We love, love, love friendly construction workers. They looked out for our safety in 80+ degree heat, and wished us well on the ride, both today and to California. Those we have met in Meeker have been very friendly as well, and those interactions just made everyone’s day that much better. Friendliness is a value all should strive for and impart on those who need it most. It may not be in our rider contract or our route instructions, but we aim to do this wherever we go and it makes talking to those we meet along the way, well, that much better.
Ride Overview
Mileage: 42.7
Elevation: +2804’/-2004’
General Direction: Make way to northbound state highway 13, ride for 40.4 miles, when in Meeker turn left on 3rd, right on Garfield, left on Sulphur Creek Rd., and turn into the stayover.
Points of Interest: Rocky Mountains
Tales of the Trail
After an extra hour of sleeping in, the team arose for our oatmeal and morning circle as per usual. It would be a quick ride up the only road connecting our start and end: state highway 13. This calming and aesthetically mountained road may have been a little rough, but we were descending for the second half which made for a speedy trip, save for one thing: construction. A two mile stretch of the road late into our climb portion was bustling with trucks and steamrollers, but a few helpful flaggers guided us through this section of old, bumpy road when it was safe to do so. Many riders experienced flats today due to debris, some of which happened in another one of these construction zones near the end of the route. We made it into town with the entire afternoon to spare.
The Church at Meeker was welcoming, and we were able to shower at the Meeker Recreation Center across the street. Afterwards, we went to the delicious and filling Red Rooster Sandwich Shop for some lunch, and returned to the church for some downtime. Tomorrow will be a true test: 112 miles to Vernal, Utah, the longest official ride of the summer.
Cyclist’s Corner
Today’s Rider: Olivia Ross
How are you today? I am good. We just had a good dinner and I’m feeling pretty good!
In your opinion, what makes a good I4K teammate? I think that the most important thing for me is getting to know everybody on the team. I feel like when we are all comfortable with each other, it makes a for good team dynamic. I also think being a cheerleader for everyone on the team is great, and it helps me to know that we have each other’s backs on and off the bike.
Where was the best ice cream you’ve had so far? I don’t remember where it was, probably Boulder, but I got raspberry chocolate chip ice cream!
How have you improved in handling the bike during the ride? I would say before the ride I was really uncomfortable with climbing and taking my hands off the handlebars. Now, I feel like those are my two strongest things. I thought they would be things I would have to continue to work at, but it’s turned out to be kind of the opposite.
If you could snapshot one favorite or at least special sight, place, or moment in your mind that you’ve experienced on the bike, what would it be, where was it, and on what ride day? I would say the day we rode out of Kankakee was very emotional for me. That’s where my nana and papa lived, and we actually biked past a pizza place we used to go to all the time on the way out. It was emotional and brought back a lot of memories for me. My aunt visited the day before and we talked about my nana so that was very special as well.
In ten words or less, how will you remember this ride when we complete it? An eye-opener and a reality check.
Please visit the rider profiles page on the website to learn more about this year’s riders! :)
~Dictionary of I4K~
Rider Contract: A set of rules and regulations that riders are expected to follow as an I4K rider and teammate. Signed upon offer of a place on the team.
