DAILY BLOG

From the time we planned the trip route, we had July 8th circled on the calendar. This was the “day of days” for us—the chance to climb the world’s highest paved road, the road to Mt. Evans in Colorado.

Yes, the pass is open!

Official sign about 1/2 way up the mountain

The ride was a 31-mile ascent from Idaho Springs (7,524 feet elevation) up to the summit at 14,264 feet. We climbed five mountain passes in Colorado over the past week and four in Arizona the week before, but none of those could compare to what Mt. Evans was offering, not only the overall length of the climb, but the fact that we’d be doing it at such a high altitude.

Mt. Evans from afar

We began the morning at 8:00pm, meeting up with a half a dozen folks from the Colorado chapter of the International Christian Cycling Club. We had a great time cycling with them! (Thanks Tom and everyone!) After prep and prayer, we set out at about 8:20am from Idaho Springs towards Mt. Evans. There was not a cloud in the sky and it looked like a great day for a climb.

Justy, looking for a good camera angle

The overall climb starts out mild for the first seven miles—almost, but not quite flat. Then, the climb starts to build over the next seven miles with a moderate grade until you reach the mid-way point at Echo Lake.

Wagners at Echo Lake

We stopped there for a break and noticed that dark clouds had quickly formed over top us, so we pulled out the rain gear. The experienced Mt. Evans cycling folks we went with were concerned that we may get in a storm. We decided to proceed, but watch closely the weather. Immediately after departing the Echo Lake area and beginning the climb of the upper half of the mountain, it began to rain and hail/snow.

View on the way up

Jared and I were praying hard about the weather. The last thing we wanted to do was to have to turn around due to bad weather. We’d rather fail on our own rather than not have a chance at not being to complete this most symbolic of stages for us. God answered our prayers, because within a couple of miles, the rain/snow stopped and the sun came back out. Clouds still loomed over the summit, but they did not look like thunderstorm clouds.

The climb went on and on and on. Like nothing Jared or I ever experienced before. I’d driven up the road years ago, but it is amazing how long 14 miles can seem when you are pedaling up hill the whole time.

Kim got more than a little freaked out by the narrow road without guardrails

After a few miles, Jared became Lance Armstrong and began to pull away from the other club riders and myself. Since there were still over 10 miles to go, we wondered if he was pushing it too hard, too soon. However, as it turned out, while Ty, one of the club riders, made contact with him again, he ultimately rode away from all of us and summited the climb on his own. Jared would say afterwards that it was the hardest, but best ride of his life.

Jared fighting the elements

A true celebration!

I followed several minutes later, but was bound and determined to make it up. Within the last 2 miles to the top, the snow/hail began again, which seemed fitting for such an epic climb. When we made it to the top, the temperature was around 34 degrees. Boy, those 115 degree days in the desert seemed like a world away!!!!

Mt. Evans will be the last mountain we’ll climb on the tour. In the past, I always feared climbing mountains on my bike. Maybe it is Jared’s love for the mountains, but I too really grew to look forward to the mountain days, almost like Christmas morning. (Yes, perhaps the altitude finally made me lose my sanity!). We look forward to riding through some new territory in New Mexico and Oklahoma over the several days. But, to be honest, we are a bit sad at closing this most challenging portion of the tour.

Ad alta simul - We are all in this together!

After Mt. Evans, we hurried down to Colorado Springs for an evening BBQ/speaking event at Mountain Springs church. We had a great time with them and sharing the book’s message.

Tomorrow is a rest day in Colorado Springs! Yeah!