Arches/End Of An Epic Journey

Tuesday 10/13 – While the cycling might have come to an end the partying was still going full force and following the C-Dubs mantra for the trip – Go Big or Go Home. Since the flight wasn’t until Wednesday it was hammer time. The plan for the day was to hit Arches National Park early then shop the town and cocktail in the afternoon. To get the morning going C-Dubs immediately hit the fridge for yet another cold frosty beverage and chased it down with a reheated chicken enchilada while the rest of the crew just stood there in shock making eggs. Top Chef and C-Dubs then stirred the coals and put another log on the campfire to warm up the morning.The hike in Arches was beautiful but all of us were feeling the riding and kept to the road for most of the trip. On the 3 mile hike to the delicate arch we came across a lady hiking in flip flops and pondered who was dumber – her for choice of footwear or us for riding singlespeeds for the race.Post arches arches
The plan for the evening was to take a couple of growlers of beer and a bottle of patron up to slick rock for some beers and shots while checking out the stars. Well the clouds had rolled in so the growler never made it out the front door (the same with the team) and we settled into a night of hammering beers and doing shots. The bottle of Patron added a bit of spice to the evening and we managed to catch this shot of the Mayor enjoying one of many shots.(there was denial of this ever happening put the proof is in the photo).After the Mayor stumbled into the master suite to pass out the crew decided to order in a couple of pizzas to top off the night. Well we all paid the price for that stunt and after passing out during South Park we made our way to the gas chamber where it was an all night session of groaning over bloated stomachs.

Wednesday 10/14 – With the final campfire finally put out we all piled into the van for a civilized drive across Colorado to the Denver airport and final beers before heading home. It was here that C-Dubs finally hit the wall and was caught leaving unfinished beers at each of the bars – a major faux paux. With his head hung low it truly was time to go home.
By the time we all got back to home base the consensus was that this had to be one of the all time great trips/rides any of us had been on. Keep posted it looks like next year will be either Bend, BC or Santa Fe.