean Nordhielm, I’m relatively new to DIRT (started in November 2022). In addition to $3 / mile, I would like to donate $5 / person you can get to tell you to “ride on” (you must be riding) and $10 / person you get to sprint against you for at least a minute (plus another $5 if you beat them)”
Sorry, Dean! I have seen a total of 5 cyclists since I set out twenty days ago. I probably couldn’t outsprint any of them. I do admire your spirit and true to the DIRT way of ‘upping the ante.’
Amount Raised to Date—$4,392
Thank you, Dean!
Now off to Alcova, WY!
To support Chris in his effort to raise awareness of The DIRT Dad Fund, the non-profit he created to assist members of the worldwide cycling community, check out this link to learn more.
Find out where you can pledge a donation and subscribe to The ZOMs newsletter to follow along on the journey.
Semi-retired after more than 20 years as the owner and director of a private Orthopedic Physical Therapy practice, Chris now enjoys the freedom to dedicate himself to his passions—virtual cycling and writing.
Driven to give back to the sport that has enriched his life with countless experiences and relationships, he founded a non-profit organization, TheDIRTDadFund. In the summer of 2022, he rode 3,900 miles from San Francisco to his “Gain Cave” on Long Island, New York, raising support for his charity.
His passion for cycling shines through in his writing, which has been featured in prominent publications like Cycling Weekly, Cycling News, road.cc, Zwift Insider, Endurance.biz, and Bicycling. In 2024, he was on-site in Abu Dhabi, covering the first live, in-person UCI Cycling Esports World Championship.
His contributions to cycling esports have not gone unnoticed, with his work cited in multiple research papers exploring this evolving discipline. He sits alongside esteemed esports scientists as a member of the Virtual Sports Research Network and contributes to groundbreaking research exploring the new frontier of virtual physical sport. Chris co-hosts The Virtual Velo Podcast, too.
Great ride! Stay strong, and don’t be too proud to take a few days of rest if that’s what you need. The road isn’t going anywhere.
Thank you 🙏 Dean! It sounds great in theory 😳!