07 July 2012

Hartsel to Frisco CO 54 miles (TransAm 2,411)

Hoosier Pass. Sounds like it should be somewhere in Indiana rather than Colorado. But there it is – Hoosier Pass – and Team TransAm has successfully climbed up it and then coasted right back down. I don’t know what the big deal is – it’s only 11,539 feet high. Child’s play. Gina, sadly, in the “Hey We Made It” photos, does not appear to have captured the polka dot jersey. Instead, it looks like her Mom, who caught up with Gina and the team in their Rocky Mountain layover town of Frisco, may have taken the honor – Dottie wearing dots. Never again must you wonder why I call her Mama Dot.

I particularly like this view-from-the-top photo:

Gorgeous mountains in the background, big strong trucks pulling even bigger trailers in the foreground. From what I’ve heard, that about sums up the Colorado riding thus far. In fact, Gina has rated the Colorado drivers the worst over the past six states, and this comes from one born and raised in Denver. I’d say it’s time you stepped it up, Colorado. Better call on your inner-Tebow and say a few prayers for everyone’s safety.

Back here at home, it was another beautiful summer day and, being Saturday, meant it was another great day for cycling around our beautiful state. Enter the “TransSnohomish.” This is a fantastic ride – flat (no passes to hump over), on a dedicated bike path (no bad drivers to worry about), and scenic (green trees, blue lakes, and brown horses). And, it comes with friends Christine and Paul, who pick you up, throw your bike on their car (but not first without an intensive discussion over whether or not the bike rack actually will hold three bikes and if those bikes are insured), and escort you to the start, along the way, and to the finish. A finish which can only be at the local Snohomish-town mexican restaurant, on an outdoor patio with cold Coronas and views of the river. I say two thumbs up on the TransSnohomish.