First off, I want to recommend another website for journal entries complete with pictures from one of the women on the Rocky Route. Please check out www.golibbygo.com, it is well worth the visit!

Today we left Las Animas, CO for Pueblo. Our hosts in Las Animas, all members of First Baptist in town, were once again, simply wonderful. It continues to astound us all how generous people are in giving to this cause. Just about everyday we talk with folks we meet along the way who have been personally affected by cancer and are very appreciative of why we ride. Just last night, in Las Animas, I met a pastor of a local Nazarene church, Peter, who is a cancer survivor for over 30 years. He has such a zest for life and love for people. We ride to help make survival possible for more folks everywhere.

Today is our first full day in CO. Something is different here. It is hard to explain, since the prairies of eastern CO are very similar to those in western KS, but somehow the sky seems deeper blue and the townfolk seem more rugged (in the mountaineering sense). Even at the state border, CO had put up a decorative "Welcome to Colorful Colorado" sign made from logs, unlike most states who use stamped steel. Perhaps this is just my stereotype, but even in eastern CO it seems more mountainous, even though the mountains are still miles away on the horizon. In the words of Brandon Magsamen, "I love this state!"

Tonight, we are staying at Colorado State University--Pueblo. On the way in, a few folks from the university had set up signs for the riders to guide us to the campus. This was the most far-reaching welcome we have received yet, with words emblazoned on the signs such as "T4K Rocks", or "CSU digs T4K", or "Please see arrow above for directions". Once we arrived, the welcome only got better, with each of us having a full dinner and breakfast in the cafeteria and a bed on which to lay our heads.

In a recent journal, I mentioned trouble with my knee. We should never put our full trust in physical abilities (or human abilities, for that matter), and my painful, gimp knee was a gentle reminder of how fragile the body is. However, the body also repairs itself marvelously, and today I was able to average over 20mph for the duration of 84 miles, the first time I have been able to keep up with some of the faster riders in the group in about a week. It was refreshing to wheel along at 30mph, and while my knee is not 100%, and I still can't sprint or push hard with it, soon my knee should be back to full strength.

Tomorrow, some of our more crazed riders will deviate from our standard route from Pueblo to Colorado Springs, and instead will take a more daring climb to 10,199 feet north of Victor, Colorado, which follows up with about 25 miles at around 10,000 feet elevation for a total of 103 miles. The climbs are very strenuous, with a 22% grade at 8,000 feet and some 10-15% grades around 10,000 feet. Sheesh--the altitude is already getting to some of our riders heads! However, these riders are among the strongest of our team, and I expect them to make it with a bit of energy to spare. Indeed, if I were not affected with my knee problems, I'd probably be a taker, as I love to climb. The adventurous riders are: Paul Williams, Mike "Zephyr" West, and John gal-VAN, who will be partially supported by our tireless documentarian, Skip Hobby and his sidekick, Cookie in the Ford Explorer. Other potential victims include Bredt Bredthauer, Laura Noll, and Carly Sturdivant. I'll post back, as I'm sure these folks will as well, with their status when I next have ready internet access.

On another note, we continue to be plagued with mechanical issues on our Trek 1500s which keep me pretty busy during the day and in the evenings. Over the past few days, another Shimano 105 STI lever broke, this time on Mitch Ramon's bike, which is about a $100 fix to replace the STI and roughly a $30 fix to change over to downtube shifters. Libby Peterek dinged up her rear rim a bit yesterday, which fortunately came back to a nearly true condition, but raises the issue of obtaining some 650cc wheels for her, as she is the only rider with non-700cc (standard) road wheels. A few of the Truvative bottom brackets have started clicking, and since they are sealed and non-serviceable, some new BBs will be bought before we exit CO. In addition, wheels come out of true, brake pads run thin, and we keep bringing rain with us everywhere we go, which makes bike cleaning and maintenance more tedious and imperative. Fortunately, I have several folks who want to learn all they can about bike maintenance and repair, so I am showing them everything I know when I get the chance, which eases my load everyday and will prepare the team well for Canada, when bike shops become rare.

Many thanks for all your thoughts, prayers, and letters. These little tokens go a long way to keeping spirits high, especially when the rough days come with mountains to climb, heat to beat, and interpersonal friction to deal with when sleep becomes scarce.

--Andy