Hey club members what a great weekend of rides, camaraderie, scenery and food some of us had this past weekend in Steamboat Springs! Those that made the drive to Steamboat Springs to join Pat and Lynn from Tandem Cycle Works had a great time and super rides. There was about 36 tandem teams that took over the Bristol and Nordic hotels from Friday eve to Monday afternoon. We rode some spectacular valleys, with some climbing, little traffic and great scenery of farm life and rural living. These weekend rides are a great way to meet some new friends, renew with old ones and have a blast.

This was a tour of a lifetime that almost didn’t happen. The first leg of our journey was delayed in Colorado Springs. We rearrange our flight from Dallas through London Gatwick with a bus transfer to London Heathrow. We arrived safely at Gatwick but without luggage. We were told we couldn’t file a lost luggage until we arrived in Prague. At lost luggage in Prague a very nice gentleman informed us that somehow our luggage arrived on another flight. No one knew which flight or by which airline. We were quite relieved.

Monday was the longest riding day with 83 miles and three passes. We rode from Ridgeway through Ouray over Red Mountain Pass and down into Silverton for lunch, then over Molas Pass and Coal Bank Pass before heading downhill to Durango. Red Mountain Pass provides incredible scenery, but is heavily traveled, doesn’t have a good shoulder and does have some steep drop-offs. Rich and Martha had some uncomfortable seconds in a tunnel with a semi, but other than that it was a great climb. Everyone made it safely. A walk in the rain to a Mexican restaurant for dinner topped off the day just right.

Tuesday morning we set off for Mesa Verde National Park. We had been forewarned about riding through the unlighted tunnel several miles into the park, so we gathered at the entrance and Laura drove behind us with the headlights on. Still, it was dark!! We had time in the afternoon to visit some of the ruins and then had a great dinner and rounded out the evening on the rooftop patio taking in the spectacular sunset. Jim got a little carried away with his video camera that evening and we’ve made him swear never to give those clips broader distribution!

Wednesday morning was our rest day with a relatively short ride from Mesa Verde to Dolores. We arrived in Dolores by noon and had the rest of the day to relax. We stayed at a quaint little motel/RV park with a great patio down by the river. It was so nice we decided to eat “in.” With a quick trip to the grocery store for some wine, chicken and veggies for the grill, chips and a watermelon, we were set for a great evening. John Hedberg did the honors on the grill and the sky provided a perfect full arch double rainbow.

The Lance Armstrong Foundation Peloton Project 7th Annual Ride for the Roses was a success and a lot of fun.  Without the support of you, our family and friends, we would not have been able to participate.

There were over 6,500 riders registered to ride in the event, though the final count of how many rode on Sunday has not yet been released.  All 50 United States and 25 other countries were represented by the participants.  $7.3 million was raised for the foundation.  That exceeds the $7million goal set to commemorate Lance Armstrong’s 7 Le Tour de France victories.

Thanks to all of you our family was able to contribute over $2065 to the LAFoundation.  We each registered with the minimum $150 and put everything else under Jim’s name which meant he was one of 386 participants who raised more than $1000 and earned a LIVE STRONG jersey.

On Saturday there was the LIVESTRONG Kids Event

We registered to participate in the Family Adventure Challenge Race.  Jim, Victoria, and Katherine made up one team and Rebecca and Stephanie were another team. 

The event started shortly after 8 a.m. at Auditorium Shores in Austin.  It was a great event with 17 challenges to try.  Teams had to complete 11 challenges in order for the children to earn their medals.  It was fun, and sometimes messy, with events like wheelbarrow races t a plate of whipped cream, painting with you nose, and filling a tennis ball container with water poured from a Frisbee.

Grandma and Grandpa and Nana and Pappy were there to watch, encourage and document the fun. 

(Chose Sicily after seeing a travel log on PBS showing the Greek Temples on Sicily. Couldn?t wait to stand beside these ancient ruins.)

We packed up the bike and flew to Rome, then hopped on a smaller plane for the one hour flight to Palermo. A representative from the tour company met us at the airport and transported us to the first bed and breakfast. We got to bed early to ward off our jet lag.

Day 1. Awoke in the morning to a nice howling wind! We had breakfast, and then proceeded to put our Calfee together. We always get a lot of attention from the bike loving Italians when we drag out the parts and create a beautiful tandem! After a quick test ride to check gears, we were off! Our bags are transported to the next town?all we have to do is hop on the bike each morning with the maps and route guide provided and enjoy our day in the saddle.

We rode to Erice the first day?. headwind all day, but who cares when you are riding in a beautiful country that is bike friendly - - and it?s your holiday!

On the way to Erice, the first stop along the way is at Segesta?an ancient Greek Temple and amphitheater. We spent some time exploring the temple, and then hiked the hill to sit in the amphitheater. The amazing thing is, it is still used today for concerts! We spent a few hours here, and then got back on the bike to finish the day?s ride.

The ride was strenuous. Erice sits on the top of a mountain on the west coast of Sicily. We actually rode into the clouds as we peddled up the switchbacks to the town. Our hotel was a wonderful experience, the owner was very nice and the food was fantastic - as well as the wine.

So what do you need to lead a ride? Well a pen is important, because each rider needs to sign the release form, don?t have a release form, they too are on the website, can?t help you with the pen. A clipboard helps, but it is not necessary. OK so you?re half way there, now you need maps. Usually it is good to have about 10 copies of the map, but even if everyone doesn?t have a map that's not a problem, it keeps the group together. Don?t worry about it. You are now ready to begin the ride.

Brief the group on where you will be riding and most important where you will eat after the ride cause that?s the most fun. Once the ride has started it is not your job to stay out in front of everyone, ride at your own pace and enjoy the day. Usually there will be a couple of groups that will develop, those that are faster and those that want to enjoy every inch of the way, so relax and fit in wherever you are comfortable.

So what are you waiting for? Trust me, once you do it you will want to do it over and over again, but first you need to make that initial move. Check the Event Calendar dates for an opening, go to the Main Menu ?Submit Rides? (on the left side of the screen), then sign up to lead one... and you are on your way. Or, you can send an email to rides@coloradotandemclub.org with the ride information you want to post.

Hope this helps, if you have any questions, email me and we?ll make this a pleasant experience.

For years now, Mark Livingood has been keeping an up-to-date posting of all the tandem events known to tandemkind. If you're looking for a rally - it's there at the TheTandemLink.com.

Heading out from Avon on Saturday morning, we managed to avoid the prevailing westerly winds as we rode the 54 miles to Glenwood Springs, descending over 2,000 feet in the process. The route was interesting, especially as we entered the Glenwood Canyon Bike Path. Amazing natural scenery and close-up views of the cantilevered highway underpinnings were highlights of the ride.

On Sunday we headed back toward Avon, this time reclimbing the elevation lost on Saturday. Like clockwork, the west winds picked up at 11am and assisted us with a 15-20mph tailwind all the way back to Avon. Still, the gradual climb was felt by all.

Not the longest rides, but a nice weekend getaway and alternative to the usual day ride/weekend fare. Thumbs up from everyone.

The ride is the largest organized bike tour in the world. It is wonderfully organized, but getting 30,000 riders through the streets of Manhattan, and through Central Park poses some logistic issues ? bottle necks for one!