Hopkins 4K for Cancer

July 6, 2002

Day 35 (78 Miles) Wiggins, CO to Longmon
We sighted the Rockies today! It was truly one of the most memorable experiences of the whole trip. We knew they would be coming into view any time, but actually seeing them was still truly breathtaking. This morning we had gone a pretty tough 20 miles into a headwind. Rajeev, Dave Courson and I were in front, and, after reaching the top of a small hill, we saw them far off in the distance (80 miles or more). It took me a few moments to recognize what they were. Rajeev shouted “Rockies” and we all got really excited. We stopped for a few minutes, and then kept riding. They gradually grew larger throughout day. We could see the tops covered with snow. As we rode closer, we began to make out depth and texture. The whole day was absolutely amazing, and gave everyone a huge morale boost (at least temporarily, as we’ll soon be biking across them). After that first hill, the road seemed to go straight into the mountains. It was an illusion though; the sights and towns on the side of the road kept changing while the distant mountains only gradually loomed closer. We’re right up next to them now in Longmont. I clearly see glaciers on the peaks, which seem to rise into the clouds. We’re staying at Kelly’s uncle Jim’s house. He’s a real cool guy. We traded travel stories with him, he fed us an awesome chicken and rice dinner, and showed us his many, many snakes and other reptiles.

Tomorrow we only have a 30 mile day into Estes Park, but we climb 2,500 feet. The day after that we bike through Rocky Mountain National Park to over 12,000 ft. of elevation. We’re almost a mile up now, and I fear the altitude may prove to be our worst enemy. We also saw smoke this morning from the wildfires. It was much further south, so hopefully we’ll be ok.

We’re all nervous about finally entering the Rockies after all this time and anticipation. We’re also extraordinarily excited about them. The feeling today was indescribable. I started to get a bit emotional about it. To see snow on the caps of distant mountains and be able to say, “I rode my bike here” gives a feeling none of us could have imagined a month ago. We’re all anxious to see what spectacular adventures the Colorado Rockies will bring, and to test out our climbing legs, which haven’t got too much work since the Appalachians. We don’t know what the coming days and weeks will bring. Hopefully they won’t disappoint!

-Travis Snow