Day 25 – On to Silverthorne

Hello Grace tribe, I had a quick text from Grace last night with some photos. She is doing good but had a bit of the MS “Elvis leg” yesterday, as the days get warmer now it adds to the challenge of having MS. The course offered a 1 1/2 hour hike a bike section yesterday that was tough. Steamboat springs was a good little stop and she was able to stock up on some needs to go forth. Grace camped last night and is on her way to Silverthorne.

With the Tour de France just days away here is something to think about. Riders in TDF are pampered everyday and just need to get on the bike and ride. Yes… ride hard and fast and it’s super challenging, I am not going to say it’s easy. Riders on Tour Divide are self supported and everyday just about is a Mountain day on a heavy bike with all your supplies with similar mileage or more than a day at the TDF.  Watching Tour Divide this year and watching Grace kick it’s ass reminds me of what an insanely difficult challenge this is. Bravo to Grace and all who tackle Tour Divide.

 

 

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Day 24 -Brushy Mountain Lodge

Hello Grace tribe, She is now way into Colorado and over 1500 miles into Tour Divide. Colorado is going to be exciting this weekend and Grace will meet up on trail with lots of friends. Watch here this week for lots of cool surprises.

Last night she made it to Brushy Mountain Lodge which is a 4 star Tour Divide stop. They took extremely good care of her. Anything you can think of, they have it or take care of it for you. No fee, just a donation. Amazing hospitality.

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Day 23 – Wyoming winds

Hello Grace tribe! This is a short post today. I got a text and some photos to share with you from Grace. She is still riding with Mike Patten and it’s super windy and challenging. She is so glad to have him along. They saw some wild horses and pronghorn deer.

ALMOST! to Colorado!!!! We will have more of an update for you hopefully tomorrow. They are in no mans land with the slightest of signal right now.

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Day 22 – The sound of silance

Hello Grace tribe!  Yesterday was a windy 87 miles with very strong side winds. Grace is 22 days in now and a little more than half way done with Tour Divide! She is still doing really well and sounds awesome! Grace had a great stay at Wild Bills Bed and Breakfast last night and raved about the cherry pie. She is now fully charged up for the next push. The next 2 days I don’t expect to hear from Grace as any resources and communications will be scarce. Grace caught up with Mike Patten who is riding the divide for NICA Pennsylvania and will be riding with him. It’s going to be flat and super windy so it all be great for her to have Mike to ride with. They are both loaded down with all they need food and water wise for the next 2 days.

Good news, she now no longer has to keep bear spray. So that danger is now behind her. Whew!

Grace wants to dedicate this Saturday and Sunday to Tommy Reagh of Trailhead bikes. He is one of Grace’s original MTB friends. She thanks him so much for all his help on this journey and for helping the future of MTBing with NICA and all cycling causes in Alabama. If you are in Huntsville stop on in and give him some love at his shop!

 

 

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Day 21 – Atlantic City

Hello Grace tribe! I got a surprise phone call from Grace last night. She expected to stay in a “shed” away from any signal, but ended up rolling 25 miles further than expected into Pinedale! She will pick up her new bed roll while here. Lots of camping is now ahead.

Grace sounds great! I think she is getting stronger. She topped out Union pass yesterday at 10K and says she has zero effects of altitude. Getting over union pass started at 8:20 AM and she topped it out and started her decent at 1:20 PM. Up on Union pass she saw a ton of deer and another moose. Seeing animals has really be an unexpected experience she really enjoys. On the climb up she saw a lot of bear poop but no bears, Grace will sing and yell a lot to scare them off just in case they are still around.

The decent was super sketchy, but you all know Grace is a world class Mountain biker and this is her jam. After the decent she ran up on a Bar called That Place in Cora, WY which was another nice surprise for the day.

 

Listen to Grace’s latest MTBcast call in.

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Day 20 – Yellowstone

Hello Grace tribe! We got caught up last night on a mixed call, some VOIP, Text and regular cell phone. When you get out as far as she is now communications have their challenges. She had another incredible day with a tailwind, she sounded pumped and full of energy. Grace is also getting to a point in the ride where she is using extra chamois butter. Cyclists… you know what I mean.

In her words:

“Ater Togwotee I was so excited that I made it to the top. I just simply assumed that I was just gonna descend the other side. I suited up with my rain jacket for the descent and dropped in for a good 5 to 8 minutes before I realized my turn was at the very top. Needless to say of course I had to climb backup to stay true to the course. That little section was called Wind River. It was real rutted out from ATB’s and still had a lot of snow drifts that turned muddy and slushy.

I’m at a camper cabin at lava lodge. Tomorrow has a very steep long climb of course. And there’s been a lot of bear activity, it’s very remote from here to Pinedale. So I’m gonna stay about 3/4 of the way at a bikers only inn.  I spoke to the gentleman tonight and it’s basically just a shed with bed. Just like tonight I use my sleeping bag. Nice to not have to set up and take down my tent.”

Live from 307 Country this AM

https://youtu.be/7SF3ZO1BVFM

 

Grace reporting live from the “Cabin Camper”

This video is from the day before, sorry for delay. Grace had no connectivity.

 

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Day 19 – Grand Tetons

Hello Grace tribe! Grace had an incredible ride yesterday, 82 miles of tailwind to Flagg Ranch, Wyoming. The day started on a gravel Rails to Trail path that reminded her of a pump track. She said it was a lot of fun to ride and the scenery was incredible, it looked down on a breath taking beautiful river for a while.

Early yesterday morning she ran up on a family camping and they offered her breakfast and coffee. The kindness of strangers is abundant out there.

At one point she had to wade through a creek and this of course made her shoes wet. She took a rare break to enjoy the scenery and the day to change socks and dry her feet. This was also a great time for her to reflect on the journey thus far and a good time for her to rest. The Face of MS is different for all MS sufferers, Grace experiences fatigue and vision challenges mainly but pushes through.

Last night we spoke on a land line and she sounded GREAT! There was no Wi-Fi or cell service, so we don’t have much media to show you today. Just a few photos of the scenery and the man who offered her breakfast.

Today she is on to Lava Mountain, 77 miles down the trail and is looking at 7700 feet of climbing. Colorado is in her sights next week and this will be a big mile stone in this journey.

Thank you all for your love and support, Last night while on the phone with her, I read her some of your comments since she had no internet service. She is truly touched by you all and thanks you so much.

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Day 18 – That was a HUGE moose!

Hello Grace tribe, 1000 Miles in the books and Grace is rolling strong. Today she is heading 82 miles on into Flag Ranch. She had an amazing day yesterday, a tailwind pushed her almost all day. Northbound racers are starting to intersect with Southbound racers. Yesterday she crossed paths with some nice gentleman from Belgium and one of them gave her a very cool Belgium flag. She saw a HUGE moose and later saw 3 Bald Eagles roosting together in one tree. The curious cows she keeps seeing make her smile.

Grace did lose her bed roll / mattress, she thinks on a downhill. Luckily Fisher Hutchens is sending her a new one to meet her on one of her next stops, Pinedale.

 

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Day 17 – Idaho!?… you da hoe!!

Hello and happy Sunday Grace tribe! Well… I heard from our fearless warrior last night via text. It’s been a tough go the last 2 days but Grace is rolling strong! Montana is finally in her rear view mirror and it’s on to Idaho.

BE SURE TO WATCH TODAYS VIDEO POSTED BELOW! 

In her words:

“Gonna get out of here early around 7 hopefully.  Gonna ride 86 to Island park.  Idaho… Yesterday I saw the first northbounder and found my mo. Aka Momentos also known as momentum.   A little American Flag I tied it on to my tail bag. Guess what apparently my air mattress did fly out of my sweet roll. I noticed it last night when I was setting up camp. Slept with no air mattress.   Today was animal Kingdom day with a tail wind. Last night at stormed very badly I stayed warm and cozy. Was a beautiful bluebird day this morning. But the road was so freakin muddy. I hide my bike on a cow path in the sage pushes for about 2 hours. After that the tail wind and all the animals made the day glorious. Although I am very tired. I saw 4 and Alope a deer a bear a bunch of gofers  And a bald Eagle. Just absolutely gorgeous scenery check out the pictures.”

Folks, Grace LOVES to know when you are virtually riding with her. GREAT job Bella and Drew!
“Team Ride with Grace (Bella and Drew) rode 77 miles in 7 hours at the 12 Hours of Tsali.” -Erin

 

 

 

 

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Day 16 – Bannack?

Hello Grace tribe! We see Grace is up at Bannack. Her goal was Lima yesterday. She sounded a little beat down and tired at the start. I have not heard from her and looking at the area I am very certain there is no signal. I assume she set up camp and stayed at Bannack. I will update you as soon as I hear from here… Keep checking this days blog post for that update.

“Go Gracie!  Keep up the GREAT riding!  U R amazing!🙌💪😀”  -Tom Falkie

Keep thise comments and love coming in, it REALLY motivates Grace!

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