|
Kathleen Carrico - Skinny Tire Festival 2007 |
|
|
The Skinny Tire Festival was stupendous, awesome, and incredible! The superlatives just keep running through my head! Just riding out there in Moab is incredible but then to have the chance to visit and ride with members of CCC was icing on the cake. The grandeur and majesty of this place are in a word amazing. I drove through some serious winter weather Thursday to check in and see Phyllis with her silent auction goodies.
Friday morning they shuttled the top fundraisers out to Canyonlands National Park where we rode about 32 miles out on some rollers to Island in the Sky and then back to a nice lunch after which they loaded us on the bus due to overcast skies making it even colder. At 6 am the temp was 27 degrees (uh oh) and by the time we got off the bus and on the bikes it was supposedly 41 (yeah right). It was cold but we warmed up pretty quickly. Snow was everywhere but on the road. The ride was spectacular with frequent stops to see the incredible views. If I had not seen the Grand Canyon I would swear this was it. We passed places with names like Grand View Point and Upheaval Dome. It left me breathless. And I must admit I sent up a little prayer of thanks just for being here on earth and having the opportunity to see this. We rode with Marty Jemison, Chris States, Chris Brewer, Steve Friedman, and Jeff DelPalgetto. Friday night we had a dinner out at Red Cliffs Lodge and got to hear Marty Jemison speak about life as a pro cyclist, Steve Friedman and Chris Brewer speak about the cause so close to our hearts and sampled the Castle Creek Winery's libations. Be sure to check out Steve's pictures for the moonscape we saw that night. My sister Karen arrived after I was asleep just to visit with me.
Saturday the start was delayed due to the cold (sixteen degrees at 6 am I was told). I have never biked in so many layers in my life. Someone said "there is no bad weather, just inappropriate clothing" and truly once moving and bundled up it felt pretty good. I love my Warm Front! The ride was out along the Colorado River on rollers for about 54 miles and we had our domestiques Cb and Chris States along for the ride. Chris States had so much gear in his back pockets that someone said they didn't backpack carrying that much stuff. They pulled and they pushed our teammates along the way. Dave and Ann were on their tandem, Bob on his LiveStrong bike, Sue Nuyda proving she does not need hills to train on, Jeff being so happy and positive all along the way, Cousin Bob providing a nice windbreak and funny stories. I got a real treat at the end of this ride when I somehow ended up in front of the group with our two domestiques and Bob Debski who kept going out in front of them. They pulled me the last 12 miles. I got to see Cb change a tire in seconds flat and when I pulled a little ahead on the home stretch Chris S mentioned something about them pulling me in all that way and then I was pulling in front to finish first. "Well, isn't that your job?" I responded. What a treat. They were great and the view wasn't so bad either if you know what I mean. Thanks guys. That night we had the silent auction with some excellent items. I got a great Nike 10/2 hoodie and very cool metal bike frame perfect for my picture with Lance from RftR. The Mitchell's went home with a most excellent signed print of Lance's SI covers. My sister participated fully in the auctions and I really appreciate her support. She loved meeting all you guys. We were presented with the top fundraisers (Jeff congratulations!) and honoree Chris States (your heartfelt words made me tear up). We had the speakers from Friday night speak to the larger group (thanks for the CCC mention from both Chris's) and then there was a live auction to raise money for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. Skinny raised $201,000 for LAF, $10,000 for Ulman. Later there was an impromptu dinner at Moab Brewery where I got to visit with Steve F and Brock from the Ulman Fund as well as volunteer Vicky.
Sunday it was cold again and off we went to ride 44 miles with a climb of about 12 miles to start. I added to it by riding up a ways with Bob (Captain America) for a couple of miles to warm up and then riding back down to meet up with a couple of friends from home. The second time up I met Ann and Dave on the tandem. At the rest stop at the top of the climb it was too cold to stay long to enjoy the drummers at the aid station so off we went to Dead Horse Point for lunch and to enjoy the view. That part was so cold I must admit thoughts of bailing ran through my head. Glad I didn't do it though as I finally got to ride with Phyllis after lunch back to the start. Sunday night we had another CCC dinner at Pasta Jays.
The Arches National Park Ride on Monday was completely different from the others with five pretty good climbs along the way and about 45 miles. It was astounding scenery to partake of while grinding up or flying down the hills providing plenty of picture opportunities. Sue Nuyda was incredible on those hills even with none at home to practice on, but she does work out with Cindy from Indy so this is no surprise! We had a nice CCC gathering at lunch and then the ride back. The entire experience was one of the most fulfilling ride events I have participated in and I thank Phyllis heartily for sharing it with us and convincing us that we should come out. I'll be back! All of you CCC members inspire me more than I can express.
--
Kathleen Carrico
Colorado Springs, CO
I want to be riding til the sand runs out!
http://portland07.livestrong.org/kathleencarrico
Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. Powered by AkoComment 2.0.3! |
