Cold Colorado

The past few days have been some of the toughest and most grueling of the entire trip. I keep having to raise my limits on what I am able to handle physically and mentally. At the same time, I’m enjoying these challenges. They may frustrate me, but at the same time they motivate me.

Let’s go back to Fairplay, CO. We were staying overnight in a haunted hotel, with the ghost of Julia navigating the hallways. I can bike 11,000 miles but I can’t handle a ghost. It was really creeping me out. Of course Rex and Steve made sure to have fun with it, and routinely attempted to prank me throughout the night.

Outside the hotel room, the snow kept falling, and falling and falling. Fairplay, which is the city the TV Show South Park is based off of, held to it’s reputation during the snowy episodes. We awoke in the morning to 12 inches of snow. Yes, as in a foot of snow. I had over 80 miles to bike, and I was ready to get right to it. I bundled up, put plastic bags over my feet in an attempt to keep them dry, and was ready to hit the road.

Boy, was the ride an adventure. I think this will go down as one of the most dangerous rides of my life. I will definitely be telling my grandkids of the time I rode by bike over the Rocky Mountains in over a foot of snow. The plows in Colorado, really know how to do their job. They’re no stranger to snow, so they kept the roads pretty clear. The shoulder, where I ride, wasn’t great, but for the most part, I had enough room to ride.

One of the biggest problems existed with visibility. It was blizzard conditions, with snow blowing sideways, and I couldn’t see a single thing. I laughed at a sign that said scenic view pulloff, when all that could be seen was white. I had my taillight flashing, my bright yellow rain jacket, and my reflective panniers to promote my safety. As I came over Kenosha Pass at over 10,000 feet elevation, things started to get real sketchy. The plows had cleared the road once, but the snow continued to fall, and made for a VERY slippery roadway. I was routinely riding my brakes in order to ensure my safety. However, after seeing a few cars in the ditch I was getting awfully worried about a car sliding into me. A few hundred feet down the descent and I saw the B4B trailer and suburban in the ditch. Luckily everyone was okay. However, we knew we would have to call the ride. It was WAY too dangerous to take on the descent. There was no way to know if a car, or semi would slide off the road into me.

The roadways were some of the most dangerous I’ve ever seen. Cars made it seem like they were on slip and slides and would slide into guardrails, and while parked. Oddly enough, with the elevation descent, in a few miles the snow switched to rain, creating much safer road conditions. We warmed up in a restaurant in Bailey. I was cold, wet, and shivering. The guys gave me a ride into Denver, and at that time, I figured I was going to have to skip that portion of the ride.

After I got warmed up, showered, I met up with Jodi from Foundation for Global Scholars who has been diligently following my trip! We headed to a local bar for some trivia, and held our own. Finishing in 5th place out of 20 teams despite only having 3 people on our team. Hi5! There wasn’t any baseball trivia, but I was still able to help out the team.

Throughout the night, it was bugging me. Eating at me. Frustrating me. Whatever you want to call it, that I wouldn’t be able to finish the final miles into Denver. I needed a ride back there, and it seemed like it may not work out. However, after asking multiple people, getting a few no’s Jodi agreed to take me up to Kenosha pass in the AM. Seriously. Jodi rocks. On such short notice she drove me an hour 1/2 out of Denver, just so I could ride back in.

The ride was phenomenal. Stunning. Breathtaking. The snow from the previous day rested upon the mountain tops, yet the roadway was in pristine condition. The once foggy and clouded scenery opened up to majestic mountain tops, and snow covered trees. I pedaled the final 77 miles to Coors Field, and enjoyed the big descent of close to 5,000 feet into Denver. I raced by the historic music venue of Red Rocks Ampitheatre, and even rode by my 3rd Football Field of the ride in Sports Authoirty Field AKA Mile High home of the Denver.
I could have skipped those miles. Calling it to dangerous to ride, and settling at that. However, that’s not me. I don’t quit. That’s not B4B. That’s not what this is all about. I don’t care what’s thrown in front of me. I’ll find a way to get those miles in. I don’t care what it takes. I’m doing this for the kids. Kids that need consistent mentors in their lives. I’d never quit on the kids, so why should I quit on a few miles? The snow may have been one of the toughest challenges that mother nature could have thrown my way. However, I got 30 miles in through a foot of snow atop the Rockies. I’m proud of that, and I’m even more proud that I went back to ride the gorgeous ride down into Denver.

I also made it to Coors Field! Stadium #8! The park is quite gorgeous, however, for the game, the weather didn’t cooperate. Rainy, cloudy, and cold. I couldn’t see much of the great views which the ballpark has to offer. However, instead, I got to do something much better. Before the ballgame we had a mini picnic and clinic with some kids of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado. The kids were a blast, Khalif was an energetic rally starter, while Benjamin brought the power, and Syd was a great utility man. The kids had a blast, and so did we. A lot of them had never been to a Major League Baseball game, so it’s a great moment when you get to see their faces the first time they walk through the gates.

Unfortunately, the Rockies couldn’t produce a win for the game. However, it was a unique ballpark experience. From the purple row of seats in the upper deck which lay at exactly a mile high elevation, to the rooftop bar in the outfield. Coors Field has excellent character. The fans relish their 2007 World Series run and anticipate the trading of Troy Tulowitzki. Their All-Star Shortstop. Rockies may not have the biggest payroll, or the biggest names, but their fans love the game.

A big thanks to Emmra, one of my friends who came out to meet me at the ballpark. It was great to see her! Though, she didn’t know much about the game of baseball, it’s always fun to teach the game to a new fan! Hi5 and hope you had a blast!

Today, I took off unsupported once again. Back to being the Lone Ranger en route to Dallas. It was a blast having the guys ride with me for the Phoenix to Denver leg, but it’s also nice to be back on the road by myself. The serenity of riding amongst the quiet scenery is tough to beat.

I headed to Colorado Springs, which was about a 90 mile ride. I headed to the south side for a hotel that was graciously paid for by Sports Authority! A great store, who reached out to us and wanted to do something to help. Colorado Springs is a cool city, but not a great bike city. The bike trails were mostly washed out, which made it awfully difficult for me to ride. There really aren’t too many bike lanes. However, I was able to safely navigate the city.

Now, I lay in my warm hotel bed, with a pizza by my side eagerly awaiting hopping on the bike again tomorrow. Biking has become my daily lifestyle. My body knows it’s coming, my mind know’s it’s coming, and I feel great. It’s amazing how quickly my body can recover from 10 hours of biking. I’ll do it again tomorrow, as I continue to head to Arlington to see the Texas Rangers. I’ll be staying in very small cities, so I’ll try my best to get a blogpost out when I’m able.

Matt