Night 4 Thursday 8:00PM to 4:00AM

Central Denver Colorado to Flagler Colorado

While Team 2 was running late and we were ready to go about half an hour early the rest of the team in the mini-van loaded the cooler with ice and drinks and the tank with gas before we made our final stop at the second of two Subways to procure 12” subs for the nights culinary delight. 

We followed the route east on Colfax until we entered I-70 without seeing Allan. We immediately made for the first exit and turned back towards Denver to find Allan. It was just about that time that someone’s phone rang. It was Allan who said he was hiding out from the weather in a Shell mini-mart on  the north side of Colfax. We located Allan and along with him was the Ambassador Team in their car.  I convinced Allan that there was no danger from the lightning as the storm was 15 miles away and moving southeast at 15 miles an hour while we would be going East for the next 20 miles before turning Southeast. 

So Allan forged Eastward joining I-70 and in a little over 2 ½ hours. Jon took to the road next pushing his 30 miles fast and hard as he usually does.  Then it was Greg’s turn but what we didn’t know is that Greg was not feeling quite himself so as good as he was he was still slower than the usual Greg. I got on the road somewhere West of Limon and began what was mostly a gradual down (with a few small ups) over the next 34 miles to Flagler I felt like I was absolutely flying most of the time. As the miles flew by I felt good and strong counting the mileage signs along the Interstate. At the assigned exit I pedaled up the exit, made a right and rode into the  oversized parking lot of a well lit all night gas station at exactly 4:00AM.  A good ride and still at altitude when you consider that Flagler is higher than Denver.   We all piled into the mini-van after Team 1 arrived and we headed for Colby,  Kansas where we would spend the day.

On  arrival in Colby we checked into our motel before finding a local eatery and with the exception of Greg had a hearty breakfast. I think I found the best Biscuits and Gravy in the whole country at the restaurant, which were two thick fluffy biscuits with a paddy of sausage between the top and bottom and then covered with sausage gravy with huge chucks of sausage in it . . . um good.  I left most of the gravy but ate every last bit of the biscuits and sausage.  Next was back to the motel for some laundry (about an hour) then some sleep before arising around 5:00  before Allan and I went to the local grocery concern to procure items for the Team as well as some special diet items for Greg who hadn’t eaten breakfast and was having a really rough morning.