Leasing is not the same as owning, sorry.

I think I can only reasonably update Colorado considering the amount of uncessary detail I put into each post. Best of luck. Sorry to those of you still reading chapters from the last one. Also Dad informed me that he also read that last one. So thanks to mom and dad for the dedication.

COLORADO

Lamar: The first part of Colorado was a lot like Kansas. Hannah swears that after immediately crossing the state line it began to smell better. Really, Hannah? Really now. At the end of the day was a stop for Mexican with free ice cream, but after that it got really hot. I think we perhaps suffered some effects from the heat of that day. We had to walk to the showers that afternoon, and I don't quite remember the circumstance but Scott W., Michelle, Dan C. and I developed some "insanity outlet words." Again, it is difficult to explain to anyone on the outside but to the Wilkins, Williamson, and Carmody families: If your son or daughter continues to use these words said in a light airy high pitched tone up to 2 weeks after the end of this trip, please seek psychiatric counsel--- "Luuuunchtiiime" " Iiiice cream" " Chaaaaarlie" " Gym-usium" (pronounced "jim-yum" I am aware this is not phonetic, that is why it is all that much more disturbing)

Rocky Ford:
"Maura, what town are we in today?"
"Huh? what? oh, Rock Forest"
"Are you sure?"
" uh... yea yea, that's it"

The ride was again hot and dry. Lunch was at a delightful spot under some trees and pinic tables next to a state correctional facility. Why would there be pinic tables here? No one is quite sure, but it was pleasant nonetheless. Later in the afternoon, Hannah started having headache and trouble breathing. Her only conclusion and diagnosis of these symtoms: Altitude sickness. I only mention this because I have continued to make fun of her almost everyday since this point considering we were at about 3000 ft above sea level.

We ate a delicious dinner and then began preparing for our 124 mile day. I think the word "preparation" would be an understatment perhaps. I blame Dan Oates for psyching me out so much. We were doing 24 miles (about hour to hour and half more riding... so not all that much) then we normally do so I naturally packed about 4 additional Clif Bars, a bag of sunflower seeds, and an emergency peanut butter and jelly. In addition, I of course had to do prehydration: 3 cups of tea at dinner (a diuretic--smart) with and 24 oz water, followed immediately by 24oz gatorade. Most could realize that the body can't hold this much fluid. I did later on that night as well, about 4 times. We also needed to get to sleep early so we all tucked into our sleeping bags by 9pm sharp.
"Claire, could you turn off the lights?"
"Sure, guys"
I go to the switch. It turns on a lamp. Oh, I guess not that one.
The next 45 minutes (yes 45) was spent with us scouring the church trying to find light switches to turn off the lights. We found some on the ceiling (yes, I know, why.) that took care of some of the hallways but no switches were found controlling any of the main rooms. Tension was high. And I think a call was finally made to the pastor at a quarter to ten. I never heard the conversation, but I can imagine trying to make the 30 of us not sound like a bunch idiots to be quite difficult. Something " oh hi, we are the bikers in your church... umm... how do you turn off the lights?"

fuse box.

Colorado Springs: We had 4:15am wake up time. It really wasn't that hard since I was up 1am, 2am, and 3am. Again, I blame Dan Oates. Prehydration is key to a good ride the next day.
Becky and I played I-Spy until lunch. I of course bested her in several rounds with such clever objects as Renee's hairband, and the pink writing on the back of her own helmet.. boo hahahha.

She cheated and had such un-clever and unoriginal objects like the white line on the road. Lame, Becky, lame.

Then... mountains. They were just there. We had been on the flats so long I had forgotten. Here is where I feel like trying to write about what we saw is going to be just really boring. Because really now, how do you describe a beautiful mountain? You just don't.
So we descended into a gorgeous red rock valley at 35 mph with a lightening storm on our left and clear skies on our right. It was fantastic. We then rode through the storm into Colorado Springs and made it through the city. We arrived exhausted, but it was possibly one of the best days of the trip. I can't describe it any further then it was awesome and riding with everyone is also awesome.

Colorado Springs build day/day off: Here is when I updated my blog last time. If you'll notice the length and divide it by my average wpm, you'll realized I had little time to do anything else.

Buena Vista: So previously, when I mentioned I didnt do anything those two days in Colorado Springs, apparently that also included eating. Well, I did eat, but normal eating and Bike and Build eating are on separate caloric scales. Without describing every painful hill, I will just say biking it difficult when you don't eat enough. I would also like to personally thank Michelle, Scott and Daniel for staying with me and pulling me the entire day even when I lead them up a hill at a wicked fast 3-4mph. The end of the day we also got hot chocolate in Johnson Village about 2 miles outside of host site. It was delicious and possibly saved my life.
The hosts at Buena Vista were amazing. One of the ladies made this spinach/cheese lasagna. Best ever.

Gunnison: The morning we had a breakfast of pancakes provided by the Optimist Club. I didn't really know what an Optimist Club was or what they did, but they did make free pancakes and let you jump ahead in line for seconds. A good system.
A third pancake is necessary for climbing the continental divide. I think that is some kind of proverb or it's in the Book of Virtues or something. Dan C., Dan T. and I started climbing out with high spirits, singing and talking. Then at some point along the trip, possibly corresponding to the thinning of air, the singing seemed to stop. Dan Carmody invented a new word as well, combining "Climb" and "Die" = Clie as used in "Claire, ... I'm clying." No one is quite sure what motivated this new word because everyone knows climbing is really fun.

Actually climbing really isn't all that bad. Your brain sort of shuts off and your legs begin to pedal by themselves anwyay. It only gets worse when you "wake up" from the climb. I was climbing then suddenly realized I was on a bike and oh.. look a hotel. We must be near the top. Why would they build a hotel if we weren't near the top with a view? So naive. Some 2 additional hours later we were actually at the top. I "woke up" several times during that as well to see: 3 separate turns in the road that I thought were for sure the top, and also snow. Thankfully, Angela, the blessing that she is, bought us all hot chocolate for lunch. so good.

The descent off the mountain was actually cold, wet, and all-in-all pretty frightening. I hope other blogs describe this in better detail, but the end result was the 30 of us ( minus Dave Getchel who stops for nothing not even mountain hurricanes) overtaking a gas station which by providence had dryers. We stayed there for about an hour and half consuming more warm beverages. Or for Emily nervous Snickers Bar eating. And also thankfully we had the most fantastic tailwind, not since that day in Kansas, all the way into Gunnison.

Ouray: Riding into Ouray was one of the most beautiful and awesome days that I feel will just be impossible to describe. We awoke in the morning to rain. All of us were somewhat emotionally and mentally scarred from the previous day recalling all the fun things that can occur when biking through water, so we left somewhat hesitantly. It clear up though within the first 30 minutes followed by such cliches things like crystal blue lakes, rainbows, snow capped mountains, and majestic/rugged cliffs. It was amazing, but not all the interesting to read about. We also came to this valley that greatly resembled that part in Jurassic Park when they first see the Brontosaurus, and that song plays. After that we began discussing Michael Crichton and all his many accomplishments. The discussion then turned into a 4 hour fabricated quiz/fact sharing on the details of Michael Crichton's life. Here is yet another brief excerpt into the experience of spending 7 hours on a bike each day.

"Angela, True or False. Michael Crichton has previously owned a gorilla?"

Angela: "True"

"No, I'm sorry. False. But he did lease one for two months during the writing of Congo"

Dan C.: "Micheal Crichton has a pilot liscence"

Dan T.: " Micheal Crichton drives a Jetta and his best score at Hawaiin Rumble mini golf is 12 under par"

The last miles were spent on " Million Mountain Road." This is a fictional name given to the newly paved roads in Colorodo as each inch in the road is like riding over millions of tiny hills. There are no shocks on road bikes tragically. I am convinced that the Highway adminstration of colorado probably should look into possible embezzlement schemes as it appears that the old roads were just spray painted black.

Final stretch of road: rolling hills, ponies, grass, red cliffs, streams, yellow and white flowers, blue mountains, cool air, setting sun, mist. Magical.

Durango: We had another 11,000 ft climb, not that we were scared or anything, but Dan Carmody and I decided to put off the enevitable and go get some coffee beforehand. We went to Mouse's Chocolate. We as a group sometimes forget we are a bit of spectacle and that spandex and matching outfit sort of draws people's attention. But the nice lady behind the counter asked what we were doing, asked us about bike and build, ask why would anyone want to climb Red Mountain, and then treated us to some coffee and a scones. Thanks Mouse's Chocolate! Just as we were leaving we saw a local biker descending down the mountain. Oh, and he had his dog with him. Odd, but since Ouray is really just surrounded by cliffs... where else are you going to walk your dog, so sure. oh... no wait,.. that is Daven. Daven apparently had a cute little dog follow and stalk him about 1/2 mile up the hill but then had to turn around because he was afraid that it was going to get hit by a car. We coaxed the puppy to two ladies talking down the street. "Hi, um, this dog is following us. Would you mind holding it while we climb this mountain?"

The whole ride was beautiful. When we were descending the first mountain, I almost cried. Really. It was so gorgeous that Dan C. and I even stopped mid -descent going 30 mph to take a picture. ( I can't figure out how to steal with the filter on this computer, so it is here: http://www.carmodyfamily.com/bnb/updates.htm )

Sadly on this trip we do see a lot of roadkill. It is not pleasant. Up the second climb I saw this strangely intact bird. I investigated its consciousness with a slight touch with the tip of my shoe. I was later accused by those bikers who hate birds and would rather run them down off the road ( Daven and Swaroop) of "kicking" the bird. Lies. I then seeing that it was in fact awake gently coaxed it over to the side of the road. Again "rescuing" animals on B&B really means " leave on the side of the road." The final descent was basically 25 miles. It was amazing, and took us straight into town. We had dinner and Emily Pedneau's Aunt and Uncle's house. Her uncle made eggplant parmesan. I am being emailed the recipe at the conclusion of this trip.

Durango/ Build Day: We tarred a house. Tar. Tar stains most everything. Everything including skin. I am in Arizona, I finally do not have tar on my leg. Also on the build site, Michelle and I found these safety glasses that made the world seem more beautiful. Ask anyone who tried them on. It is not a lie.

We spent the rest of day in downtown Durango. Peter from Maria's Bookstore bought us ice cream at MagPie's. I was amazing and unexpected. I would like to thanks Peter, and Scott Wilkin's Dad.

I also lost my phone in Durango. I am pretty sure that some mountain biker ( since the entire population of Durango largely mountain bikers) has found it and it using. You can still leave me messages if you want, but I will not likely call you back.

Webb: still averaging 6.