hello flatnessss

Wow, it seems like I was just telling you all about getting to Colorado... oh, I guess I was just telling you that -- well, we are 1.5 days away from leaving Colorado and entering Kansas!!!

Where to begin?

Well, way back in Jeffery City, Wy we adopted 2 other cyclists - Linus and Derek - who we had previously met in Yellowstone NP. Most recently they both hail from Bend, Oregon - where they worked as snowboard instructors.

Linus C. (left) - is 28 years old and is looking to move to Montana or Colorado after the trip -- he is looking for better mountain biking and snowboarding.

Derek B. (right) - is 25 years old and will be moving back to Illinois - where his family is from, to figure out his next move.

Both very cool gents and make good additions to the group.

Speaking of Jeffery City, Wy -- what a crazy place - basically abandoned - it was a uranium mining town which fizzled out in the mid-80's. Huge barrack style housing - bowling alley - gas stations - churches --- all deserted. There was a single cafe/bar/gas station -- run by a single family -- the woman at there claims that there are 50 residents in town and another 100 in the outskirts. We pitched our tents/hammocks at the local Lions Club pavilion/meeting hall --- which topped off the Michael Crichton imagery with an old newspaper on a desk with some guy's glasses sitting next to it -- and a six pack of Pepsi-COLA! - the paper was dated 1985.

So, I've already mentioned how windy Wyoming was -- probably still is -- so I won't go into that again.

We had a rest day in Rawlins, Wy - which didn't prove to be an interesting town at all -- most of us (except Bryan) went to see Shrek the Third (highly recommend - it was very funny - especially puss-n-boots) and some of then bowled a game or two.

off to Colorado - Walden and then Kremmling

In Kremmling I had the opportunity to meet up with my good friend from massage school - Tara. She and here fiance came down from Grand Lake (about 30-45 min) for dinner. It was great to see her - the last time we'd seen each other was maybe 2003-ish. -- again, I feel foolish - no pictures :(

From Kremmling it was off to Breckenridge - where we stayed in a lovely hostel.

It was a sad morning at the hostel, because Bryan decided to leave our group and stick around in Colorado - he has friends in Colorado Springs and Durrango -- and plans to go to the Bluegrass Festival in Teluride. It's sad to see him go -- but it's something he has been looking forward to for a long time. (unfortunately Bryan has been under the weather since Rawlins, Wy and also needed another rest day in Breck - but what a great town to do that in!)

Group pic before Bryan takes off.

After Breck (9600 ft according to Wikipedia) we had the big climb up Hoosier Pass - 11,500+ ft elevation! That was our last crossing of the Continental Divide -- and it's all down hill from there... right? We were scheduled to stay at a small town called Guffy, but Karli and I were feeling good and decided to push out a century ride (100 miles) -- all the way to Canon City. We treated ourselves to a hotel room (there wasn't any camping) -- which was probably good, because the city was a bit ghetto and the people were rude.

Off to Pueblo, Co -- where we stayed at the city park - behind a barbed wire fence in the maintenance compound -- also a scary/ghetto city. I was later informed that it is considered the armpit of Colorado -- and unfortunately we had a rest day here.

But to spruce up the experience - Ashley and Geoff came down from Manitou Springs and Brian came down from Denver -- sweet!! We chilled out in the park - had some Wendy's - and thought long and hard as to whether we were going to play horseshoes or not --- not. Ash and Geoff had just moved into a new flat the day before and took off early so they could unpack a bit and prepare for Monday. Brian, having just quit his job of 8-ish years got a room and spent the night - leaving Monday am. AGAIN -- no pictures of Ash and Geoff on my camera --- but Ash got at least one :) --- here is one of Brian and I... or, wait - who is that with Brian????

Today we rode 50 miles to Ordway, Co - and are staying at a Gillian's - a nice woman from New Zealand who takes in cyclists -- gives us a place to sleep - do our laundry - and take showers. Sweeeet!

pics:
Kev and Nix topping Hoosier Pass

Karli and I in Canon City after kicking Hossier Pass's ass and riding 100 miles!

South Park Cows Rule!!!

Just made it into Colorado today -- finally --- Wyndoming was driving me crazy. Karli and I are currently at the library in Walden, CO (in North Park) and waiting for the rest of the crew to see if they want to stay here or maybe go another 25 miles --- or maybe Karli and I will just split off and make our own group :)

We have been really lucky with the weather overall on the trip, but woke up today to the pitter patter of rain drops on our tent (1st time) -- not the greatest sound when you have to get up and pee. Luckily it was a light rain and kind of fizzled out - now it's just over cast with a little spit here and there. So much better than the crazy winds we've been having in Wyoming.

I think some of you have been slacking on your Blue Skies vibes -- let's keep them coming people!

In the immortal words of Bryan --- "Mmmm, water"

Peace and Happiness to all

NIX NIX NIX

this post is for all of Nix's peeps

is it Sporty Spice or Nix riding (check out the flag -- she's becoming a Yank)
the group at our first crossing of the Contential Divide
sightseeing in Yellowstone NP
sightseeing in Grand Teton NP
Nix striking a pose
after a long day of sightseeing
Nix and I in Wyoming before a tough day of headwinds

Yellerstone pics

Karli racing the buffalo
one of many continental divide crossings
the group at Fire Hole Canyon in Yellowstone
holy shit Karli has rabbit ears

one guesses who this is...

why is it that the descent is never as long as the assent

Well, it's been a long time since I've done a post about how the trip is going -- GREAT - that's how it's going! I can say that now that I'm in the library out of the freaking freezing ass rain. Yeppers - today was the worst weather day of the trip -- not bad considering tomorrow will be our 1 month anniversary of the first day of the tour!

Our current location is Dubois, Wyoming -- however, I would like to backtrack a bit to catch you up since my blogging has mostly been rider profiles and my wicked wreck.

Mitchell, Oregon -- where we were roughing it by watching a movie on the laptop - is also where we ran into another cyclist named Clive - who happens to be from England. Clive is riding the TransAm also, but is packing light and stays in B&Bs or Motels -- with less weight (no tent, etc.) he gets in much longer days than we do. Very nice chap - I only spoke to him briefly in Mitchell.

to Baker, Oregon -- when Bryan, Karli and I rode our 90 miler for an extra rest day. We went out for a bite to eat and a drink -- we were sitting at our table and who walks in, but Clive -- later to be accompanied by two ladies whom he had met earlier at a coffee shop -- one being Christine (see post below).

to Halfway, Or -- a scheduled rest day

to Cambridge, Idaho (Council, Id) -- the group officially splits!!!

In Mitchell, the "speedys" (Karli, Bryan and myself) wanted to continue - but decided to stay with the group and push out the longer day to Baker ahead of the group. This made the group uneasy and we had a group meeting. The final decision of the group was to let the speedys go ahead and have a rest day and then stick to Ken's schedule until Missoula -- with the understanding that we will have to make better progress than Ken's schedule to meet deadlines for some of the riders -- especially Kevin and Nicola, considering their visa's expire in 90 days.

Well, the ride to Cambridge was way easier than expected and it was only 22 more miles to Council -- and by making this advance to Council we would make it to Missoula 1 day ahead of schedule.

Problem -- this was not discussed before leaving that morning -- and the riders were spread out -- thus leaving the decision up to the few riders that made it to Cambridge early --- Karli, Kev, Nix, Michael and myself. So, the decision was made to do the extra miles to advance to group and hopefully get extra days to spend in Yellowstone -- however, Michael wasn't keen on the idea and decided to stay and wait for Ken, Bryan and Jay. We (the advancing party) were hoping that they would decide to do the extra miles -- but alas, they were against it.

THE SPLIT -- so the split happened - which was inevitable, but unfortunately very sudden and I believe that those left behind were upset that official goodbyes were not made.

Council to Riggins, Id (New Meadows, Id) -- the group (formerly known as the advancing group) was to head to Riggins, Id - at this point Bryan had kicked it in gear and caught up with us. Unfortunately this is where I had my spill and ended up staying in New Meadows. Since I was detained, I met Ken and Michael as they passed through - stopping at the bike shop and for a bite to eat ---- not too much eye contact and/or words -- but hello's and goodbye's were said. Jay rolled in later that evening and we had a quality talk and he seemed to understand - but was disappointed to think he might not see the others again - or at least say goodbye.

to Missoula -- I caught the bus from New Meadows to Missoula - where I stayed with my buddy Ben and his family. Ben and I did time together in Vernal, Ut -- for Steve Phillips at the Forest Service -- that was about 8 ish years ago that I saw Ben last - and now he's married and has 4 kids -- and one of them is 7! I still picture Ben as the little punk kid from Arkansas that I had to buy beer for - 4 kids!! Wowzers Ben.

I must say his kids are absolutely adorable - and the older two Alya (7) and Iris (almost 6) are polite and intelligent ---- nice work Diana -- and the two youngsters are both 2 ish Ethan and Olivia (twins) - very cute, but not really talkers. I feel like a total ass for not taking a single picture of Ben and his family --- sorry guys :( and thanks again for letting me chill with you.

I missed 265 miles by taking the bus to Missoula -- so, I decided to meet the group as they rode in to town -- I caught up with them about 30 miles outside of Missoula and rode back with them into town. I decided to stay with them - since I missed them dearly -- and so we could all roll out together.

Missoula, Mt to Sula, Mt -- fairly easy ride -- 80 miles

to Jackson, Mt -- big pass day, but nothing to fear -- these passes keep getting easier and easier! Had a blowout -- sounded like a gunshot -- I'm not sure what happened, but I was at a complete stop when it happened -- luckily. That brings my tally to --- 3 flats - 1 new tire (had a hole in the sidewall) - and replacing the whole front end from the wreck --- the funny thing is, I read all kinds of online journals and most of them said they didn't even get a flat!

On our way to Jackson - we stopped in Wisdom, Mt to have lunch -- and guess who pops up? Come on, guess... Clive. We knew we would see him again -- he rode to Missoula and flew back to New York for a few days and then back -- which put him close to our schedule - crazy. He was actually staying in Jackson and doing a short ride to Dillon, Mt the next day -- we were going past Dillon to Twin Bridges.

to Twin Bridges -- stopped in Dillon for the library and some food. Karli went ahead to Twin Bridges and Bryan stayed at the coffee shop and used their wi-fi to do some work. Kev, Nix and I started to head out of town and who do we see? Come on, guess... Clive. Coming out of the movie theater right on the edge of town -- he had just made arrangements to get a Pizza Hut pizza and take it into the movie while he watched. We stopped to chat and he talks us into watching it with him -- Pirates of the Caribean --- 4 o'clock show - 3 hour movie -- camp was 28 miles away (3 hours without a headwind) --- getting us there around 10pm. Suckers! We totally had a headwind and got in closer to 11pm -- fortunately Montana gets lots of light this time of the year and it was still dusk-ish when we rolled into camp.

to Cameron -- nice big pass coming out of Virginia City -- descending into Ennis for lunch -- where you'll never guess who we ran into... that's right, Clive.

to West Yellowstone -- we had two scheduled rest days here in order to see Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Once in town we went out for dinner and drinks and guess who walked into the bar? Come on, guess... Clive. I'm sure it's not as funny for you - the reader -- because all these run-ins were totally random and unscheduled -- very bizzar from our perspective -- but try and be in awe with me.

We pitched out tents in an RV park and rented a car for 2 days. The first day we went to Yellowstone and saw Old Faithful and many other sites in the park - geysers, buffalo, waterfalls, etc. The second day we drove down to Grand Teton and checked out the mountain views and then made our way down to Jackson Hole -- were I broke a 5 day vegan experiment to have 2 Billy's burgers.

to Colter Bay Village (in Grand Teton NP) -- 90 mile day! Just before leaving Yellowstone NP -- Karli, Bryan and I stopped at Moose Falls to do a little cliff jumping -- it was surprisingly warm. Thanks Jaimey!

to Dubois -- today's ride was a big one -- 7% grade for almost 17 miles -- over those miles we climbed 3000 feet -- it was the 2nd highest pass on the whole trip --- the highest is Hoosier in Colorado --- we're coming for you baby!! It was overcast for the 1st part of the day and encountered rain and sleet on the descent.

Well, I've got to go -- this laptop is dying - 4% battery -- I'll post pictures later.

coolest chick in Baker City - ever!

Christine O.

My best friend in Baker City, Oregon -- not only did this hot little number (and her roomie - who I didn't really get a chance to chat with) let all of us camp in her back yard - use her shower - her washer/dryer - share her beers --- she's also a total Nacho Libre fanatic! - pushing her way up my rad scale.

Christine picked us up at a bar after meeting a fellow TransAm cycler - Clive, who I have yet to blog about.

She is 29 years old and for around 7 years worked her dream job as a wildland firefighter until she busted her leg on the job -- a wicked break just like the guy on Touching the Void -- ouch! Now she is an aspiring radiologist/veterinarian - don't tell anyone, but I think she practices on her cat. She currently works for a vet - as well as a cool little coffee shop - actually it's the largest coffee shop I've ever seen. If I were to ever classify anyone as sassy -- it's for sure this chica.