TRIP SUMMARY

Jacob realized his dream and will forever be a different person as a result. He gained strength, maturity and wisdom from day to day. Since our trip ended Jacob has successfully lived on his own in Utah as he had dreamed he would. Our closeness to and appreciation for each other grew in a way which can only be possible through very difficult, strenuous and dangerous experiences together, where we constantly depended on each other and where it really was a team effort. And, speaking of team, certainly for the second half of this trip, Jake’s grandpa, my father, was a worthy, hard-working, selfless member of the team. These days and experiences are forever a part of our characters.

This trip covered 1,736 miles over 41 days. We rode our bikes on 28 full days and four additional days of a small amount of riding. We rested all five of the Sundays during the tour and we rested on four additional days. Therefore, we averaged about 60 miles per normal day. Climbing – yes, we climbed about 72,000 vertical feet. This averages out to about a half mile or 2,500 vertical feet per day. Considering the flat days in Kansas and parts of Colorado, we had a number of really good climbing days of at least 5,000 vertical feet. The largest concentration of climbing was in the Missouri Ozarks – up and down and up and down and up, and of course, in Colorado.

In Colorado, we climbed over 9,200 foot high Hardscrabble Pass which had a steep 9% grade to the top, 11,312 foot Monarch Pass with 10 miles of 6% grade climbing up to the top, and finally 8,200 foot high Douglas Pass, with varying grades of 6% to 11%.

Constant exposure to the elements, both day and night, translates into the need to always be flexible and adaptable and to be prepared for most unexpected phenomenon. Even though the heat and humidity were grueling from Kentucky to Kansas, and the winds were challenging and at times down-right dangerous in Kansas and Colorado, it was the ever increasing (ever increasing as we rode farther west) exposure to dangerous vehicular traffic which caused the greatest concern. With fewer back roads in the western states there was simply more traffic concentrated on fewer roads out west with the added challenge of little to no usable shoulder.

All in all, we feel our many prayers were answered, that angels really did protect us, that it was a miracle we could arrange and successfully complete this trip. We are grateful to Angie and to Adam for their constant support, and also to Adam and Elizabeth for maintaining the business affairs in my absence.

Day 41 Rangely, CO to Vernal, UTAH 53 Miles – End of the Adventure to Utah

Another memorable day – but, perhaps the most memorable, because Jake realized his main, ultimate goal, i.e. of riding his bicycle from Kentucky to Utah.

Yes, we crossed the border into UTAH today. Jake was all smiles, and yet perhaps a little let down, because there was really nothing different on either side of the border. But, made it he did and he has achieved something, which at one time appeared impossible and which few really imagined he could accomplish.

Headwinds increased as the day progressed. We were in the high plains. Although expected to be relatively flat or downhill, we still climbed over 2,000 feet today.

After we crossed the large Green River, after it has flowed out of the Flaming Gorge reservoir, we entered Jensen, Utah, where we ate lunch.

Then, a wonderful surprise, about ten or eleven miles before our goal of Vernal, on the other side of the street a bike rider came towards us, whom I quickly recognized was my good, good friend, Perry Taylor.

He rode out from Vernal to meet, greet, and ride back to his home in Vernal. Jake had really hoped he would come, and he did. He and his wonderful family have provided the best ending to this fabulous adventure. It was so good to be in Vernal and the Utah mountains.

Forty-one days, 1,750 miles, many different roads, ups and downs, rain, heat, humidity, coolness, forests, fields, sage brush, mountains, cars and trucks, and churches everywhere.

It was America from Kentucky to Utah – seen at the slow speed of a bicycle. What an adventure! What wonderful, once in a lifetime adventure for a son and his father, and his grandfather, and his family, and his friends!

We met so many good, friendly, kind, generous people. We saw clouds and blue skies, and felt crisp, clear air. We encouraged each other when it was difficult to go on. We shared water and power bars when we ran out.

After somewhere in Missouri, grandpa was there to help. “Just tell me what time in the morning,” he would say. He scouted places to eat and to sleep, and tried to protect us from the heavy, dangerous traffic. And he shared his observations and thoughts on life.

Jake dreamed a dream and it came true!

From JakeTransAmerica

From JakeTransAmerica

From JakeTransAmerica

From JakeTransAmerica

Day 40 Fruita, CO to Rangely, CO 78 miles

This was a day and a ride Jake and I will not soon forget. We began by getting up at 5:30 am, eating at 6:00 am, and being on the road at 7:15 am.

The ride consisted of five flat miles from Fruita to Loma, and then turning onto Highway 139 (the Douglas Pass Road) heading north. We first passed by alfalfa, corn and wheat fields, and then across high plains desert, before entering into beautiful canyons, where native Americans have lived for more than 4,000 years, all while climbing four times and descending afterward. However, the general trend was a gradual climbing.

Throughout the time spent on this road, there was little to no usable shoulder. After riding for 34 miles we had ascended to about 6,000 feet, and now the climb began in earnest.

I measured the climb at anywhere from 5% to 11% grade. The grade was not constant, but varied throughout.

Jake and I moved right up the climb and by a little after 12:15 pm arrived at the top, 8,200 feet and windy.

During the climb the vegetation changes from sage brush and other dry canyon growth to conifers and grass.

It was very beautiful and the pictures will show. The pass road had several switchbacks and reminded me of European alpine roads. We ate lunch at the top, then began the very steep descent, stopping several times to let the motor homes, semis, etc. pass by. There was quite of bit of traffic.

My father was and is the epitome of patience. Imagine driving behind us all day at 4 to 25 miles per hour, but usually at about 10 to 15 miles per hour, for seven hours. He provided great warning and protection.

During our descent we had a great tailwind. It began to rain briefly one time. One mile before our destination a high desert wind storm began, coming as a cross wind, which almost knocked us off our bikes. We had to stop until the strong gusts were not as frequent and then we turned onto Highway 64 and rode into Rangely against a 25 mile per hour headwind.

Today we covered 78 miles, our second longest day. We climbed almost 5,000 vertical feet, and rode the longest distance without any services available.

As usual Jake did great, again being the first one to the top of the pass.
We have now been out 40 days and covered 1,670 miles since leaving Bardstown, KY.

Tomorrow Jake’s goal to riding to Utah will be realized, because we will be crossing the state line into Utah. We should reach our final destination next week.

From JakeTransAmerica

From JakeTransAmerica

From JakeTransAmerica

From JakeTransAmerica

From JakeTransAmerica

From JakeTransAmerica

From JakeTransAmerica

From JakeTransAmerica

From JakeTransAmerica

From JakeTransAmerica

Day 39 Fruita, CO Rest Day

We are all quite exhausted and decided to rest one day to be in better shape and also to prepare for tomorrow big ride, which will be a good test of the shape we are in after more than five weeks on the road.

Tomorrow we will be riding 78 miles from Fruita to Loma, then on Highway 139 – the Douglas Pass road – to Rangely. There are no services – no food, no water – for the whole distance, and we will climb from 4490 feet at Fruita to over 8,100 feet over Douglas Pass. We organized food, water, etc. and drove in Dad’s car up to the top of the pass. It was a good rest day.

Day 38 Delta, CO to Fruita, CO 53 miles

In the far distance in the first picture, one can see the beautiful high mountains of southern Colorado, which is where we would be today, had we not turned north yesterday.

From JakeTransAmerica

The second picture shows our pilot-sag car driven by the best 95-year old driver. Through the mountains and especially along the very busy Highway 50 towards Grand Junction, the flashing warning lights and sign in my father’s back window, helped significantly to protect us from ever-present danger.

From JakeTransAmerica

From JakeTransAmerica

Our ride today was from Delta, CO to Grand Junction and then 13 miles farther along a scenic route near the spectacular multi-colored cliffs which distinguish the Grand Junction – Fruita area.

We climbed up several times to mesas and passes – totally more than 2,000 vertical feet of elevation – and finally descending into Grand Junction, before going on to Fruita.

Jake continues to stay positive, happy, and very focused on his riding – as he gets stronger, wiser, and more mature.

We have seen many of the “Share the Road” signs during this trip and I finally took a picture of one of them. The signs are greatly appreciated and we believe do make a difference making drivers aware of cyclists and their rights to use the same roadway.

From JakeTransAmerica

The beautiful cliffs near Fruita, Colorado.

From JakeTransAmerica

Day 37 Gunnison, CO to Delta, CO 86 miles

Although this was going to be a day of descending from Gunnison to the arid region of Montrose, we did have three climbs, which amounted to more than 3,000 vertical feet of climbing.

After riding most of the day to Montrose, my father suggested that since it was only 3:00 pm when we arrived in Montrose, that we ride on another 20 miles to Delta, which would mean less miles to cover tomorrow.

Easier said than done. But, in the end we are glad we took his suggestion, even thought we were pretty tired after arriving at 5:00 pm in Delta. We had ridden the most miles during any day on this adventure.

In the morning as we rode out of Gunnison at about 7:45 am, the air was crisp, the temperature about 49 degrees and everything was really naturally beautiful.

After about 20 miles we began to ride along the shore line of Blue Mesa Reservoir, which extends another 20 miles. Then we left the water and climbed into the mountains and over three passes. After that we descended down to Montrose and then onto Delta.

This past weekend I felt we should change our route into Utah. Rather than head for the southern part of Colorado and then into extreme southern Utah, I felt we should head north.

So, when we arrived at Montrose, rather than turning left and heading south up to the Telluride area and passes, we turned north on very busy Highway 50 towards Grand Junction.

Highway 50, from Montrose to Grand Junction, is a four lane, almost freeway, with very heavy traffic. Fortunately, it had a pretty wide shoulder which we used all the time, even though it is strewn with rocks, shredded tire parts, etc.

Every day before we start riding we begin have a prayer together – Jake, his grandpa, and I. This morning as Jake prayed, he thanked that through this trip “we had become stronger, wiser, and more mature.” Truly, we have!

From JakeTransAmerica

From JakeTransAmerica

From JakeTransAmerica

From JakeTransAmerica

Day 36 Gunnison, CO Rest Day

After five weeks of riding and more than 1,400 miles, we all needed another rest.

It is so beautiful in Gunnison. The air is pure, the sky is very blue, and mountains are all around.

We worked on bikes and updated this blog. It was such a busy day that it was hardly a rest day. But, at least, our legs got a good rest. My father was also very tired and needed these two days.