We spent an awesome rest day in Boulder for the Fourth. We met up with the Portland team heading out of Denver and mixed riding groups to get to know each other. I rode with Ami, Zach, and Yoshi alongside Ethan and Peter from San Fran. The world-famous Emma Moody joined us for the day too! It was nice to finally feel like we were within reach of the Rockies.
Boulder is by far my favorite town thus far on the trip, and I’m pretty sure all 29 of us are currently planning to move their immediately after the ride. I’ll never be able to adequately describe the atmosphere in the city – something better left to my more creatively gifted friends (Jess, get on that – we have a business to open up here). Our host was spectacular – they served us a delicious dinner and then woke up the morning of the 6th to serve us a huge breakfast of bacon, eggs, and french toast! I’m really not sure why we left Boulder…I think we should just stay there for a few weeks and extend our trip a bit. Grad school is overrated anyway.
We rode to Estes Park today and finally entered the foothills of the Rockies. The scenery was amazing, and I’m getting more and more excited for our ride up Trail Ridge Road tomorrow. 14 straight miles of climbing to the peak – this is going to be amazing. I’ve been told by several 4K alums and local riders that tomorrow will be the most scenic day of our entire trip. Brace yourself for ton of pictures from the top.
I need to correct a statement from my previous blog post about Kansas – Although we didn’t get along with the landscape very well, we certainly met some of the nicest people while passing through their state. All of our hosts were incredibly kind to us and fed us some of the best meals we’ve had the entire trip. I need to send a special thank you to Kelci Lowmaster and her family for receiving and dropping packages to us TWICE (they chased us down on our route the following day to deliver a few straggling packages). I stand by my position that corn fields and wheat fields make for exceptionally boring landscape, but the people of Kansas are some of the most generous I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting.
Big day tomorrow – 95 miles and our biggest climb yet. Wish us luck!
Cycle, Inspire, Unite
LOL – I think the week you all spent fighting the winds and headwinds in Kansas would weaken anyone but you are stronger for it. You inspired those Kansans more than you will ever know. Stay strong — and it really is downhill from there!!!!
Aww it was truly a blessing & honor to be such a small part
We are still following you all (virtually now). Something my girls are still talking about. Thank you all for what you are doing!!!
Somehow this post was placed on the Team Bolder blogs. Whoops!!!!! Glad I stumbled upon it.Hope the climb today was wonderful!
We love to read yours and your team’s blogs and to hear about all the wonderful families you are meeting as you travel across the country. Love you lots! Ride safe.
Hey Kev, By the time you read this you will have completed your ride over Trail Ridge Road in the Rocky Mountain National Park, it is the highest paved road in the entire USA. I hope there was some snow left for you and your team to throw around, like you did with family back 1997. Enjoy the sights, embrace the people, and ride safe.
Don’t worry, Kbar. I’m on it! Cheer for the shout-out and miss you like crazy friend! See you soon in San Francisco!