by Chris Wilkin '83
Thirty-seven years after launching a 2,000-mile bicycle trip from the campus of Nazareth College, three 1983 Nazareth grads reunited to ride the Rockies.
Each night our ritual included reading from my journal from our 1984 trip. It was interesting to hear from the 23-year old version of myself and to revisit what we experienced on a daily basis. The journal brought up so many great memories as we took turns sharing our stories. All of us being parents now couldn't believe that our parents actually let us go!
We also shared our thoughts on how different the trip would be if we went today. First of all, we would each have cell phones to access Google maps, take pictures, video, blog and just be able to call home. We asked ourselves, would people be as friendly and receptive to help as they were in 1984? Would a family take 3 total strangers into their home for Easter Sunday and share their food? We decided that, sad to say, our experiences with everyday encounters with the people we came across would definitely be different and "colder." We all agreed that our 1984 trip happened at the right time and we wouldn't have changed a thing!
The next day we headed to Frisco, a small mountain town full of friendly people, wonderful places to eat and a 25-mile bike trail that would take us around beautiful Lake Dillon. The trail was full of gorgeous lake views and trails through aspen and pine trees.
Five miles in, the trail went from wide and smooth to steep with rocky switchbacks that were hard to navigate, especially at elevation. We had no choice but to take frequent breaks to catch our breath. On one break we discovered the loud stillness amidst the tall aspen trees that surrounded us. It was a perfect, peaceful silence that neither Brett or I expected. We tried to hear a sound, any sound but couldn't.
That night we celebrated surviving the trail and made plans the next day to hike a trail near the Continental Divide at 11,539 feet above sea level.
The real question is...what's next?
Thirty-seven years after launching a 2,000-mile bicycle trip from the campus of Nazareth College, three 1983 Nazareth grads reunited to ride the Rockies.
A toast to our adventure
Ready to ride: Brett, Paul, & Chris
Brett McAvoy, Paul Brown, and I met in Denver, Colorado for our mile high adventure. Along with us was our longtime friend John Callard who was there on the day we left in 1984. This time we didn't have two months or even two weeks to ride. What we did have ahead of us were mountain rides at elevations above 6,000 feet! We also had a 30-foot RV, which would act as our support vehicle.
Brett and John were the first to fly into Denver. We celebrated the reunion of old friends that felt way too long in coming. The next day, Brett and I went on a 23-mile warm-up ride, our first ride together since the 1984 bike trip! It didn’t take long for us to get back into the old groove though. We rode a local trail that ran through Chatfield State Park. The park had beautiful rolling foothills and wonderful lake views. Looming in the distance were the majestic Rocky Mountains, which we would be tackling soon enough.
Paul arrived later that night. We were sad to find out that be would be unable to participate in the long, rough rides because of a health issue. So it would be up to Brett and I to keep up the tradition.
We made our final preparations, climbed aboard our RV, and headed up Rt 285. Next stop...the Rocky Mountains! Our destination was an RV park near Frisco, Colorado. Along the way, all of us enjoyed catching up and discovering the breathtaking mountain views.
At the campsite, we settled in and made plans for the next two days. The RV quickly became our rolling college dorm as we joked and reminisced about the good old Nazareth days. It almost felt like time stood still.
Paul arrived later that night. We were sad to find out that be would be unable to participate in the long, rough rides because of a health issue. So it would be up to Brett and I to keep up the tradition.
We made our final preparations, climbed aboard our RV, and headed up Rt 285. Next stop...the Rocky Mountains! Our destination was an RV park near Frisco, Colorado. Along the way, all of us enjoyed catching up and discovering the breathtaking mountain views.
At the campsite, we settled in and made plans for the next two days. The RV quickly became our rolling college dorm as we joked and reminisced about the good old Nazareth days. It almost felt like time stood still.
Our rolling dorm room
We also shared our thoughts on how different the trip would be if we went today. First of all, we would each have cell phones to access Google maps, take pictures, video, blog and just be able to call home. We asked ourselves, would people be as friendly and receptive to help as they were in 1984? Would a family take 3 total strangers into their home for Easter Sunday and share their food? We decided that, sad to say, our experiences with everyday encounters with the people we came across would definitely be different and "colder." We all agreed that our 1984 trip happened at the right time and we wouldn't have changed a thing!
The next day we headed to Frisco, a small mountain town full of friendly people, wonderful places to eat and a 25-mile bike trail that would take us around beautiful Lake Dillon. The trail was full of gorgeous lake views and trails through aspen and pine trees.
Brett on the Frisco Trail around Lake Dillon.
Chris on the move!
Up next we took on a section of the Colorado Trail. The CT is made up of 486 miles of rugged trails that run through the Rockies.
Our Colorado trail ride begins
Five miles in, the trail went from wide and smooth to steep with rocky switchbacks that were hard to navigate, especially at elevation. We had no choice but to take frequent breaks to catch our breath. On one break we discovered the loud stillness amidst the tall aspen trees that surrounded us. It was a perfect, peaceful silence that neither Brett or I expected. We tried to hear a sound, any sound but couldn't.
Taking a break
Relaxing in the aspen forest
On another stop I looked up at the aspens as a steady breeze rustled their leaves making the forest sound like a flowing river. I felt pure contentment. But then all of a sudden I had this feeling that something was watching us and looked ahead of me to find the culprit.
Some of the trees seemed to be watching us!
The trail had spectacular views
Brett enjoying the sights
That night we celebrated surviving the trail and made plans the next day to hike a trail near the Continental Divide at 11,539 feet above sea level.
On our last day, Brett and I biked another section of the Colorado Trail which started with a gently sloping trail that followed the South Platte River for miles.
South Platte River
Stopping to admire the view
Eventually, the trail transitioned to a steep single track climb and downhill with pine trees everywhere.
Brett tearing up the trail
Chris emerging from the trees
After rounding a bend, it wasn't the trees that were staring at us anymore but a bighorn sheep we came face-to-face with. The alpha just gave us a look then confidently continued to graze.
A majestic bighorn sheep
All in all, our reunion trip was a blast. It was unfortunate that Paul couldn't ride with Brett and I, but all four of us had a great time laughing and catching up. The 37 years that separated the two bike rides almost disappeared. All of us came together to challenge ourselves again much like we did years ago.
The real question is...what's next?
What a wonderful way to reminisce with old friends, discover new trails, and view such majestic beauty. Big brother, I am very proud of you. Congratulations to you, Brett, Paul, and John.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ellen.
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