Bicycle Adventurer followed an intrepid rider, Jimmy Rivera, as he makes his way over 99 treacherous miles in the Colorado Rockies!
B.A. Why did you decide to ride from Keystone to Denver, Colorado.
Jimmy Rivera Well, you know, I am a member of a spiritual group in Denver and I don't have a car. I started thinking about how I could ride my bike to Denver.
B.A. Did that route present challenges?
Jimmy Rivera Sure did present problems. I have ridden on many of the Summit county paths, I did a trip to Glenwood, but there is no bike path that takes you through the mountains to Denver. You have to find a road for many sections of the route. I love doing things not many others have done.
B.A. What about the mountains?
Jimmy Rivera Geez, the mountains were a huge challenge. First, I had to get over Loveland Pass. Another guy said it took him 6 hours. That is a long time for an amateur rider to pedal uphill.
B.A. How did it go?
Jimmy Rivera I did it in 4 hours, but it was the toughest riding of my career. First, the shoulder is very narrow and drivers are not always willing to share the road. Then, it is also very steep. Here you are riding in thin air, little oxygen, on a steep grade, with cars passing you by. If you run off the road there is no place to go except...straight down.
B.A. Were you frightened?
Jimmy Rivera At one point a truck came very close. But most of the time, it was o.k. I know it is a little dangerous. That is why not many people take the route I did. But I was determined to go. If I can do this, than anyone can.
B.A. How did it feel to make the summit?
Jimmy Rivera Your body is tormented, but your heart is pure! It is an incredible feeling! It was one of the biggest obstacles along my 99 mile route. Wow! To have this completed on the first day, that was a feat!
Jimmy Rivera Well, I looked like an ant. At first, I didn't think they really got me on tape. I had left the videographer a long ways above. But sure enough, if you look closely, there I am, riding off into the horizon on one of the last straightaways on Loveland Pass.
Follow Jimmy Rivera in future reports!
B.A. Why did you decide to ride from Keystone to Denver, Colorado.
Jimmy Rivera Well, you know, I am a member of a spiritual group in Denver and I don't have a car. I started thinking about how I could ride my bike to Denver.
B.A. Did that route present challenges?
Jimmy Rivera Sure did present problems. I have ridden on many of the Summit county paths, I did a trip to Glenwood, but there is no bike path that takes you through the mountains to Denver. You have to find a road for many sections of the route. I love doing things not many others have done.
B.A. What about the mountains?
Jimmy Rivera Geez, the mountains were a huge challenge. First, I had to get over Loveland Pass. Another guy said it took him 6 hours. That is a long time for an amateur rider to pedal uphill.
B.A. How did it go?
Jimmy Rivera I did it in 4 hours, but it was the toughest riding of my career. First, the shoulder is very narrow and drivers are not always willing to share the road. Then, it is also very steep. Here you are riding in thin air, little oxygen, on a steep grade, with cars passing you by. If you run off the road there is no place to go except...straight down.
B.A. Were you frightened?
Jimmy Rivera At one point a truck came very close. But most of the time, it was o.k. I know it is a little dangerous. That is why not many people take the route I did. But I was determined to go. If I can do this, than anyone can.
B.A. How did it feel to make the summit?
Jimmy Rivera Your body is tormented, but your heart is pure! It is an incredible feeling! It was one of the biggest obstacles along my 99 mile route. Wow! To have this completed on the first day, that was a feat!
B.A. When you looked at the teaser on you tube, at the last shot of you when you riding into the distance, how did you feel?
Jimmy Rivera Well, I looked like an ant. At first, I didn't think they really got me on tape. I had left the videographer a long ways above. But sure enough, if you look closely, there I am, riding off into the horizon on one of the last straightaways on Loveland Pass.
Follow Jimmy Rivera in future reports!
