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

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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

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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.