Hi folks. I just wanted to share the official news that I am embarking on another rather wild adventure in these next two weeks. I will be riding a bike across the entire length of Colorado! :)

For approximately the next 7 to 10 days, I will be on my bike and will not be providing day-to-day headline changes like usual. However, I will be checking into the Friendship Board whenever possible to let you folks know how I'm doing.

As you can see I've enclosed a self-drawn map of Colorado with my tentative route. In brief, I'll be passing through: Four Corners, Cortez, Durango, Pagosa Springs, Wolf Creek Pass (God help me!), Del Norte, Saguache, Poncha Pass, Johnson Village, Trout Creek Pass, Wilkerson Pass (Oh dear!), Woodland Park, Manitou Springs, Colorado Springs, Yoder, Wild Horse, Cheyenne Wells, Kansas State Line.

Why am I doing this? Well why not? A long-term bike trip is something that's been on my heart and mind for quite awhile, ever since I met the mayor of Kanorado, Kansas and she told me all about the yearly bike rides across Kansas. I have caught the biking bug and I'm going for it! :)

There is even some nostalgia to all this. It was almost two years ago today that my best friend Bernie in New Jersey (June 1, 2000 exactly) dropped me off at the headwaters of the Passaic River to kayak the entire river!

(A shot of the road bike that I'm renting our at a very decent price.) I have experienced many emotions in these last days of preparation, including fear, joy, excitement, overwhelm, frustration, etc., but this is what dream-making is all about. The most difficult part of this trip was crossing the line into "commitment-land." Once I was determined to handle any obstacle or consideration that can my way, the rest was quite easy.

Mind you, I write this one day before the trip and we'll see if I consider all that bike peddling easy. I will say this, I have done everything to prepare myself physically and mentally for the task of crossing the Continental Divide at Wolf Creek Pass, altitude 10,850 feet. :)

Lastly, I want to thank all of you who have supported me in this project and especially want to acknowledege Boki Evans for all his help! Boki is an expert from his years of experience as a bike mechanic and this trip would not be happening for his generosity and commitment to me. THANKS BOKI!

While I'm gone, I trust you can keep yourself entertained on the web site by visiting my adventures, news articles and word searches, not to mention enjoying great music, exciting movies and interaction with others on the message boards and chat room. Have fun!

Enough said. You only live once ... live to the fullest!

Love, Steve :)