Ride the Rockies

"a long time ago"

25 years 

June 29th-July 4th

when i was 32

1986 RIDE THE ROCKIES – 305 MILES

Grand Junction to Glenwood Springs – 90 miles

Glenwood Springs to Aspen – 42 miles

Aspen to Leadville – 59 miles, Independence Pass – 12,095 feet

Leadville to Frisco – 40 miles, Fremont Pass – 11,318 feet

Frisco to Idaho Springs – 37 miles, Loveland Pass – 11,992 feet

Idaho Springs to Denver – 37 miles

i rode the Rockies

with 1500 others

in six days

on a ten speed bicycle

crossing the continental divide three times

this ride was sponsored by THE DENVER POST

first year ever

a sag wagon hauled our gear from stop to stop

each night pitching a tent

pooped

one night we slept in a school gym

always rising before the sun

first day riding 90 miles

some wanted to make it 100

kept riding around town

not me

90 was plenty

 i flew down the mountains

high high speeds

crouching low

leaning into the turns

flying

smiling

it rained

it poured

i went down on the railroad tracks

tire hitting the ruts weird

the rain hid my tears

and embarrassment 

some days were windy

the sun beat hot

then drafting behind an older gentleman

training meant early morning rides

no later than five-thirty

most days of the week

conditioning hands, shoulders, and seat

there was road rash

a result from clumsy spills

drafting gone wrong

not releasing feet from the clips

i over trained

sore knees

a cough

excited to ride

but subpar 

i had six children at home

the youngest still a baby

david boy

daddy brought the children mid-trip

it was davey's birthday

we put a candle on a cupcake

sang to our baby turning one

that little baby reached for the candle

getting burned

he cried.

i felt stupid.

and sad.

katie and alison were super curious

naked women

showering together

modesty tossed out the window

except for me

only the first riders to arrive

get hot water

soon that "a long time ago" baby

will be a daddy

his son coming in July

25 years 

after

RIDING THE ROCKIES

continually blessed

riding buddies...sherrie spencer, ron vanwagonen, wayne carwin

...