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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The beautiful cliffs near Fruita, Colorado.

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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!

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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.

Day 35 Gunnison, CO Rest Day, Sabbath

We had a wonderful and necessary rest day today. We attended the branch of our church here in Gunnison and had a very uplifting time.

Amongst the members at church we met a wonderful man named Rudiger Richter, who is from Austria and in fact, from the same city and the same part of the city as my wife. We both know the same people there. We had a great time talking with him.

Day 34 Poncha Springs, CO to Gunnison, CO 66 Miles

What a Day!!! Talk about variety, beauty, challenges, rewards, more challenges and finally the destination after 12 hours since we rode away from Poncha Springs in the morning.

We rode away just after 8:00 am and arrived at our destination in Gunnison, about 8:30 pm as it was really getting dark.

Today was the day long thought about – the day we would climb the highest pass on our trip – Monarch Pass at 11,312 feet.

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For most of the early morning we climbed gradually along the Arkansas River valley. Then, the last 12 miles we began to climb in earnest, with the last six miles a steady, constant 6% grade, climbing from about 9,000 feet to over 11,000.

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Jake was the first to the top. My father was great – making every effort to protect us from the very heavy, Saturday, vacation traffic.

He usually stayed within a quarter to half mile behind us and at times only one or two hundred yards, with his hazard lights flashing and the sign in his window.

Jake was the first to the top. Although his muscles let him know he had really pushed himself.

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We had met another great person several days earlier out on the Colorado prairie. His name is Brian and we quickly became good friends.

He is riding alone from Brooklyn to San Francisco. Seeing the great protection my father was providing we offered that he ride with us, which he gladly accepted for the rest of the day.

Monarch Pass offers superb views in every direction. We wanted to linger longer, but it seems like we usually have to make a real effort each Saturday to make it far enough so we can attend church and rest on Sunday.

Today was no different. We had to climb Monarch Pass while riding a total of 66 miles, and with a few challenged thrown in.

The descent from the pass is ten miles straight down – braking for safety the whole time. In addition, the afternoon winds and developing thunderstorms caused totally unpredictable wind gusts from every possible direction as we wound our way down the canyons from the pass.

We were very hungry by the time we reached Sargents, where we had a good lunch. Then with threatening skies and strong headwinds we left Sargents, knowing we still had to ride 32 miles to Gunnison.

Not long afterwards the dark skies began to pelt us with very large drops of rain. But, thanks for Brian’s courage we ventured on without stopping.

Not long afterwards the rain ceased, but not the headwinds. When we took a short break the mosquitoes ate us up and gave us every reason to be back on our bikes.

With just 12 miles remaining and the sun starting to set, I had our first flat tire of the entire trip. I quickly turned around to walk the bike back to where my father’s car was still stopped, while sending Jake and Brian on towards Gunnison.

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It again began to rain as I took off the rear wheel, getting all greasy. And to make things very interesting, the mosquitoes sucked all the remaining blood out of my veins.

While fixing the flat, I discovered a very small piece of wire on the inside of the tire, only ¼ of an inch long. It was quickly removed and a new tube was inserted, pumped up, and I was again on my bike, feeling hunger pains, fighting headwinds, itching all over from the bites, and seeing the sun darkening.

Within three miles the tire went flat again. I decided to pump it up to try to make it into Gunnison before dark. After repeating a frantic pumping exercise five successive times, I finally made it to town, finding Jake, but finding that all the motels were booked, except one which I had passed coming into town, which was now one and a half miles back outside town.

I pumped up the tire several more times, only to have to walk the bike the last half mile. But, we got a room. Dad, who was exhausted himself, went into town to get us a pizza, which we finally at after 10:00 pm.

What at day! But, we made it and we had the most uplifting and edifying spiritual time the following day.

Day 33 Westcliffe, CO to Poncha Springs, CO 54 Miles

My father was as happy as he could be this morning as we took in the fabulous view of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, just before a great breakfast in Westcliffe.

He loved the air, the view, the beauty, everything about this peaceful setting. I’m sure he would have gladly stayed there a week, but duty called.

The evening before we met another rider at dinner, named Keith. He is a great person. He is riding in the opposite direction, from San Francisco to Virginia.

He planned this trip for two years. Missouri is where he calls home. He described that about a week earlier his father surprised him by showing up one night in Utah.

His father offered to support, assist and protect Keith as he traversed the Rocky Mountains. Amongst other things, his father put a sign on the rear of his car stating the a bicycle rider was ahead. Keith’s father would drive the car behind Keith, pulling to the side of the road so other drivers could see the sign and then repeating this again and again, always staying about 5 to 10 minutes behind Keith.

The next morning, Keith’s father had to drive on, so he gave us the sign which my father immediately taped onto his rear window as pictured. When Keith gets to Bardstown, we offered that he stay the night at our home.

From JakeTransAmerica

Our journey today took us from around 8,000 foot elevation at Westcliffe, down the Wet Valley, through some dry canyons, descending down to the Arkansas River and the very busy Highway 50.

Our map guide stated that riding on Highway 50 along the Arkansas River up toward Monarch Pass would have the heaviest traffic of the whole route, and boy was it right.

Two lane, heavy traffic on a Friday. At one point there was streaming traffic coming against us and with us.

One of the vehicles traveling in our direction was a heavily loaded semi with a trailer full of rock. He did not slow down and he took the whole road width, which meant we had to ride off the road into the gravel to avoid being hit.

There was no shoulder for most of the this day. We know the angels have protected us on this trip.

We wanted to ride much farther today than we did, because we know of the challenge of climbing 11,312 foot high Monarch Pass tomorrow.

But, I needed help with the constant pain on my bottom, so when we reached Salida, we went directly to the local bike store, which was a good one.

Unfortunately, it took more than three or four hours and the exchanging of a number of bike parts, to make the proposed changes which might offer help in the near future.

As we left town in the late afternoon, without having eaten anything, the headwinds and storms came on strong. We got directions and help from the local LDS church branch president who just happened to be at the church which we just happened to ride by.

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It was a daunting situation. It was beginning to get dark, the headwinds made it very difficult to ride, we were hungry and we needed to find a place to stay, and yet we wanted to ride at least another ten miles up the canyon and camp.

In the end we rode only five or six miles, found a cheap motel and had a good dinner, resigned to travel farther the next day.

The only room available at the motel was a single bed, so Jacob graciously offered to sleep on the floor, saying he sleeps better there than in a bed. Whenever we stay indoors, we always bring the bikes into the room.

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Jake has been a wonderful traveling companion on this trip, being upbeat, making good choices, and always making friends.

Day 32 Pueblo Lake State Park, CO to Westcliffe, CO 52 miles

Climbing the Rocky Mountains begins today in earnest. Today we climbed 5,000 vertical feet – the most in one day on this trip.

Five of the 52 miles were through a steep canyon, climbing up to Hardscrabble Pass – with a 9% grade the whole time. Even though we were pretty high in altitude, it was still in the 90’s as far as heat was concerned.

The Hardscrabble Pass is 9,100 high. We really worked today. The fast, dangerous traffic on the roads made it quite a challenge also. But, we took time to smell the roses and the roses were very sweet. The higher we climbed the more it looked like the European alps.

After crossing the pass, and this pass is not your normal pass, where you ride up to it and over. It had several flatter portions on top and continued to go higher and then flat, before going down to Westcliffe, which is in a beautiful valley, called the Wet Valley, with the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range the full length of the valley on one side and the Wet Mountains on the back side.

The air is at once clear and fragrant. Cattle graze in the lush grasses. It’s not wet enough for any mosquitoes. Although it snows here in the winter time, it has a relatively mild climate.

The town is both cowboyish and touristy. Some of the ranches are models of beauty and wealth.

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Day 31 Ordway, CO to Pueblo Lake State Park, CO (8 miles past Pueblo) 62 Miles

A lot of variety was to be on the agenda today. We left the quiet little town of Ordway without breakfast, because there was no restaurant open at 7:00 am. We were able to get some food along the way at a hardware store which had a microwave and some juice.

We had some concern about today because we knew that a very busy Highway 50 would join our route 14 miles before Pueblo, turning our route into a four lane high speed road. Fortunately, it had a wide shoulder, which we rode on. The day was hot and we had a headwind most of the day.

As we rode closer to Pueblo, we were able to see for the outline of the Rocky Mountains more clearly.

Pueblo would be the largest city by far, which we would pass through on our trip – over 100,000 population. Our route takes us right downtown and through the city. We stopped at a bike store for help with my saddle sores, which unfortunately, didn’t help.

After riding through the beautiful large city park we left the city heading farther west and we began to climb up onto the plateau which was part of the large Pueblo Lake State Park, where we camped for the night.

The wind was so strong we pitched our tent right behind a shelter. The park had good, warm showers. My father drove back into Pueblo to find a motel for the night, only to show up just after 6:00 am the next morning with some food for us and ready for the new day of riding.

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The first picture is of a beautiful flowering cactus along the road before coming to Pueblo.

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The second picture is of our campsite.

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