Day 18: Rolling On Into Colorado

We got an early start this morning, pushing off from the hotel at 7:30. Shane, not surprisingly, decided not to join us for the day and it was great to not have another fresh face in the group! The day's route called for 48 miles of mostly uphill riding with maybe 3,000 feet of gained elevation. 25 miles in we reached an overpass. It was nice. The van met us there, we posed for some pictures with the Colorado River and headed on out.

Eight miles later we paused to take in the scenery and consider our mission. Shane stayed in the van, while we riders lamented our decision not to eat, fell into the Colorado, and took a half hour nap. When we finally got up we rode on and finished the last 25 miles or so. Ten miles later we were ten miles closer to our destination. The hills were green, but rolled all the way into Edwards (unfortunately, we ended on the uphill!).

We arrived in Edwards, CO around 12:30. It's a semi-large town, but is loaded with charm. The buildings are snowcapped and the people are friendly, especially our host Lulu Garton and her daughter Bailey. Additionally, the river that runs parallel to the town makes for a great outdoors area. The team gladly sat in the comfort of the couches of our second Garton host for a half hour or so. The conversation was enjoyable but we managed to find some topics of mutual interest that rose slightly out of the murky water of our thoughts, allowing us to all enjoy the beautiful July sun.



We just returned from a wonderful dinner, courtesy of our hosts and are enjoying a quiet evening in our amazing home, fit for the critics of Log Home Design Ideas Magazine (See 1998) that we are staying in. Tomorrow we climb 3000 feet up over Vail Pass then descend into Keystone. It's about 50 more miles and the grade is gradual, but we are going to sleep in a bit and see the 2nd of July sun that I’m told rises in the east and sets in the west.


I suppose this is officially the middle of the Rocky Mountains. Since the beginning of the trip people have been wishing us luck on the Rockies, but frankly (I could possibly eat these words) I'm not that intimidated. We just spent the past 2.5 weeks in the mountains; in Nevada it was not uncommon to do hundreds of flat miles in a day. So even though you are wondering why this is clearly plagiarized writing from last year, I think it should be very understandable that we are simply at a loss for time. Not easy, mind you, but not devastatingly difficult. Check back in a week to see if the sun's position holds true!



Today's Trivia Question: 100% of the funds raised through Face AIDS are matched by private donors and thrown behind the work of what organization? (Hint: Paul Farmer founded this organization while still a medical student). (10 points)