Max & Maria – Tales From the Ride

Here we are on day four of Ride the Rockies already! I almost don’t know where to start so much has happened. I can absolutely say I think this has been our best tour ever. It is awesome to see so many familiar faces. From the staff, to the hundreds of riders who return year after year.

Good Samaritan House team adopted us the first night. They have been so wonderful to spend time with. There are also at least 8 tandems out there pedaling and commiserating on the climbs! It has been so awesome to see so many families and children out on tandems together.

Day one over Fremont and Tennessee passes was beautiful! The wind was strong but it was a great day of riding. I have never seen Max so excited to see all his old friends and be pedaling again.  Everywhere we turned there were hugs and smiles and knuckle bumps for Max! This is absolutely the thing I love most about RTR. There are such great spirits on this ride! I am so touched by the overwhelming support and camaraderie of everyone here. It has been truly heart warming so far.

Day two was hard. The descent down from Wolcott gap was just spectacular! I could feel Max smiling and stoking me on to go faster the whole way down! The heat and intense sun plus not getting much sleep the night before hit hard that afternoon. Both Max and I were toast. This is part of RTR though. Pushing the envelope of fatigue and ourselves to the limit is to be expected! I know we will go home tired, happy and feeling accomplished.

Yesterday we called a rest day and went to Strawberry Hot springs. The water and play were just what we needed. The music in the evening was stellar. This is such a vacation for us. I get to pedal across some of the highest passes in Colorado with my son and 2000 amazing friends. We eat, ride and smile! I can see Max’s joy in his cycling. I feel his happiness at being part of so much great energy. This is why we keep coming back for more!

Today was just fantastic. Rabbit Ears Pass was more beautiful than I had imagined. It was a hard early climb up. But breakfast at altitude is worth it. Max was stoking his little heart out on the descent… faster Mom, faster! I am using the pedal assist less and less! My 17 year old is becoming a strong cyclist. Thanks to so many amazing role models and this experience we call Ride the Rockies.  I think it is just awesome!

I think we made a wise choice to sag in to Grand Lake from Kremmling. The heat was just a lot and we  wanted to enjoy the evening.  I love this town. The people are so friendly. Hay rides, pasta and music… what more could you ask for?

I am so incredibly proud of Max so far. He has had so much to overcome this year. He had alot of health issues this winter and hasn’t been able to be in school. He has had multiple trips to Children’s Hospital struggling with regression, anxiety and severe sleep apnea. He is having surgery right after Ride the Rockies.