Christmas Day Ride

Hello Arizona!

More to come

Cycling Hvar Island, Boat trip, or Day off;

We opted for the day off~! What an amazing day!! After an awesome relaxing breakfast and like 5 coffee's we got ready and headed for the beach!!



It's like one of those days that pictures can't really do this place justice! It was just amazing, certainly nothing like what I expected from Croatia.



The beers were fantastic and we were just so happy we were there in September and not during high season, where we really had the opportunity to enjoy this time, with far less people.

I wish I had water shoes, but I made due. Got in the rocky beach, and got off my feet as soon as I could for a little swim. I don't always like to swim, but I just couldn't resist. The weather was warm enough and the waters. It was amazing. The water is so crystal clear. There is little to no pollution in the Adriatic sea by Croatia, and it is very noticeable. You don't see any white foam or anything for that matter. It's crystal clear all the way to the bottom!



After many hours and a few beers, we make our way back to Hvar for night two! It's a lovely place, crowded even in September we can't imagine high season.



By evening we wandered up the steep stairs to the Fortress/Citadel, or whatever you call it. I can do a little more research, but it was a nice hike up the steep hills and awesome views for the top. We were hoping for the amazing sunset we had the day before, but I guess we can't have it all. The sun set as so so, but the view was amazing!



I guess I forgot to note the sunset from yesterday... spectacular!



And so we ride along... Until tomorrow.

Croatia - Off to the Island of Hvar!

Today we pack our bags, leave them in the lobby in hopes they make it safely to our hotel the next day! We hope on our bikes and we are off! Off the Island of Hvar!

Again, not really knowing what to expect we are excited. We now have a better knowledge - what to expect, how to interpret all aspects of the map.



Today - right off the ferry we find ourselves in Vineyards. They just lined the roads! They were gorgeous. We - as you say "stopped to smell the roses" We weren't worries how fast we were going, we were just trying to take it all it. The scenery was different from yesterday - yesterday we had a lot of coastal views, back country - we are still in the country but just roads of grapes.



We continued riding, finding our way, stopping to check the map. Today we see more cyclist than we saw yesterday, we wave and say hi! When we stop to look at the map, typically someone would ask us if we needed help, but we were rather determined to find our own way.... and we did ~ again to lunch!



To this beautiful little town called - Jelsa - totally awesome. We tried the pizza, for lack of creativity. One was the Salty fish - and we all agree - WAY TO SALTY, rather gross, but we tried it.



< We made our way through hills and winding roads, back to Stari Grad to make our way over to the town of Hvar!! This hill was tough, but probably our favorite part of the trip so far! With 10% grades and perseverance! We made it to the top!



We literally got to the top of our 400M climb and took a dancing break.. for a while, enjoyed the views, were proud of our riding skills and just really tried to appreciate the beauty and how lucky we were to be doing this!

So as you do, when there is a restaurant at the top - you stop and have a beer and rehydrate!

Then the best is yet to come.. DOWNHILL!! It was all downhill until the town of Hvar! As long as you can let go and enjoy the ride.. this part was amazing! Wind in your face and knowing that soon we get to enjoy dinner!!

Ohhhhhhhhh and it was a SUPER MOON!!!



What a beautiful Day!

Croatia - Split to the Island of Brac

I arrived into Split yesterday and got settled and ready for our bike adventure! This morning we woke up to bikes outside our front door! It was like Christmas!



We had our breakfast of cheeses and dry cured meat, and amazing coffee. We had our orientation with Pure Adventures and we felt like we were ready to go.

We did a quick little spin around Split - I recommend spending more time there, but I got in too late last night to really get to experience Split and the parks around the area. Next time, right?!

We headed off to see some views before our ferry ride to the Island of Brac

We found our way around town and onto the ferry ride to start our adventure of the day! Not knowing what to expect -



The Hills were tough but worth it, we found the PERFECT spot for lunch, although it took us a bit, the woman was wonderful, and we ordered Black Risotto, which I learned was Black because of the ink of the squid - I should say cuddle fish, which just sounds too cute. We also had a little Octopus Salad and of course - Pivo - a very tasty and awesome beer!



We then hit the hard hills and were so glad we had such a fantastic lunch!

We really learned a lot on our first day! A lot of problem solving skills, map reading skills, how to work together and motivate one another. The most rewarding was enjoying the food at the end of the day. We earned it! We worked for it. It really doesn't get much better.

We Rode nearly 30 miles today! 3,117ft in elevation gain. The toughest I have ever done. Hallie and Lindsey loved it, hated some parts of it, but at the end it is so rewarding, we can't wait to get on our bikes tomorrow!

Bike Back

While scoping out a ride for our Denver Mile High Rotary Ride

I hit the South Platte Trail heading North toward the Clear Creek Trail.

While on my way I passed about 50 Over the Hill Gang all out on a ride. While I rode behind them for a bit, I decided to pass them, saying the "on your left" then they all start yelling down the line.. "Bike Back, Bike Back, Bike Back"... It made me laugh.
Still new to biking, I now know what Bike Back means :)

As my ride goes along, this is how I felt after hitting the Clear Creek 64th Ave Detour... while they detoured ON THE HIGHWAY... with cars zooming past at 70 miles an hour, it was a little daunting.


I know I have said this before about cyclists, but everyone is so happy while riding a bike! I stopped somewhere at the crossroads of the South Platte and the Clear Creek Trail a lady asked me where I was headed. I said I was trying to find the Clear Creek Trail. She said I was heading in the right direction, there are some detours and it takes you along the highway. If it wasn't for her, I definitely would have given up at the 64th and Pecos detour and turned around, but because of her advice, I found myself on highway. It took me far too long to find my way, and the detour signs where horrible.


I don't know if you can see this picture but there are arrows pointing in EVERY direction. I pretty much gave up and made my own way home.

I did find the perfect spot at 55th and Lowell to meet for our Rotary Ride. That I only found by chance... not thanks to the signs.

Until Next time.. I will finish the rest of this route..

It's been a long time since I have been on my bike. Life has gotten in the way. August was filled with hiking and camping and weekends away discovering Colorado in other way.

Yesterday, was my first day of "vacation" where I had a little down time and had the chance to ride. While nothing was eventful or even special about my ride, I was grateful to get out.

Feeling rather weak, and even the littlest hills killed me, I managed to get out for 24 miles and dream about the fact in just over 3 weeks I will be in Croatia.


You can't complain when Colorado is your back drop. I can ride to this from my front door.

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The Courage Classic

I was invited to ride with the Courage Classic this year with the COGA Elite Cycling team on Sunday, July 19th, 2015.

The Courage Classic this year was a long weekend from July 18-20. While this ride has been going on since the 80's, this was my first year hearing about it.

From the Official Website... Last year, the 25th Courage Classic raised a record-breaking $2.9 million for nearly 200,000 patients at Children’s Hospital Colorado!

Courage Classic fundraising supports Children’s Hospital Colorado’s continued efforts to provide pediatric health care excellence to every child that walks through our doors like Annalisa. Diagnosed with lung disease as an infant, Annalisa depends on Children's Colorado. In 2014 we served over 200,000 infants, kids, and teens. As the region's only all-inclusive non-profit pediatric hospital, we rely on and greatly appreciate the contributions of our supporters to make a difference for our patients and their families.

Just weeks before, this is how it started.. Christina got roped in, and now by peer pressure and support, she has a brand new bike, a jersey, and has even done the Colorado passes her first real ride out!


Keeping this short, while the COGA elite cycling team ultimately did laps around us (whether it was laps around the high school running track, extra passes, up and down hills), they stayed with us, cheered us along, coached us and Taylor even helped push a few people up the hills.

It made me think, Taylor was born a coach, a mentor, a guide. He rode along side the slowest person, always had his eye on his riders, he teaches boys how to become men. Even toward the end he had a few words of coaching for me. I thought to myself, how awesome would it be to have a coach in your life, how everyone should have a coach in their life. To cheer them on, help them get over the hard parts, make it seem easy, where without the coach, may seem hard. Make it seamless to reach that next level.





Yet another new experience! Another way for my bike to get out of Denver and explore the wonderful bike trails of Colorado. The opportunity to ride in something that is bigger than just riding. Community.

Through it all, Christina thanked me for being a part of this, where I was the one grateful for having the opportunity to be a part of this.

1st Annual Denver Mile High Rotary Ride

The Denver Mile High Rotary Club decided to do a ride of our own this year! Enjoy the Fellowship that Rotary has to offer and raise funds for Mental Health Awareness. It turned out to be a wonderful day!

With a 7am Start ~ well maybe 7:20 ~ We hit the pavement riding. All 13 of us, mostly road bikes but even a few mountain bikes.


This is a fun Fellowship Ride, our 1st Annual and we wanted to see how it went and, smoothless at that. At Mile 8 we were met by Diane and Pat at our first water Stop!

At Mile 16, we all regathered and were met by our very own President Bob Kemp, who decided his wheels needed a motor, so he showed up on his motorcycle, and Roberta, who made this water stop happen!

We made out way back toward Denver, and the day could not have gotten any better! The weather was fantastic, everyone had such a wonderful time. I was left with the idea, that was created sometime in February was coming to full fruition and it felt good!!

We got just that, Fun, Fellowship, perfect weather, we have a cause, and everyone came together.

Only to be followed up with a nice cold brew at the Denver Ale House.

To a job well done! Cheers!