Day 45: Friendly Folks, Waning Colorado. Rifle to Meeker

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.

Day 44: To Race the Rapids. Eagle to Rifle

Optimal is a good word, a word meaning “good”, and a good word to describe the ride today. A constant descent over 58 miles, slanted sedimentary canyon walls, clear skies, a helicopter, dipping hands in the powerful Colorado River, trees lining the ridges towering a thousand or two feet up, the works.

Ride Overview

Mileage: 58.5

Elevation: +1689’/-2761’

General Direction: Roll onto U.S. 6 and follow for 7.1 miles, from there begin the Glenwood Canyon Recreation Trail in Gypsum, exit the trail onto Linden St. at Glenwood Springs, and at mile 34.2, merge onto I-70 West for five miles, take the exit at Chacra and follow U.S. 6 to Rifle, turn right onto Hospital Hill Road at mile 57.5, and take a handful of local streets to reach the stayover.

Points of Interest: Colorado River, Glenwood Canyon, Glenwood Canyon Recreation Trail, Rocky Mountains

Tales of the Trail

Our new U.S. 34 at this point, U.S. 6, the same road we used to climb over the Divide, continued to be our home for the day, save for one of the most amazing and ludicrously gorgeous trails we will ride this summer: the weaving Glenwood Canyon Recreation Trail. For over 20 miles, this path took us along the edge of the Colorado River and threaded through the concrete megastructure of the I-70 freeway. Another complimentary mashup between the natural and the manmade, it allowed us to enjoy the river itself, sometimes thrashing powerfully and sometimes seemingly still (sometimes both of these right near each other), and the brilliant and colorful canyon walls. “Wow”s and “woah”s could be heard from all ride groups for the duration of this trail. Not even a series of gates prevented us from cycling on it (due to high water that wasn’t there . . .), and in one case we even had to hand our bikes around the edge of a gate over the riverbank twenty feet below and scoot on our stomachs under or climb over the gate itself. That moment in particular made for an epic photo-op and diversion down a concrete boat ramp to the bank, and allowed riders to dip their hands (and heads) into the river.

Nabeel and Jaylen with Glenwood Canyon.

Sam R, Hanna, Kathryn, and Jean zip between the pylons.

Quick stop for a close up look at the Colorado.

Getting through the gate pt. 1.

Getting through the gate pt. 2.

Our lunch stop was at an Arby’s just before one of the very rare interstate segments of the ride due to no other way to cross that section of canyon. This five mile stretch on I-70, despite our nervousness (it was completely optional, those who didn’t ride were shuttled), ended up being mostly calm, save for a lot of debris in the shoulder. From there, things began to heat up and wind roared between the mountainsides against us as we finished out the day on a busy U.S. 6. A final climb took us into Rifle and to our stayover at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Nabeel, Emily, and Jon approaching Glenwood Springs.

Another day, another flat.

Gas station kitty!

Hanna, our master chef, made a scrumptious dinner of sweet and sour spare ribs and rice, a recipe from cooking with her grandfather who inspired her to cook and to whom we dedicated the ride today. Afterward, we took the van to Moma’s Artisanal Ice Cream which combined southeast Asian rolled ice cream with Latin American flavor; truly an epic treat. Tomorrow will take us a hopefully swift 42 miles to reach our last stayover in Colorado: Meeker.

Our chef team at work.

The result.

(More) ice cream at Moma’s.

Cyclist’s Corner

Today’s Rider: Jaylen Patel

How are you today? Feeling great! Entering Week 6 of the trip, still feeling optimistic, motivated, and excited for this next segment of exploring the mountains, national parks, and a few states I haven't visited. Today was one of my favorite days of the ride. We got to explore the Glenwood Canyon Recreational Trail under I-70 and along the Colorado River. It was beautiful to see the greenery of the White River National Forest, the red rocks of the canyon, ride along I-70 for a brief stretch, and even our quick and creative solution to bypassing a closed gate on the bike path.

In your opinion, what makes a good I4K teammate? Someone who is patient, can compartmentalize the tough experiences, assumes responsibility even when no one is looking or asks them to, and who helps others uncover the best versions of themselves on and off the ride. This can be accomplished by riding with different people each day, sitting next to someone different at dinner, cracking a joke while ascending a mountain, showing someone how to make a creative PB&J, helping make dinner, or even asking someone how their day was before falling asleep in our sleeping bag. The everyday, un-glamorized moments that have the most vivid impact on how one contributes to the team and treats others.

I would say my main impact on this team has been sharing our story with stayover hosts, local restaurants and community centers, individuals we meet on the road whether at a coffee shop or gas station, and helping our team recognize that everyone on it has a story to tell about why they are doing this that’s worth listening to, and that there is something to learn from everybody.

Where was the best ice cream you’ve had so far? Yuma, Colorado. Salted caramel Oreo half pint shared with JB and Edward at Farmhouse Market. Beef, it’s what’s for dinner.

How have you improved in handling the bike during the ride? Coming into the ride, I wouldn’t have considered myself the most experienced rider but I’m also not completely new to exploring towns and cities by bike. The most I had ever ridden before I4K was from Schaumburg to the lake, which was 45 miles, and the longest before the ride began was one of the training rides at around 80. Week 1 was certainly going to be a huge wake-up call in terms of meeting expectations and fulfilling what I had set out to do and promised others. The way I keep myself going every day is by stretching daily, keeping up with dietary supplements and vitamins (turmeric-protein-collagen shake), avoiding late night snacking, digital detox, journaling every day, calling friends and family, and most importantly, clearing and reseting my mind to only focus on the day in front of me rather than a trip that still has 2000 miles left. The physical parts are certainly challenging, but it is a mental battle you overcome each day. If I can enjoy the little things along the route with the team, and still feel motivated each day after the recovery routine, then that’s how I know I’ve improved as a cyclist and done what two months ago I would have considered almost impossible. In order to do unprecedented things on the bike, you must do unprecedented things to keep your mind balanced, energized, and focused.

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? Loveland Pass on our ride from Idaho Springs to Frisco. The first thing that caught my mind was the vast cycling community from everywhere between Boulder, Denver, and the ski towns. All three are almost all connected by bike infrastructure that goes around, through, and on top of mountains, and I think it’s really amazing that on a Saturday morning at 6 AM you can see cyclists in every single town you pass through whether doing it for a race, leisure, or for a cause. Secondly, we were ascending to the highest elevation point of the ride, and it was a tremendous feat for the entire team to have all the training rides pay off, fundraising pay off, and to take something that seemed so difficult in a short amount of time ago and finally be able to celebrate that as a team in that moment. We were then able to enjoy a lengthy and speedy descent down from the mountain into the first few ski towns, followed by a view overlooking the beautiful landscape surrounding our next city.

In ten words or less, how will you remember this ride when we complete it? A snapshot of the triumphs and challenges across the U.S.

Please visit the rider profiles page on the website to learn more about this year’s riders! :)

<3

Day 43: Lifting the Vail. Frisco to Eagle

As I am writing this, there is a separate party at the local bike shop going on in the parking lot, Jon and Emily are playing guitars, Edward is trying to convince Nabeel to get a Costco membership, and folks are talking, eating dinner, and about to head out for, yes, more ice cream. I often write from the perspective that this is an epic journey and we are going to all these cool places for such a great cause, all of which we are, but I think I speak for everyone when I say we have a lot of laughs. We really can’t go five minutes without a burst of laughter or joke being made, and it helps us to bond as well as get through the physical challenge of this ride. I’m going to focus a bit more on these moments when I can, because they really make up so much of this experience for us. Now, as I continue to write this, we’re singing karaoke in the church’s mini backyard, just having a good time.

Ride Overview

Mileage: 61.7

Elevation: +2453’/-4971’

General Direction: Follow CR 9 north for 2.2 miles, then turn left onto the Blue River Bikeway and follow it and the Tenmile Bike Path to the town of Copper Mountain, at mile 11.9 turn onto the Ten Mile Canyon National Recreation Trail, at mile 29 turn left onto the I-70 frontage road and at 37.5 turn onto westbound U.S. 6, follow this road to the town of Eagle and the stayover.

Points of Interest: Blue River Bikeway, Tenmile Bike Path, Ten Mile Canyon National Recreation Trail, Tenmile Creek, Gore Creek, Black Lake, Rocky Mountains: Tenmile Peak, Uneva Peak, Battle Mountain, Vail Mountain, plenty of others

Tales of the Trail

It’s pretty difficult to describe just how beautiful this ride was. Every element came together to make our ride just exquisite. Eighteen miles of climbing followed by descents for the rest gave us a solid objective and quite the show by the mountains. The Ten Mile Canyon Path through the Vail Mountain Pass was especially beautiful and felt like plunging into an abyss of bliss as the tree-coated peaks continued to rise over us. We even saw badgers, geese, and moose! Also, in a massive coincidence, we ran into Kristen, a past Illini 4000 rider who was riding a century and happened to be wearing her I4K jersey from 2012! It was such an amazing moment to meet and connect with such an awesome alum and compare how we execute each of our rides (written cues vs. Ride with GPS and Zoleos!)

Jaylen, Kristen, Nina, and Hanna at the first rest stop.

Ollie, the owner of Route 6 Cafe in Eagle-Vail who covered our lunch today(!!!) poses with the team.

The scenery changed as we rode closer to Eagle, the pines were swapped with polka-dotted brush, the whites and grays for deep reds. It was like entering a completely different and much drier climate, but still with the same topographical elements. We pushed through the final miles on a busy U.S. 6 and made it to Eagle Vineyard Church in the early afternoon. Our hosts Lee and Rebecca Adkins made us right at home in our smallest (but still mighty) stayover yet, and provided us with a delicious spaghetti dinner, plenty of snacks, and lots of camaraderie. We are settled in for the night and feeling ready to bike 58 more miles to Rifle in the morning.

New paint job for the van.

Impromptu karaoke night!

Cyclist’s Corner

Today’s Rider: Emily Gonzalez

How are you today? I’m doing great, I’m on cloud nine, I’m having a fantastic day! I rode with a great group and felt safe while I was descending.

You’ve fundraised thousands of dollars for our cause. What has been the most impactful fundraising experience you’ve had? Working at the concession stands. I think that was a good way to raise money for the cause but also get to know all of you. Two birds, one stone, double whammy.

What keeps you going when it gets difficult to put in all of those miles or even to get on the bike? My godfather, he’s always on my mind when I wake up in the morning, even when I feel exhausted or hurt or when I haven’t had a good night’s sleep, I remember that he had days like that too. Also, just encouraging messages from home; my sisters, best friends, and parents give me good advice and are my biggest cheerleaders.

Do you have a favorite accessory to wear with your ride uniform? I didn’t have one before, but I think Tim, my cow (my cow!). I got him in Yuma and when we’re done with the climbing and he doesn’t feel like ten pounds on my back, he’s coming back on my bike with me.

What’s your rest stop routine? I don’t think I have one to be honest. I get off my bike, definitely stare off into the distance for a bit, and remember I have to eat a granola bar, fill my bottles, put sunscreen all over me quickly, have a few laughs, and wait for someone to tell me its time to go because its hard for me to do that myself.

In the remaining portion of the ride, where are you looking forward to visiting the most? I don’t have a specific city, but I’m really looking forward to the camping days when its clear out and you can see the stars and smell the campfire.

Please visit the rider profiles page on the website to learn more about this year’s riders! :)

~Dictionary of I4K~

Ride with GPS: A mobile app that uses GPS signal to track position, mileage, speed, etc. Our routes are created and accessible in the app, and verbal navigation cues guide us through each route.

Zoleo: A satellite relay device that can be used to contact the van or other groups if cellular service is unavailable. Can also be used to send SOS signals to emergency services. Compact and handy, one goes with each group and one stays in the van.

It makes sense in context.

Day 42: The Great Divide and the Sky Above. Idaho Springs to Frisco

Wow. What a day of incredible natural scenery, challenging climbs, auspicious descents, mammoth mountain valleys, and not much oxygen. Amazing was a huge understatement as we crossed the Continental Divide, another “halfway point” on this journey, at least according to water. Snow, stones, and flowers intermingled at the highest points where not even the pines dared to grow, and it truly felt like standing on top of the world in that moment. The way there and the way out were also very memorable as we faced the challenge of climbing and descending the Loveland Pass. This will be one for the books.

Ride Overview

Mileage: 46.1

Elevation: +5292’/-3574’

General Direction: Head west out of Idaho Springs onto Stanley Road, transfer to County Road 308 at mile 4.8 and 306 at mile 6.7, at the roundabout in Georgetown, take the second exit and begin the climb on Loop Drive past the railroad, follow Water Street through Silver Plume to the Loveland Bike Trail, take this for 4.9 miles to meet U.S. 6 at the base of the Loveland Pass, climb to the Divide and descend all the way past the Keystone Resort to turn left onto Swan Mountain Road at 40.1, climb and descend on this road for 4.9 miles, then turn left onto CO 9 to reach the stayover.

Points of Interest: Clear Creek, many historic mine sites, Georgetown Lake, Georgetown, Georgetown Loop Railroad, Loveland Trail, Continental Divide at Loveland Pass, Dillon Reservoir, Rocky Mountains

Tales of the Trail

First, it is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we are saying goodbye for the rest of the summer to our teammate and friend Laurel Racette. She has a knee injury that will not allow her to bike for the remainder of the ride, and she decided that it would be best to continue to support us from home while she recovers. This is in no way the end of her story with regard to I4K; she is still our teammate and friend and has done an incredible amount to support this organization as well as putting forth mile after mile on the bike all the way into the middle of Colorado from New York, an absolutely incredible feat. We will miss her very much and will keep in contact with her throughout the rest of the ride.

The day began with the sharing of this sad news and with sharing teary goodbyes, and we dedicated this ride to her. After taking a few pictures for the Idaho Springs local newspaper, we rolled out before the sun reached the mountain valley. We continued to follow I-70 on adjacent county roads and similarly continued to be awed by the trees, rivers, lakes, and mountains passing us oh so slowly by. A brief stop at Georgetown Lake was absolutely worth it just to take it all in, and take some pictures too. We had our first rest stop in the vibrant mining and tourist town of Georgetown before starting the most tremendous climb of the ride so far: the Loveland Pass.

The climb began by mixing roads and bike paths as well as passing the scenic Georgetown Loop Railroad before reaching a gorgeous forested path with mountains peaking out on all sides. We met and talked to many fellow cyclists on this route which, like their jerseys, were very cool; it garnered the same sense of community in cycling that we had when leaving New York. Following this trail, the final 4.6 miles of the 16.3 mile climb had us climb through the pass itself on a winding U.S. 6. Absolutely grueling, we took the shoulder of this busy pass, and with every pedal-stroke could see more and more disappearing below us and the peaks themselves coming into view. It was incredibly difficult, but worth every moment when we reached the top. 12,000 feet of elevation, our high point for the entire summer, on the Great Continental Divide itself.

Possibly the coolest lunch stop of the entire ride, riders took photos, ate, talked to many mountain-goers, and hiked a tiny bit in the immediate area. The wind whipped across the peaks, but the weather complemented everything we could see for miles and miles perfectly. It was a joyous time for the whole team. The following eight miles consisted of our most intense descent on the ride so far to match, with a near constant average 6% grade. Tree ridges rushed by us as the peaks began to tower over us once again. Truly an epic way to leave the Divide. The team honed their skills with cornering and signaling on these descents, and everyone made it safe and sound and had a blast while doing it.

New angle for the van.

Our final miles maneuvered us through another climb and descent past the massive Dillon Reservoir dotted with boats, as we passed ski resorts and attractions nestled between neighboring peaks. Tonight, we are staying at the Church at Agape Outpost just south of Frisco. Our wonderful host Carolyn provided us with an equally wonderful dinner of lasagna, salad, and awesome bread knots. Some riders opted to explore town while most rested, still feeling the elevation at 10,000 feet and exhausted from the day. Tomorrow, we ride 60 miles to the town of Eagle.

Nabeel’s expression pretty much sums up the climb.

Jean in Frisco, CO, her favorite town on the ride so far! :)

Cyclist’s Corner

Today’s Rider: Nina Rosas, Assistant Ride Leader

How are you today? I’m pretty tired, today we essentially climbed a mountain. Definitely pretty exhausted but very proud of myself and my group today for finishing this ride.

You’ve fundraised thousands of dollars for our cause. What has been the most impactful fundraising experience you’ve had? There wasn’t just one main impactful one for me. A lot of my family donated to me for this cause, and those individual fundraising experiences really showed me how supportive they were in helping me to complete my mission and believing in me.

What keeps you going when it gets difficult to put in all of those miles or even to get on the bike? Thinking about all of the work I’ve already put into the trip in terms of fundraising, training, and already doing the first half - and knowing I can do it. That and knowing the amount of support my family is giving me gets me on the bike in the morning.

Do you have a favorite accessory to wear with your ride uniform? Probably my bandanna, I wear a different color every day, just to mix things up!

What’s your rest stop routine? I feel like I have a not strict but timed routine, I’m definitely strict about the time the group spends at the rest stop, and within that time I take care of everything I need to do such as snacks, water, and sunscreen.

In the remaining portion of the ride, where are you looking forward to visiting the most? I would say any of the upcoming camping days. Not a specific location, but I know they will be opportunities to have some fun outdoors with the team at night.

Please visit the rider profiles page on the website to learn more about this year’s riders! :)

Group 3 spotted by Group 2 from near the top of the final climb.

Day 41: Moving Up in the World. Boulder to Idaho Springs

The day we have been waiting for both excitedly and nervously is here: our first dip into the formidable Rocky Mountains. Gaining 2200 feet of elevation by the time we reached Idaho Springs, the mountains continued to stare back as we were stunned by their beauty both during our climbs and descents. For much of the remainder of the ride, we Illinois students and mostly natives will have nothing but amazing topography to ride by and ride through.

Ride Overview

Mileage: 47.2

Elevation: +5026’/-2836’

General Direction: Use local streets, the Boulder Creek Path, and the southbound Bear Creek Greenway to reach CO Route 93 at mile 6.5, at mile 19.2 move onto the Highway 93 bike trail, and navigate to the U.S. 6 trail at mile 21.5, turn right onto Jefferson County Parkway at 23.8 and turn right onto U.S. 40 0.9 miles later, turn right with the highway as it heads toward the mountains and follow for 5.5 miles, slight right onto the I-70 Bike Path, follow until turning right once again on U.S. 40 for the descent, at the Walstrum Quarry turn onto the Scott Lancaster Memorial Trail and use Colorado Boulevard to reach the stayover in Idaho Springs.

Points of Interest: Boulder Creek Path, Bear Creek Greenway, Highway 93 Bike Trail, U.S. 6 Bike Trail, I-70 Bike Path, Scott Lancaster Memorial Trail, Rocky Mountains, downtown Idaho Springs

Tales of the Trail

Let’s skip to the good part. A key right turn onto U.S. 40 with massive Drive Safely signs attempting to block the nearest peak began our first 10+ mile climb which brought us just shy of 8000 feet. Groups talked as a way to pass the time and minimize thinking about the exertion. Afterward, a series of fun, forested bike paths worked their way into two thrilling descents on U.S. 40 when we rejoined it again. We continued to be in awe of the mountains and the forests climbing their sides all the way. Our route followed along with I-70 as it carved through the pass, and a beautiful and partially under construction bike path over Clear Creek took us the rest of the way into Idaho Springs.

We were joined by another friend of a rider for the whole of this route: Hanna’s friend Ed Pearson, a fellow Illinois alum who graduated in 2021! We very much enjoyed riding with him and having two Eds in addition to our dual Jons and Sams.

Hanna and Ed on the I-70 Trail.

Idaho Springs is one of the most beautiful towns we’ve visited so far (and this trend will likely continue). A historic mining town in regard to the mid-1800s Gold Rush, it is very linear and sandwiched between the nearest two piney mountains. Almost immediately after arriving, and as the blue sky was overtaken with afternoon storm clouds, we went whitewater rafting! It was another first for the team and incredibly fun! Clear Creek tossed us over some awesome rapids as the day turned to evening, getting us plenty wet with cold water but smiling all the way. We showered at the Clear Creek Metropolitan Recreation District, our stayover for the evening, enjoyed Colorado style pizza at Beau Jo’s, and explored a bit of town. An amazing and full day with so much to come, as we cross the continental divide tomorrow to reach Frisco.

I4K Water Edition.

Learning the ropes.

On the prowl for ice cream once again.

Cyclist’s Corner

Today’s Rider: Olivia Ross

How are you today? It was a good day! I got to take to my group a lot even though we were on a big climb which was very nice. Whitewater rafting was also fun!

You’ve fundraised thousands of dollars for our cause. What has been the most impactful fundraising experience you’ve had? Seeing the random people that have been in my life that have donated. People that I hadn’t talked to in a while still donated money to me because they believed in what I was doing despite us not talking for a long time, which was really impactful to me.

What keeps you going when it gets difficult to put in all of those miles or even to get on the bike? I would say the rest of the team. Having them as a support system is really great. They are my friends and I want them to be in my life after the ride. They and their positive attitudes keep me going.

Do you have a favorite accessory to wear with your ride uniform? I’d say my bracelet that my best friend and her mom gave to me. Those two mean a lot to me and I have been wearing it for them every day since I received it.

What’s your rest stop routine? Lay down, eat Sour Patch Kids, talk to everyone because I’m usually better at talking off the bike, stay as long as I possibly can at the rest stop, repeat.

In the remaining portion of the ride, where are you looking forward to visiting the most? The Redwoods. I remember going there as a kid and it was so beautiful and I can’t wait to go back. Where we are is very beautiful too, I’m going to go sit outside after this.

Please visit the rider profiles page on the website to learn more about this year’s riders! :)

Days 39 & 40: The Middle: Dark Sky, Tall Mountains. Fort Morgan to Boulder + Rest Day

An overcast sky sporting every shade of gray and white marked the end of the Midwest and the Great Plains for the I4K Bike America Team. The Rocky Mountains, looming and grand, emerged slowly from their cloudy shroud only in the last ten miles of the ride. The joy and excitement we feel is contagious as we enter the much more difficult yet immaculately beautiful second half of the 2023 Ride.

Ride Overview

Mileage: 94.2

Elevation: +2945’/-1917’

General Direction: Turn south and then right, left, and right onto County Road Q at mile 3.6, then turn left onto Route 52 at mile 14.3, remain on this road for 42.4 miles even as it turns west toward the interstate, proceed onto the southbound I-76 on-ramp at Hudson, then immediately take the emergency vehicle road to reach the frontage road, at mile 63.2 turn off the frontage road and onto westbound E 168th Ave., continue due west and onto Route 7 at the junction, at mile 89.7 continue onto the bike path and follow it through outer Boulder, after a brief segment on Colorado Ave. rejoin the bike path and follow it onto 13th St., turn right on Pine St. to reach the stayover location.

Points of Interest: Eastern border of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder Creek, Boulder Creek Path, Pearl Street Mall

Tales of the Trail

Miserable was the weather, more mist than rain, as we departed on our near-century toward Colorado’s metropolis corridor. The riders equipped their jackets as water spat against them and their bikes and they continued with lights on through plenty of empty flatland. The ground seemed to mimic the sky as we faced the worst paved road on the ride so far: Route 52. Miles and miles of constant jolting bumps made for an uncomfortable experience in the saddle, and surprising, large potholes were near-constant.

As the day went on, things got better. The mist cleared and the road suddenly became smooth for about half of its length (42 miles total), leaving us with some of the loneliest moments on the continent so far. Muddy fields stretched to the horizon and banked up to meet the gray sky. Sam R put it best when he said it felt like we were on a different planet. Pushing forward finally took us to an interstate frontage road, and a country road turned business spur propelled us the rest of the way above Denver toward Boulder.

Our team anticipated the Rockies with each passing mile, apart from eyeing the busy traffic and road construction of course. It wasn’t until around ten miles away that streaks of white rock on a few eastern faces began to appear. The tone changed from grit to excitement almost immediately. Boulder welcomed us with its scenic bike paths and rushing streams, as well as its lively and eclectic downtown (we even got to go through a farmer’s market!). As groups rolled into St. John’s Episcopal Church, some riders opted to finish out the century by exploring the colorful yet compact city center and experiencing some amazing first views of the mountains.

Our hosts Marc and Debbie Smith, as well as many members of the church, welcomed us with open arms and prepared one of the best dinners at a stayover we have had on the ride. There was lasagna, stir-fry, garlic bread, and blueberry cobbler - all homemade! We also got to visit with our trusted Logistics Director, superstar mechanic, and friend Ellie Beck who gave us some helpful advice for the challenging days ahead. In two days, the climbs into the Rockies begin. Some are ten miles or longer, but all are bikeable. Godspeed.

One more exciting bit of news: the two most significant halfway points have been reached! Today is Day 39 which marks the crossing of the halfway point of the summer, and our official mileage has ticked past 2357 miles, half of the official total of 4714!

The Rest Day

Restful for some, quite involved for many! A group of us took the van through Estes Park to Rocky Mountain National Park, and decided to climb Lily Mountain. Meanwhile, Sam R and Paul split off to bike (and zoom) on the adjacent and very hilly road for what ended up being 36 miles. The mountain and its views were absolutely serene and gorgeous, situated in such a way to pick out the tallest peaks of the Continental Divide while also looking toward the mountains at the eastern border of the range. Truly an epic hike for all. The rest of our team visited with friends and family in the area, explored Boulder and its array of cool shops and restaurants, and caught up on some much-needed sleep. It has been worth every second, and we will be sad to leave, but eager to taste the mountain air.

Cyclist’s Corner

Today’s Rider: Patrick Jamison, Ride Leader

How are you today? It’s been a good last few days, we’re finally getting to the beautiful part of the ride so I’m excited about that. Our first big climbing day is tomorrow and I’m excited to finally have something to look at while on the ride. We haven’t done anything like this since Pennsylvania so it will be good to get back into this for sure.

You’ve fundraised thousands of dollars for our cause. What has been the most impactful fundraising experience you’ve had? Tabling was definitely the most impactful for me, because when people would come up to donate, they’d share about why they were donating in regards to cancer experiences they or people they know had. For example, one person I met walked the border of the U.S. and Canada over a few summers, which was very interesting to hear about. His dad had an experience with cancer and the person I met was donating in support of him which was really powerful. I definitely enjoyed it, whether it was Walmart or the food co-op in Urbana.

What keeps you going when it gets difficult to put in all of those miles or even to get on the bike? Thinking about the people who have supported me through this the past three years, everyone who has donated, and more specifically thinking of my mom and grandma at home. I just want to make sure I keep my promise and bike across the country for as many miles as I physically can. Waking up is always a challenge too, and I remember why I am doing this in the morning which helps me.

Do you have a favorite accessory to wear with your ride uniform? I like to bring Randy the I4K squirrel with me every day to take pictures with. He is for sure my favorite accessory.

What’s your rest stop routine? If it’s a gas station, I immediately look for Peanut M&Ms or Fairlife Core Power Elite shakes (42g of protein, tastes great, very affordable, please sponsor me). I also apply my sunscreen, get water, look at what’s upcoming in the route, and just chat with teammates.

In the remaining portion of the ride, where are you looking forward to visiting the most? The three national parks left, which are Crater Lake, Grand Tetons, and Yellowstone. I’m also very excited for Mt. Shasta. Tomorrow as well, because we are going whitewater rafting and that will be really fun!

Please visit the rider profiles page on the website to learn more about this year’s riders! :)

Day 38: Independence. Yuma to Fort Morgan

A really good day overall. A lovely coffee stop. A vastness of plains dotted with a few cows. A sun burning bright with sweeping storm clouds slowly crawling over. We were, quite honestly, zoomin’.

Sorry for the late post, the rodeo ran a bit late. I will be posting about our adventures in Boulder tomorrow! :)

“Ain’t no saddle sores with no saddle.” - Nabeel

Ride Overview

Mileage: 60.5

Elevation: +1053’/-853’

General Direction: Navigate onto westbound U.S. 34 and remain on this road for 60 miles until reaching Fort Morgan, then turn left on State St. to reach the stayover.

Points of Interest: Great Plains scenery

Tales of the Trail

There’s arguably no more intimate way to engage with the country we live in on the day that it is most celebrated than exploring it and seeing it for what it is. The open brushlands and silos and fences and store-lined main streets of towns may be simple elements, but they are genuinely what make up so much of where we are. This ride was a quick one, simple in its direction and pleasant with its tailwinds. We saw more of the Great Plains and re-entered the “fertile crescent” surrounding the Platte River, which runs just north of Fort Morgan. We made it in time for some downtime before our main event that evening.

We are staying at Fort Morgan’s United Methodist Church. At our final rest stop, we saw a sign for a rodeo happening in the town of Brush, and thought it would be a perfect way to spend the evening of the 4th. At about 6 PM, we drove back along our route and watched it! There were shop tents, food stands, cowboy hats everywhere, and plenty of fireworks highlighting the dark and cloudy sky. We watched steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping and saddle bronc riding. For most of the team, it was the first rodeo they’ve seen, and it was a very fun time!

Cyclist’s Corner

Today’s Rider: Sam Rosner

How are you today? I’m doing really great. The ride went super, super smoothly, there was great scenery pretty much the whole way, and it wasn’t too hot. I also really enjoyed the rodeo.

You’ve fundraised thousands of dollars for our cause. What has been the most impactful fundraising experience you’ve had? I set up a table once outside of an outdoor equipment store to fundraise, and some of the people I met shared their experiences with cancer. This really helped me to see the impact of what we were doing firsthand.

What keeps you going when it gets difficult to put in all of those miles or even to get on the bike? First, I never decide to give up until i’ve been up at least twenty minutes; its always the hardest right after you’ve woken up. I also think about how far we’ve come, how great it will be to finish in San Francisco, and how I need to put in the work now and connect those moments.

Do you have a favorite accessory to wear with your ride uniform? Probably my sun sleeves which help me not to have to wear sunscreen on my arms, and a pair of sunglasses.

What’s your rest stop routine? I don’t really know if I have one, I just get something to eat to ensure I’m refueled and make sure I have enough water.

In the remaining portion of the ride, where are you looking forward to visiting the most? Grand Tetons in Wyoming.

Please visit the rider profiles page on the website to learn more about this year’s riders! :)

Day 37: Big Little Yuma. Wray to Yuma

A good day overall for many reasons. Shoutout to Hanna for helping to write this one and interviewing me! :)

Ride Overview

Mileage: 28.0

Elevation: +862’/-308’

General Direction: Navigate onto westbound U.S. 34 and remain on this road for 25 miles until reaching Yuma, then turn right onto S Detroit St. until the stayover.

Points of Interest: Five Rivers Cattle Feeding - Yuma Feedlot (one of the largest in Colorado! – very smelly)

Tales of the Trail

The team enjoyed the second shortest ride of the summer besides rolling into San Francisco. With a shorter day and a later rollout, a few riders got breakfast at nearby LaLa’s Bakery & Espresso Bar. At 28 miles, this quick route through mostly open plains took us into Yuma, CO. While there, we enjoyed lunch as a team at Main Event Bar & Grill, home of the Big Yuma, a hefty burger that puts the Big Mac to shame. We are staying at the Yuma First Church of the Nazarene, and prior to a taco dinner with homemade barbacoa provided by our hosts Dave and Jamie Martelle, we went for ice cream at Farm House Market. It was some of the best ice cream we’ve had thus far, which is definitely saying a lot. In the evening, we enjoyed some time outdoors and a fireworks show at our stayover’s 4th of July gathering. Tomorrow will take us just over 60 miles to the town of Fort Morgan as we continue to approach Boulder and the Rockies.

The Big Yuma itself.

Cyclist’s Corner

Today’s Rider: Jonathan Boudreaux

How are you today? I’m doing great! It was a nice, short day and we got to spend a lot of time in Yuma as a team. I had the best ice cream I’ve had on the trip thus far, barely beating out Logansport.

You’ve fundraised thousands of dollars for our cause. What has been the most impactful fundraising experience you’ve had? It’s really hard to choose because the fundraising we do is so multifaceted. I have fundraised through concessions at games, my own fundraiser on the quad, canning on Green St., and even working at Maya Korol’s dad’s warehouse. The most impactful experience for me was during winter break. I used to work as a server at a senior living community and a few of the residents heard about Illini 4000 and asked me to do a program for them. So, I made a presentation and talked all about I4K and what we we do and I received an overwhelming amount of support as well as fundraised over half of my $4000 goal. Shoutout and huge thank you to the staff and residents of Luther Oaks!

What keeps you going when it gets difficult to put in all of those miles or even to get on the bike? What keeps me going is thinking about where I am, where I’m going, and why I’m here. In moments where there is a lot of fatigue and pain, I try to focus on my breathing and cadence. I also look at the passing scenery and take in the music that’s being played. I think about our cause and who I am doing this for, and do the best I can to keep pushing forward, whether at mile 15 or 55. Chamois butter helps too.

Do you have a favorite accessory to wear with your ride uniform? I like to wear my dad’s sun bandana as well as my constellation bandana. I originally started wearing these to protect my head from the sun after I shaved it, but I’ve grown used to them and I really like the way they look.

What’s your rest stop routine? I don’t have a set routine, but I make a checklist in my head which includes filling water bottles, sunscreen, nutrition, bathroom, and queuing songs. If there is a gas station, I may venture in for a snack.

In the remaining portion of the ride, where are you looking forward to visiting the most? I am looking forward to the national parks that we are going to visit and camp in, including Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Crater Lake, and Redwoods. I think the beauty is going to be incomparable and cycling through them will be its own form of special.

Please visit the rider profiles page on the website to learn more about this year’s riders! :)

My cows!

Day 36: Wrath and Serenity. McCook to Wray, CO

This ride was brutally tough, yet it felt truly adventurous in a lot of ways. We have added not one, but two new states today. First was an optional quick pass across the Sunflower State of Kansas’ northern border near the end of our route. At mile 83.5, we said hello to a state that many have been truly excited for: the Centennial State and home to some of the tallest mountains in the contiguous United States, Colorado. They make up the tenth and eleventh states we will see (even though one was technically unplanned!), and are also complete opposites in terms of how much time we spend within them during this saga. The greatest amount of time spent by a ride group in Kansas was one hour, and this presumably will be the shortest amount of time spent in a state on the ride. We will spend close to eleven days in Colorado, around 260 times that of Kansas, which will be the longest amount of time we dwell in a single state.

Ride Overview

Mileage: 93.2 (+ 1.5 round trip for Kansas border)

Elevation: +3004’/-1979’

General Direction: Navigate to westbound U.S. 34 and remain on this road for the duration of the route, when reaching Wray, turn left on Main St. to reach the stayover. Optional: At mile 76.0, turn left onto Route 27 to reach the Kansas border three-quarters of a mile away.

Points of Interest: Swanson Reservoir, historical markers (including Texas Trail Canyon, Prisoners of War in Dundy County, and Ward Bond’s Boyhood Home), Republican River, Kansas border sign, Colorado border sign, Great Plains scenery

Tales of the Trail

We awoke as usual in the early hours of the morning to a lushly darkened sky, as we were nearing the time zone border. Provided graciously with muffins and fruit by the church, we were nervous but ready to face the day after riding 104 miles the day before. One exciting element to look forward to was the addition of, technically, another state to our list as our home road of U.S. 34 passed within a mile of Kansas’ northern border. Two trio ride groups opted to complete a back-to-back century by adding a few miles to the route during this Kansas portion, and two groups of five followed but planned to take some pictures at the border instead. We began with some straightaways, a few rolling hills through carving river valleys, and some amazing views of distant foothills and the Swanson Reservoir.

The raw mileage added up as we pushed into the middle of the day, grappling with saddle sores, fatigue, and other aches. The sun was ludicrously strong as the UV index rose to 10 and the high for the day reached 90 degrees. Sunscreen was applied copiously at every rest stop and at one of them we were even donated a bag of ice by the property owners. The diversity of bugs on this route was surprisingly high, but none of them dominated more than the miles of grasshoppers sitting in the road and jumping every which way when we rolled by (and hopefully not over) them. The land was still in many ways scenic with gentle hills and open prairie, but also dry and sparse with trees. With this, the lack of traffic, and the tiny towns we passed through, we definitely took our first glimpses into the loneliness that this part of the journey will envelope us in.

Kansas was a fun and very manageable excursion as well as a small reward for nearing the end of our route. It looked, get this, the exact same as Nebraska in that area, but allowed us to take photos and for the century-goers to get those needed miles in. Afterward, we ate a filling team lunch at Haigler Country Cafe in the town of the same name, and they even stayed open past closing time to accommodate us! The last eighteen miles were some of the hardest for many, but we were able to celebrate our crossing into Colorado after seven of them! Many on the team have been looking forward to this state and passing into the challenging but immaculately beautiful American West.

Tonight, we are staying at the Wray Recreation and Activities Center. They provided us with a delicious lasagna dinner and some homemade cobbler for dessert, as well as use of their showers and laundry machines, and we couldn’t be more grateful on all of these fronts. Tomorrow will be a short day as we ride a crisp 28 miles to Yuma, and we are looking forward to sleeping in a bit on top of moving back an hour for the Mountain Time Zone!

Love Island Watch Party!

Cyclist’s Corner

Today’s Rider: Edward Guo

How are you today? I am feeling mentally better than other days, but physically worse than other days. Today’s ride felt really long in the hot Nebraska summer. However, the ride itself was pretty fun and I enjoyed a lot of the views of western Nebraska and eastern Colorado. *salute*

You’ve fundraised thousands of dollars for our cause. What has been the most impactful fundraising experience you’ve had? I have two. First, working at Maya’s dad’s warehouse was very impactful. We were mainly repackaging products and I remember having to wake up at 5:45 every morning to go to work every day. This was during winter break, and when I left home, it would be dark and I would reach the warehouse by sunrise. The work that I did was more representative of low-income families and that was very humbling for me.

The second was doing concessions for a few games. It was really cool being able to work on something with the rest of the team, and in such a high pressure situation of trying to serve food and drinks to people. I definitely got to know a lot of my teammates and how we worked together through that experience.

What keeps you going when it gets difficult to put in all of those miles or even to get on the bike? What keeps me going, especially in the last few weeks, is being able to listen to music. That has helped me to keep my mind off the miles and the heat, and it also helps with team morale. To add on top of that, it’s about what I’m doing here and how we ride in solidarity with those who are battling cancer through physical exertion. For getting on the bike, its about the same as the other stuff. One thing I do is listen to music in the morning to get myself hyped up (today was Weird Al).

Do you have a favorite accessory to wear with your ride uniform? I always wear a headband with my uniform. I have seven different ones, and the nice thing about them is that they absorb and wick off the sweat from my head which prevents it from getting in my eyes.

What’s your rest stop routine? This is fairly consistent. It depends on what’s available, but it usually I get food first. If there is a gas station, I will typically grab something (salute to Casey’s). After food, I go for a bathroom break, which is nice to do when resting and not in the middle of biking. If there is a bathroom, I like to wash my hands and face to clean off excess sweat and sunscreen. After that, I apply sunscreen and refill my water bottles.

In the remaining portion of the ride, where are you looking forward to visiting the most? I am really looking forward to the week or so after Boulder as we head into the Rocky Mountains. I’m really excited to see what biking these will be like and the views that will come with that. I’m also looking forward to biking through the redwoods, not only because we will be shaded the entire time but because we will be passing under these giant trees.

Please visit the rider profiles page on the website to learn more about this year’s riders! :)

Day 35: The Third Century I.4.K. Kearney to McCook

Our longest official ride to date! Virtually two roads with some beautiful views of the Great Plains, it was utterly exhausting but a triumph for all.

Ride Overview

Mileage: 103.8

Elevation: +2707’/-2307’

General Direction: Navigate to south Route 44 and ride for the first 16 miles, turn right onto U.S. 6-34 and stay on for the remainder of the route (87 miles), turn right onto E 6th St to reach the stayover.

Points of Interest: Great Plains scenery

Tales of the Trail

A certain numbing of the mind is required to complete the longest routes. Some choose to focus on the mileage between rest stops, others think of intervals such as every five or ten miles, the point is to do one’s best not to envision the ride as a whole. Groups also have plenty of ways to pass the time, including some music with possible karaoke, a game of My Cows, and just talking. Today began with open fields full of irrigation sprinklers and a few small towns, but at around mile 45, the landscape suddenly changed. Gradual hills slowly rocked the riders up and down their slopes, and the Great Plains themselves seemed to open up in front of us. A mixture of these two landscapes composed the distance between Arapahoe and McCook as massive thunderclouds rolled in behind us. We pedaled and pedaled and pedaled all the way into McCook, and successfully avoided the rain (save for one group who got poured on for about two minutes in the last five miles).

Tonight, we are staying at Peace Lutheran Church. We were provided a generous dinner from Subway (some riders had up to four sandwiches) and showered at the local YMCA. Around eight or so hours of riding this distance takes a toll on both our bodies and minds, and we value our rest just as equally. With this, I will sign off and will report tomorrow on another near-century as we breach Colorado’s eastern border.

Cyclist’s Corner

Today’s Rider: Hanna Fei

How are you today? I’m pretty good. I van drove today so it was pretty chill for me, but I really enjoyed cheering on the team and playing music for them at the rest stops, as well as giving the customary little honks as I passed each group.

You’ve fundraised thousands of dollars for our cause. What has been the most impactful fundraising experience you’ve had? The generosity we receive from strangers that we meet on the road has been really touching. For example, a lot of people talk to us at gas stations we stop at and have donated much to our cause. It makes the trip itself feel more impactful.

What keeps you going when it gets difficult to put in all of those miles or even to get on the bike? The positive energy from my teammates really helps me to get going. We really try and encourage each other, and having music also keeps spirits up and me from falling asleep. My favorite is when whole groups are singing.

Do you have a favorite accessory to wear with your ride uniform? I’ve been really enjoying wearing fun socks. I got a new pair in Lincoln which have sloths on them and they are my favorite! It cheers me up when I look at them. I also love the Bob Ross temporary tattoo that Olivia gave me.

What’s your rest stop routine? I usually try to use the bathroom first. I don’t really have a regular routine, I just get everything done that I need to. If it’s a gas station I like to go inside and see if there’s any food I want; I have been getting into Casey’s breakfast sandwiches recently.

In the remaining portion of the ride, where are you looking forward to visiting the most? I’m looking forward to seeing my friend Ed who lives in Denver. He helped me get my first college bike and is going to ride with us for the first twenty miles on the way out of Boulder. I am also looking forward to the Grand Tetons in Wyoming!

Please visit the rider profiles page on the website to learn more about this year’s riders! :)