Kremmling, CO! - Finally have internet!

Sorry about the few days of not updating! Today I finally have internet access thanks to a local public library! The sad thing is that I don't have cell phone signal.. So I guess its a trade off.

Anyway.. We've had some amazing epic days.. So I'll get onto talking about that because I only have 20 minutes.

We had a day off and a build day in Denver. Denver was an amazing place to ride around and see downtown. They had bike paths that ran everywhere. I don't call it much of a day off for me because I spent the 2 days there biking 70 miles. Laura and I rode to Cherry Creek Reservoir and swam.. but other than that the group just checked out downtown Denver.

After Denver we had a 50 mile ride to Boulder. We got up early and had a quick ride to Boulder. It was just rolling hills and at the top of each hill you could see the mountains getting closer. I rode with Dave that day. We were riding in downtown Boulder talking with our wheels slightly overlapping when a car pulled up next to us and yelled "What the F, ride single file!" As the guy yelled that at us, he was not paying attention to the road and slammed into the car in front of him. Which caused that car to slam into the car in front of it. It was a crazy moment.. but I really think that karma has shown it's work here. We were riding single file, I just didn't want to run into Dave's wheel.. but he shouldn't have yelled at us. We're just cyclists on the road.. it's not hard to pass us. It was just unfortunate for him that his anger made him have an accident. Anyway.. in Boulder I got to see Sarah Ballew! We walked around Boulder together and she gave me a tour of the town. It made me wish our day off would've been in Boulder so we all could've gone hiking or something outdoorsy.

The next day we rode from Boulder to Estes Park! This was our first day to actually enter the mountains. As we rode closer to the mountains, I was so excited that I couldn't slow down! I rode an average of 20 until I reached the mountains. Once we were in the mountains, the first 7 miles had a nice grade that I could still ride 10-13 mph, but it quickly got steeper! Dave and I rode up going very slowly at around 6 mph as we climbed another 5 miles. It was very steep and hard to breathe because of the altitude. The scenery made up for the torture we put ourselves through! Once we made it to the top of the road, we connected with CO-7 or Peak to Peak Highway and had an amazing descent that lasted probably 5 miles. It was gorgeous watching around each turn as more of the Rockies unfolded in front of us! We had a few short climbs and descents into lunch.. but it was awesome to see almost everyone made it to lunch at the same time. Our group is getting so solid that not even the mountain passes spread us out too much! I'm really proud of everyone! After lunch, it was mainly uphill until we reached a long descent. This descent was the best of the trip so far. We were riding with all the trees and high rock walls around us when all of a sudden there was a break in the mountains and we looked out and could see all of Estes Park surrounded by the mountains. It was an amazing descent! It was so beautiful and it made it so much better that I didn't have to pedal for about 7 miles! I flew down it at around 40! It was great.

I could probably talk all day about that descent, but I still have other things to say in 6 minutes! Moving on!

After Estes Park we rode to Grand Lake, CO. That was the day we rode on Trail Ridge Road, which I believe is the highest elevation highway in the U.S. (You might check Wiki on it's importance!) I was riding out in the morning getting so excited about Rocky Mountain Natl Park that I was on an adrenaline high. We rode into the park when I caught up with Laura. I decided to hang with Laura so neither of us would have to do the climbing alone, because we had a 25 mile climb ahead of us. We caught Trail Ridge Road and started slowly climbing. Around each switchback and turn we got to see more beautiful mountains and scenery. I can't describe it all in words. We rode 4-6 mph all the way up to 12,100 feet.. but I wish I could've gone slower to take in each moment of the scenery. We stopped and took tons of pictures, which one of these days I'll upload again! We hit lunch at around mile 26, where we were informed of a Bike and Build dance party at the Information Center at the top. We coasted downhill into the info center where all the riders in the front had waited for everyone to show up. It was great coming around the turn into the Visitor Center and seeing everyone yelling, cheering, and being so excited about me making to the top. It was great. I stood with them and cheered the last few riders in that we behind me. The van pulled up right next to where all 31 of our riders stood and Barb cranked the music in the van and we all danced, hugged, and had fun. It was one of the best moments so far on the trip. It was awesome to see the group all at the top of a huge climb dancing and cheering. (I'm pretty sure there are videos of it.. If I find one, I'll link to it!) After the dance party, we all took the descent. We probably descended 5000 feet in a matter of 30 minutes. It was awesome to fly down the other side of the park. On the way down, we stopped at the Continental Divide sign and took pictures. We talked with people about our cause and a couple on a motorcycle followed me from the stop down the rest of the descent. When I was stopped at one point for construction on the road, we were chatting about how amazing the scenery was.. and they asked what wildlife I had seen so far. I was telling them about all of the Elk that we saw on the way up and how I'd never seen a moose before and I was really hoping to see one. It was finally our turn to go through the construction and I rode the rest of the descent in front of the couple on the motorcycle. They finally passed me on a slight uphill because I was no longer going the speed limit.. and we both waved as we parted. A little while later, I was riding downhill again and the couple was coming towards me on their motorcycle. They were pointing towards a little parking area and yelling, "Moose!" I pulled off into the parking area and ran towards the field with my camera. There were 2 moose, a baby moose, and a ton of elk! I got to see my first moose! There were probably 15 cyclists behind me.. So I grabbed my chalk and chalked on the road, "Hey B+B! Moose!" and an arrow pointing into the parking lot. A bunch more people all pulled up and saw it as well. The rest of the ride was great too. Laura and I finished the day together and it was such an accomplishment to say we climbed up that high! All 31 of us finished the ride! I'm so proud of everyone! Another note about Trail Ridge Road.. This was the first time we were riding on the road that cars honked or yelled at us with a thumbs up out the window. We received so much support that it was a real boost on the way up to be cheered on by random people! It was great! Sorry.. I can talk all day about these things!

Now, finally onto today! We rode from Grand Lake to Kremmling, CO. It was only a 40 mile day and it was mostly downhill. The scenery was awesome, but BG and I flew by it. We averaged 21.5 mph into a small town that had a diner. We ate there for about an hour and then rode on into Kremmling through a beautiful canyon. We stopped at a bakery when we got in and ate donuts and drank coffee. We got in about 11:00, so I have all day to do nothing.. which is really nice. I bet we'll find something to do!

Anyway.. Tomorrow we are riding into Steamboat Springs and it should be about a 50 mile day. I know we have some climbing, but it won't really matter because tomorrow is also one of the best days of the year.. My birthday!! Luckily tomorrow night we are all able to go out and celebrate because we have a build day on the 4th! For all of those who sent me birthday cards and presents to the mail drop, Thank you so much!!! I really love getting mail and it's nice to know that people are reading my blog, even when I can't update it that often!

That pretty much sums up the last week for you guys. I can't believe we only have 4 more nights in CO. It's crazy how fast this trip is flying by. Less than 4 weeks left! I wish it could slow down!

Sorry about the novel, but thanks for reading! Will update again when internet is available!
Have a good 4th of July!