Reparations for a Wasted Youth
I grew up in Grand Junction, Colorado, and went to junior high and high school in Fruita, Colorado. And — get this — I didn’t even own a bike. Certainly, it’ s understandable that I didn’t own a mountain bike. If I had, then Klunkerz would have been about me.
But, thanks to last weekend, I think I will always be angry at my younger self for not having owned a road bike.
Because last Saturday — 30 years after my family moved to Grand Junction — I finally took the time to ride the Colorado National Monument.
And it is about as tasty a road ride as there could ever be.
What Is the Colorado National Monument?
If you ever drive to or through Grand Junction, Colorado, there is one thing that dominates the background:
Yes, that dramatic sandstone backdrop is the Colorado National Monument. And there is a nice paved road that goes up one end — in Fruita — and comes down the other end — in Grand Junction — traversing along the top and giving you stunning views all along the way. Riding the whole thing is a 35-or-so-mile-loop.
And yeah, seriously, I’ve never ridden it before.
I just kicked myself again, for good measure.
Starting With Rocky
My brother-in-law Rocky and I started the ride together from his house. After checking in at the toll booth — they check to make sure you have working lights on your bike, both front- and rear-facing, because of a couple tunnels along the way — we started the climb from the Fruita side. Here’s the base of the climb:
It’s steep, but nowhere near as killer (either in grade or total altitude gained) as climbing the Alpine Loop.
It sure looks different, though.
You see how perfect that pavement looks? Smooth. Unblemished. Almost creamy, really. Well, that’s how it felt, too. Really, some of the nicest-feeling pavement I’ve ever been on. And on a road bike, that’s such a pleasure.
So about the time I got into my climbing groove, Rocky’s bike started ghost-shifting and having conniptions. In a few moments, the chain shifted all the way off the cassette, jamming between the cassette and the spokes.
That’s always fun.
I went back and noticed that Rocky’s derailleur problems were the least of his worries. He had a couple places on his rear tire that were completely worn-through; tube was bulging out.
I told Rocky I didn’t want to ride down the Monument with someone whose rear tire could — and probably would — go at any moment. Rocky agreed that it wasn’t really that great of a day to die, and turned around.
Tourist Mode
So now I didn’t have anyone I needed to impress with my climbing prowess. Which meant I could do this ride in full-on tourist mode.
I began stopping whenever I saw something cool, pulling out the camera, and taking a shot.
This happened pretty darned often.
The climb lasts three or four miles. I stopped often and wasn’t pushing hard anyway, so it felt like an easy climb. I expect that perception would have changed if I had really attacked the climb.
But you know, it was about 70 degrees and the scenery was beautiful and I was in no rush. So I just spun up, nice and easy. Loving the fact that I can call a climb like this “easy” right now.
‘Course, it’s still not a trivial climb.
Up Top
Once you’ve done the big initial climb, the road on the Monument rolls a bit, but nothing severe — I remember it as feeling pretty much flat, leaving me free to look up and see stuff.
Imagine that.
Riding, I thought to myself that I spend too much time on my bike focusing on my bike and how I’m riding it, instead of looking around and seeing where I am at the moment. When I consider that the bike — mountain or road — gives you the ability to see things slowly enough to notice them, and fast enough that you don’t just see one thing the whole day, I realize that I am sometimes a fool. I’ve got the fitness to carry me to see incredible stuff.
I need to take the time to notice it.
Oh, and to take pictures of myself, too.
I like this photo because it clearly demonstrates my head is larger than a major geologic formation (Independence Monument). That’s what happens when you’re a beloved cycling blogger celebrity type.
I also like the way my glasses reveal how I took the shot. In my right lens you can see my shadow — me holding the camera up at full arm’s length. In my left lens you can see the reflection of my arm holding up that camera.
And with all that work, I still didn’t smile. What’s my problem, anyway?
Rocky Catches Up
I figured that I was on my own for the duration, but Rocky is cleverer than that. He dashed home, swapped wheels, and rode up the Monument in the opposite direction. He met me at Cold Shivers Point, an overlook with a several hundred-foot drop.
I made sure to get a picture of Rocky. He always has such awesome helmet hair.
Actually, the helmet ridges in his hair used to be a lot more prominent than they are nowadays. I wonder what’s changed?
Finally, to make my feelings for my road bike perfectly clear, I got Rocky to get this shot:
You’ll just have to trust that I’m telling the truth when I say that I’m kissing the top tube, not licking it. I’m not saying that I don’t lick the top tube, just that I don’t do it in public.
A few days ago I asserted that anyone who isn’t a mountain biker should be envious of those of us who are. Today, I’d like to say that anyone who doesn’t love road riding needs to get their head checked.
The fact is, bikes are just really cool. I highly recommend them.
And I still can’t believe that I waited until now to do this ride.
Comment by buckythedonkey | 09.21.2009 | 12:37 am
How I love your Monday morning classics! Have a great week everybody!
Comment by LidsB2 | 09.21.2009 | 12:40 am
You have given me yet another place to add to my list of places I must ride. That looks most beautiful. Thanks!
Comment by leon | 09.21.2009 | 12:54 am
If that were my bike I’d lick it too. And not just on the top tube. Somehow that doesn’t come out right.
Great shots!
Comment by bee | 09.21.2009 | 1:08 am
I was in colorado about 10 years ago, with no interest in physical activity. Now I would give anything to go back and ride in the mountains. Too bad life keeps me in good ol’ upstate N.Y.
great read as always Fatty
Comment by brian | 09.21.2009 | 1:09 am
Nice. I live/cycle in GJ and it is indeed surrounded by lovely places like this.
Comment by sarah | 09.21.2009 | 1:49 am
wow, now i really want to go to colorado! thanks for the photographs.
Comment by Frank | 09.21.2009 | 2:44 am
I really need to see more of the country. Beautiful landscapes! Enjoy the week and ride like the wind :)
Comment by Niall @ Brisvegas | 09.21.2009 | 3:25 am
Thanks Elden. I am stuck on this side of the Big Pond wishing I was on the other side riding some of the places you get to. My only consolation is that summer is around the corner.
Comment by chefjt | 09.21.2009 | 3:34 am
Amazing photograph. I’d kiss that bike too!
Hope you and the kids are well.
Comment by Marina | 09.21.2009 | 4:17 am
OK, the thing that really impressed me from your portrait was your cheek hollows … no sign of fatty there, rather gaunt.
Comment by Shiny Flu | 09.21.2009 | 4:31 am
Niiiice.
Comment by Amy Hoover | 09.21.2009 | 4:33 am
Since you’re taking so many pix of yourself, I think you need one of these:
http://www.xshotpix.com/mediakit.php
In case the link doesn’t work, it’s called an X Shot Camera Extender. It screws into the bottom of your camera so you can extend the length of your arm and take better pix with yourself in the frame.
That might also help with the perception that your head is bigger than a geological formation, but maybe not. As a fellow cranially enhanced person, I can sympathize.
Comment by Lizzylou | 09.21.2009 | 4:56 am
The great thing about road bikes is that you can get them up there for posed-kissing shots with ease. With a mountain bike, you have to remember to lift from the knees. And being a cyclist with an emaciated upper body, holding the mountain bike in position for long enough becomes difficult.
Comment by Mikeonhisbike | 09.21.2009 | 5:56 am
Nice pics fatty. For a minute there I thought this was a Jill Homer post.
Comment by Jessica @ How Sweet It Is | 09.21.2009 | 6:43 am
Looks like an incredible ride. Nice pics!
Comment by Marilyn | 09.21.2009 | 6:56 am
I need the winning powerball lottery ticket so I can travel and ride in places like and of course buy a sweet bike like that to ride on. In the mean time it is a recovery ride for me today after my 4th century this year yesterday.
Comment by Brent | 09.21.2009 | 7:34 am
I spent a couple of early years of my life in Grand Junction (1973-1975). I lived like 5 miles from the monument. Actually, if you look really hard you can see my parents old house in one of the pictures there as they lived really close. When I would come home to visit from college I would ride that, as it use to be part of the Coors classic. My dad use to work for the BLM and actually came up with the plan, for Kokapelli’s trail as he was the district manager for GJ back then.
Comment by jeff | 09.21.2009 | 7:45 am
I rode the Monument as part of BTC this summer. What a great place for a ride!
http://jeff-road.blogspot.com/2009/07/colorado-national-monument.html
Comment by Linda | 09.21.2009 | 7:49 am
What a great ride…I would love to ride a route like that someday. Thanks for stopping and taking pics.
Hope that top tube was tasty.
Comment by nonplussed cyclist | 09.21.2009 | 7:51 am
top 20?
Comment by Derek | 09.21.2009 | 7:58 am
Will we hear similar stories about mountainbiking here? You passed Tabeguache on your way out which is some of the best technical XC riding anywhere. Please tell me you brought the fat tires along or that you have at least ridden them before.
Comment by Sue | 09.21.2009 | 7:58 am
Thanks for reminding us to look around when we ride. It doesn’t always have to be about performance.
Comment by Bash | 09.21.2009 | 8:00 am
So. Freakin’. Jealous.
Comment by GenghisKhan | 09.21.2009 | 8:06 am
I’m surprised Rocky didn’t have to help you lift the Orbea in that last shot–it’s gotta weigh what, a back-breaking 18 pounds or so? Sigh.
Oh, looks like a nice ride!
Comment by g | 09.21.2009 | 8:06 am
Hey, I’ve been to Fruita! Do you know any McBrides from there? Horse people.
Comment by Fuzzy | 09.21.2009 | 8:07 am
What I said re “A matter of Some Urgency” Fatty ;-)
Luv ‘n Stuff
Fuzzy from the UK
Comment by wing-nut | 09.21.2009 | 8:12 am
I’ve just got to go. How much of the year is good riding weather?
Here is the mapmyride link:
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/co/grand-junction/371615756575
Comment by BikecopVT | 09.21.2009 | 8:21 am
It is amazing how many distinctly different landscapes you can ride through in this country. I really need to explore a few more of them. Great pictures, Colorado is now on my list.
Fight Like Susan!
LiveStrong!
Comment by wing-nut | 09.21.2009 | 8:23 am
Not that he is, but Rocky needs a fat Cyclist jersey. At the very least he needs a Twin 6.
Comment by Ryan | 09.21.2009 | 8:27 am
How did I not know you’re from Grand Junction?!? I grew up there too, and I agree, it’s an awesome bike town. Between the Monument, close proximity to Moab, and roads wide enough my mom felt comfortable letting me ride all over town in my pre-car teens… man, I miss it.
Comment by Gaye | 09.21.2009 | 8:28 am
Very cool! I drove through the monument a few years ago, before I fell in love with cycling. Your report tells me I need to go back and do it on a bike!
Comment by Maik | 09.21.2009 | 8:36 am
I bet the weather’s perfect in Junction right now. That IS a gorgeous place to ride a bike.
But then again, there are a lot more goatheads (tackweed, whatever) around there. Those things are NASTY!
Comment by Justin | 09.21.2009 | 8:39 am
Fatty: Di2? Good? Great? Greater?
Looks like an awesome ride… have inspired me not only to get less fat and ride more, but to enjoy it, and take some photos. Livestrong is helping too with goal setting and motivation!
Go Fatty!
Comment by Jodi J. | 09.21.2009 | 8:43 am
Do your kids ride with you? Do they have any interest in it? Especially your boys? What do you do with your kids while you are riding? They may not think so now but quality time with dad is priceless.
They were on a hike with Grandma.
So, what were your kids doing while you read and commented this blog post? Were they looking at the pictures? Did they type the vowels? You may not think so now, but quality time reading blogs together with mom is priceless. – FC
Comment by Bryan (not that one) | 09.21.2009 | 8:49 am
Cool post, Fatty. Beautiful pictures.
Comment by JJPN | 09.21.2009 | 9:20 am
Response to wing-nut’s question: How much of the year is good riding weather?
In GJ we ride almost year round. Now is the absolute best time of year, until November. Summers are hot but rideable in the am. Winters cold but usually dry. Last year we were only off the trails for 6 weeks due to snow.
Road riding here is superb, and the Tabaguache trails right below the Monument are world-class, technical, rocky, tough-ass singletrack trails. Hey, GJ mountain biking gals — where are you? All I ever see are guys out there!
Thanks for the inspiration, Fatty. I’m off to ride the Monument now.
Jackie
Comment by Brian | 09.21.2009 | 9:28 am
Ahhh, this reminds me of the *classic* movie ‘American Flyers’ when they ride the Monument. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_cmolFXIaQ
Wow, Awesome ;)
Comment by Kevin M | 09.21.2009 | 9:28 am
one word…Jealous.
I can only make it up by going camping in Moab in a couple weeks. Thanks for the pics, E.
FLS
Livestrong
PS..Your kids a lucky to go to some great outdoor places with you.
Comment by dug | 09.21.2009 | 9:41 am
you should dibs that bike before someone else does.
Comment by HomeMadeBiscuitEater | 09.21.2009 | 10:03 am
What a beautiful ride! Thanks for sharing that ride with us! Here is GA we have been getting rain since Tuesday, so it is especially nice this morning to see those beautiful blue skies above the mountains.
Comment by Jenny-Jenny | 09.21.2009 | 10:06 am
What’s done is done. At least you can now say you’ve done it and just maybe you’ll do it again. Maybe it’s time to get those boys of yours out with you before they start having regrets.
Comment by Haven (used to be Kt) | 09.21.2009 | 10:23 am
JennyJenny, the kids were on a hike with Gramma. Gramma-time is not to be missed.
His kids have gone riding with him– I’ve seen the photos. In this one instance, they were not with him.
Everyone needs to lay off Fatty’s parenting skillz. Just because he doesn’t blog about the kids and what he’s doing as a father at every single moment of the day doesn’t mean he’s a total slacker cyclist dude who would rather spend every moment riding than spend time with his kids. Geez.
On Topic: Great shots. Looks like a great ride, you need to stop making us jealous. Oh, and the reason you’re not smiling in your self portrait: You are concentrating on NOT DROPPING THE CAMERA. Been there, done that. :)
Comment by Cyclin' Missy | 09.21.2009 | 10:37 am
That looks amazing! I wish I lived in Colorado. Or Utah, for that matter.
Comment by Brendan | 09.21.2009 | 10:55 am
Man, oh man, is that i sweet rig you have. glad to see it is getting the use it deserves.
Comment by DWalker | 09.21.2009 | 11:03 am
I was relieved to read the caption on the final picture. I though maybe your chain broke on the climb near the finish.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIW1MAvyPD4
Comment by Lloyd | 09.21.2009 | 11:28 am
I moved from Salt Lake to Grand Junction in 1982. Love living there (but my now-ex wife did not, so we moved back). Never rode the monument either… gonna have to remedy that one.
Comment by UtahChunk | 09.21.2009 | 12:06 pm
Nice looks like a great ride.
BTW… Did you ride AF canyon this morning. I think I passed you in my car as you came out. Looked like a Orca but couldn’t tell if they had a Fatty Jersey on. Whoever it was had a sick bike!
I did. New personal best on the climb from the toll booth to the summit parking lot: 53:11. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to boast. – FC
Comment by AngieG | 09.21.2009 | 12:11 pm
Awesome pics FC! We are all drooling. Your right, there is a lot of beautiful country and we get the opportunity to really see it while we ride. At least thats always my excuse when my girlfriend Karen drops my sorry hiny on the climbs. :-)
Have a great week FC!
Comment by jp18d | 09.21.2009 | 12:42 pm
Looks like a great venue for the next Fatty Livestrong challenge…
Comment by MattC | 09.21.2009 | 12:46 pm
The only riding I’ve ever done in Colo is the Springs area (Mt biking only…didn’t have my rd bike w/ me)…the Cheyene Cyn area is pretty awesome! But I have just added GF/Fruita to my “MUST get there someday w/ bikes” list. It’s a looooooong list tho. Kind of like my travel list (where do I want to travel to? Answer: EVERYWHERE!) Funny how I let my JOB keep me from doing things like that. I was really impressed w/ what Jill did…taking the entire summer off and riding/traveling. That would surely be something. Not sure when I can afford to take an entire summer off tho. But I can dream. Gotta have dreams. (and just a side-note: I’m guessing that most ANY pavement is “Creamy” under that Orca…I think even cobblestones would ‘near-creamy’. I’d sure be happy to find out someday.
Comment by MattC | 09.21.2009 | 12:50 pm
oops…That was s’posed to be “GJ/Fruita”…or maybe it was me thinking ‘Grand Fruita?
Comment by Dan | 09.21.2009 | 1:04 pm
You forgot to state that there was absolutely no rock throwing… Right?
Comment by Clydesteve | 09.21.2009 | 1:51 pm
As far as your youthful indescretion, if you were Nobby the House Elf, you would beat your forehead bloody on the slate hearth as a means of self punishment. Which might have ruined your head.
So it is just as well that you just noticed that you were a fool for not having a bike when you were younger, and lived so near such a great ride.
Comment by Eric | 09.21.2009 | 2:08 pm
Eldon, if you’ve done a post on your camera, sorry for a repeat question. What sort of camera do you take with you on your rides and do you do anything special to protect it from sweat if & when it’s jammed into a back pocket on your jersey?
Don’t be too hard on yourself about your misspent youth. Nothing you probably could’ve ridden could hold a candle to your droolicious Orbea. The Nishiki Olympic I had as a teen certainly wouldn’t.
I carry a Canon TX-1, in a zip-up neoprene case. It fits very nicely in a jersey pocket. When I turn the camera off, the lens retracts into the body of the camera and a metal slider closes over it. This is good for dirt and grit, but I figure it wouldn’t keep out the sweat, so that’s what the neoprene case is for.
It’s a good little camera, but a couple years old, so I don’t think Canon even makes it anymore. – FC
Comment by JB | 09.21.2009 | 2:26 pm
Fatty, Back to back great posts with pics! It is great that you are stopping to smell the roses a bit with your rides. It doesn’t always have to be head down punish your body angry riding. I rode that ride in my younger days not long after American Flyer was released. It is beautiful.
Comment by GJ Jackie | 09.21.2009 | 2:28 pm
As I rode past Cold Shivers Point today I air-kissed my trusty 10 year old Trek 2200 (in your honor) and thanked God that I live and ride in a place this beautiful. Thanks again for motivating me to ditch work and get out.
Let us know when you’re back in GJ!
Comment by Pete McPhedran | 09.21.2009 | 2:28 pm
It truly is beautiful, but I can’t shake the fact that it looks like a Road Runner(TM) cartoon. Especially that 6th pic. I am sure the Coyote(tm) ran in to that “fake” tunnel a few times!
(TM) – someone, I don’t know who, but it isn’t mine ;-)
Thanks for sharing
–Pete
Yeah, those formations definitely are reminiscent of Road Runner cartoons. I thought that same thing a number of times during the ride. – FC
Comment by 100poundsago | 09.21.2009 | 2:32 pm
I was also in Colorado this past weekend, Colorado Springs to be exact. I was painfully jealous of their silky smooth roads, thier cycling lanes and general positive attitude about cycling. Unfortunately I was there to play bagpipes in a Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony so no cycling for me.
Comment by Okiecalvin | 09.21.2009 | 2:39 pm
Really, you have to mention someones lack of follicles? Such a great post destroyed by that comment. :-(
Comment by daddyo | 09.21.2009 | 2:48 pm
e,
put cheyenne canon (colorado springs) on your to do list for climbs. it’s a religious experience. if you get a chance, get someone to take you up Independence Monument. it’s a great rock climb.
Comment by Aaron | 09.21.2009 | 2:49 pm
Awesome ride. Ya know, for a ROAD ride.
Comment by Clydesteve | 09.21.2009 | 2:58 pm
So, WHERE are these head & tail lights in the top tube lickin’ pic?
Comment by Hillman | 09.21.2009 | 3:13 pm
What…no rocks pitched over the side this time? Or at least not any published photos of such activity.
Comment by Joel P. | 09.21.2009 | 4:50 pm
Took your advice and went on a stop and smell the roses ride this afternoon. I saw 8 dead skunks 1 squashed snake and the aftermath of a high speed chase involving 6 State Police cruiser’s and a kid on a “rice rocket”, who was in handcuffs as I rode by. My self portrait would have been of me sitting on a big rock changing out my back tube at the 20 mile mark. Still all and all it beat staying home and mowing my lawn.
Joel P.
Comment by Metric Jason | 09.21.2009 | 5:09 pm
Great post and pictures Fatty! Definitely adding this to my list of rides to do some day under the Colorado subheading.
Comment by Charisa | 09.21.2009 | 5:36 pm
Rocky’s hair rocks – sorry, I couldn’t help that one!
Now this is a NICE post – something about road bikes and how awesome they are :)
Comment by PennyPue | 09.21.2009 | 5:58 pm
Gorgeous ride!But I think I’d have been sitting at the side of the road BEGGING Rocky to bring a car to portage me to the top.
Comment by Beast Mom | 09.21.2009 | 6:02 pm
“my head is larger than a major geologic formation”
*snicker*
-bm
Comment by bo | 09.21.2009 | 9:17 pm
It seems that you were in Colorado on a certain weekend with other significance to your lifestyle choices. It is only about 3.5 hours to Durango from Grand Junction…
Yeah, but I didn’t go race the SS World Championships. Some other year maybe? – FC
Comment by Kathleen | 09.21.2009 | 9:37 pm
Ditto what Charisa said!
Beautiful ride – simply stunning. Looks like I need to add Colorado to my list of places to go. Let’s get Livestrong to do a ride there!
I did a tri yesterday and for the first time I noticed what was going on around me. Like the changing leaves on the trees. It was a refreshing way to do a race. Slow, but refreshing.
Comment by Ted Heise | 09.21.2009 | 10:06 pm
Beautiful scenery, Elden–thanks for sharing the photos. I love Colorado too, having grown up in Nebraska and vacationed in the mountains many summers. Spent a summer with a friend in Olathe, lived in Denver several years, and have backpacked out North of Leadville. The drive on I-80 from Denver to Grand Junction is still one of my all-time favorites, at least in part due to the incredible changes in terrain all along the way.
I got to ride the other side of Grand Junction a few years ago when Ride the Rockies went up and over the Grand Mesa. That has to be one of my favorite rides of all time.
Comment by aspiring cyclist | 09.22.2009 | 6:44 am
I grew up in Colorado also (now in Nevada). This post has me ITCHING to go do that ride. I’m already making plans…
Comment by Dan O | 09.22.2009 | 7:55 am
It doesn’t matter when you started riding, just as long as you started.
Life is good
Comment by UtahChunk | 09.22.2009 | 10:03 am
@Fatty! 53:11! Dang that is fast! Must be the Quads!!! I have been climbing it 2-3 times a week this year. First time was 1hr 20 min. down to 1hr 7min now as of 3 weeks ago. I have a long way to go to even get close to that time!
Comment by Mike Roadie | 09.22.2009 | 10:17 am
Perfectly beautiful!!!!
Comment by Sprocketboy | 09.22.2009 | 11:18 am
I actually rode the National Monument a few years ago, before heading off to Moab for the Skinny Tire Festival. A very beautiful ride. Interestingly, in the washroom in the visitors’ center is a sign telling you not to feed furry little squirrel critters in the park as they might be carrying bubonic plague. And Fatty–a reference to Fruita with no mention of Mike the Headless Chicken? Is this blog not meant to educate as well as entertain?
Comment by MikeL | 09.22.2009 | 11:38 am
Interesting timing. We had a similar revelation last weekend.
Last Saturday my wife and I rode the Century Tour in Moab. Nice ride.
On Sunday we wanted a recovery ride so we went down to the Needles District of Canyonlands. There are only around 8 miles of paved roads but it was the most enjoyable ride we have had all year. No GPS. No training. No purpose except to ride and look and enjoy. Sometimes we can forget why we ride.
We drive past the Colorado National Monument on the way to Moab and talk about it. I think we will actually have to stop now.
Comment by Powerful Pete | 09.22.2009 | 12:19 pm
And each time I visited Colorado I only rode around the dang Chatfield reservoir road in Denver. Now I am really annoyed. I had never heard of Grand Junction or that road… Grrr…
Wonderful pics, by the way. And I wish I had as much hair as your brother-in-law…
Comment by Jason Mitchell | 09.22.2009 | 1:54 pm
The Colorado National Monument is one of the best road rides in the Western USA… if not anywhere. It’s not that far from SLC, but just far enough to be out of mind. Seeing your pictures is taking me back. Awesome… simply awesome!
Comment by Jeb | 09.22.2009 | 3:19 pm
1. Two enormous, marginally iconic monoliths in one picture is one enormous, marginally iconic monotlith too many
2. Are you flexing your jaw muscles and pooching your lips (blue steel-like)in the self-taken photo, kind of like you flex your shorty legs when you photograph them? It looks practiced, i.e. in front of the mirror at home. Are you really that needy?
3. Nice scenery. It looks like a great ride.
Comment by Ryan | 09.23.2009 | 10:05 am
Wow, GO GLAD you posted this blog!! I am relocating to Grand Junction from SLC in 3 weeks, and had resigned to spending most of my time on my mountain bike rather than a roadie. SO happy to see such a world class road ride right out of my neighborhood!!!!!!
Fantastic pics too. So cool…made my day Fatty!
Comment by Stephanie | 09.23.2009 | 6:18 pm
I was through that area this weekend – but the final destination was Moab for my first ever Century with Team in Training. We raised $350,000, by the way!! And it was a heckuva ride. I would love to ride the Monument some day – my fiance lived in GJ for a few years and likes that ride too.
Comment by Keith G. | 09.23.2009 | 8:05 pm
I live nowhere near Colorado, but it sounds like this is one ride I need to add to my wish list.
Comment by robyn | 09.24.2009 | 11:09 am
i just had an argument with a friend [non-cyclist] that biking is foreplay and licking a sweaty saddle is the best way to clean it.
Comment by Randall Smith | 09.26.2009 | 5:17 am
Hate to say it, but that close up portrait shot reminds me of Zoolander.
Comment by Alice | 09.27.2009 | 7:46 pm
Better late than never!
Comment by Chelle | 09.28.2009 | 10:36 am
Hey, I’ve been reading your blog all this time and I had no idea you were from here! (I live a few blocks from FMHS).
Comment by CMM (9-yr BC survivor) | 09.29.2009 | 3:45 pm
Looks like a great ride, but the helmet hair doesn’t quite compare to my hubby’s.