Hi y’all! It’s Tubb. 3-part blog coming atchu.
Part 1 — day 56 recap
Easy ride from Louisville to Lexington. Our host Wayne was amazing and bought us delicious pizza! 70-something miles, 3000-something feet climbed. See pics below.
Part 2 — day 57 recap
Slightly tougher day into Cave Run Lake. Incredible camping and swimming at the end! 73.33 miles, 4040 feet climbed. See pics below.
Part 3 — Last week, we solicited questions on our instagram. Now, we answer them!
Favorite state to bike through? This one’s a three-way tie. The stunning canyons of Utah, peaceful gravel trails of Missouri, and never-ending mountains of West Virginia were each so incredible and unique. I can’t pick a favorite!
Favorite spots? Wow these questions are tough! I appreciate this one’s use of “spots” instead of “spot” because picking one is impossible. Here’s one from each state we spent a few days in:
The boat dock at Stanford Sierra, California…the starting point for many fun paddleboards, peddleboats, kayaks, and canoes during our two days there!
The town-wide memorial service in Ely, Nevada…I was struck by the joy and gratitude of the Ely community after the passing of a beloved community member and the generosity of their eager welcoming of six random cyclists from hundreds of miles away!
The High Valley Arts production of Fiddler on the Roof in Heber Valley, UT…an overwhelmingly heartwarming display of community and a fantastic musical!
The Barr Trail up Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, CO…potentially highest elevation a spokes team has ever reached (and maybe even the craziest thing a spokes team have ever done)...nothing like summitting a 14er on a trans-am rest day!
The Keeper of the Plains Ring of Fire in Wichita, KS…fire!!!
The many small towns, cool shops, tasty restaurants, and awesome people along the Katy Trail in Missouri…top tier small town vibes and kindness!
Cave Run Lake, Kentucky…fun swimming, beautiful sunset, and our final camping night of the trip!
New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia…great hike, awesome views, and breathtaking mountains!
The Virginia Tech University Beach Volleyball Courts…quelled my beach volleyball withdrawals with the awesome Hokie Catholic Community!
Which state had the best food? What are the best things you’ve eaten? Everywhere we stayed with family meant top tier grub! Chicken roll-ups and funeral potatoes in Utah with Scott crew in Utah. Texas chili, pot roast tacos, cornbread, and great burgers with the Tubb clan in Colorado. Barbacoa, BBQ chicken, salmon, and fresh-baked cookies with Matentsian family and friends in Missouri. All so good!
Biggest animal we could ALL collectively kill with our bare hands? Black bear. Grizzly and polar are out of the question. Maybe I’m crazy overconfident, but I think with proper strategy we could take down a black bear. But it’d be close…Will predicts 4 deaths and 2 surviving with major injuries.
Who is the coolest sibling of all the different spokes people? Probably my sister Kathryn by a hair (she definitely didn’t write this question). I’m very biased but she did climb Pikes Peak with us so she gets mad points for that. In all seriousness, we’ve loved hanging out with Ethan’s and Eva’s siblings so far and can’t wait to maybe meet Kawther’s soon!