We all join up in Pueblo. . . loads of fun.

We had so much fun meeting up with Ben and is companions in Pueblo this week. The only real hitch in the visit was the challenge they faced getting from where they came into Pueblo to where we had a campsite! They did not want to ride up I25, but there was no direct route otherwise. It took them about three hours, maybe longer, to get from the southwest corner of town to our campground just north of town. So much for a rest day!

This is Ben, looking a bit scruffy and unshaven, but still happy.










This is the bunch right after they wandered all over Pueblo trying to get to the RV. Mick had to stop off at a Verizon store so he came on later, having found a MUCH better route to get to the place.

Do you see the big bowl of fruit (behind the Hard Cider can)? we filled it to over flowing with fresh fruit, and it was empty by the time we ate Ed's delicious vegetarian lasagna for dinner.

Mick and Noah are enjoying the comfy seats in the RV.

 Marshall sitting at the picnic table in our totally enclosed and nifty RV site. Well, maybe nifty isn't the word. It was VERY hot, and the sun shade we had been promised had blown away in a storm the night before (which Ben's group said was so intense that they figured they would all blow away with their tents). But being able to set up their tents, and spread out their bikes and gear made it worthwhile. I don't think I will go back to Pueblo any time soon (too hot and buggy by far) but this visit was worth it.

Mick is trying to sample micro-brews all across the country. He prefers that they be on tap and brewed on location, but he seemed happy with the two types of New Mexico beers we brought him (Santa Fe Brewery and Alien Ale from Moriarty).

Mick is keeping a journal of his adventures. When he has time he transcribes it into his blog on Crazy Guy With a Bike site. But his last entry there was made the day after they met up with Ben in Cedar City, Utah.

We knew Noah needed a different bike, but we honestly didn't realize how bad it was. He rode the hardest part of the trip across America (The Sierras, Nevada and The Rockies) on a 1978, women's 10-speed Schwinn  with steel wheels (which Ed says don't work well with brakes). We are so impressed by that guy's strength and fortitude. But we also hope he enjoys the last half of the trip on a better bike. 

After a day of resting, switching bikes for Noah, and browsing the Riverwalk in Pueblo, the crew needed to get back on their bikes and head for Kansas. Mick tends to leave earlier than the others because he wants to go a bit slower and take a rest during the hottest part of the day (he is a smart man!). We got up to give him coffee and some of Ed's good bread with peanut butter before he headed off around 6:00 a.m. You can just barely see Noah in his hammock in the background.

The rest of the crew didn't get up until around seven, then we fed them eggs and more of Ed's bread (and brown rice tortillas for Ben). Once they started getting ready, Ben had so much to do he took forever to get ready.

Noah is loading up his new bike.

Laura is done and waiting. . .

 . . . while Ben starts to change right there behind his towel, before he is reminded he can go into the RV and be properly modest!

 

And Laura is still waiting. . . 

 

And Ben is still packing up

 

Ben is still packing up his stuff, and He says, "OK. I'm ready." We look over at Noah and Laura who have not budged an inch. I get the impression they have heard the "I'm ready now" line before! Funny how quickly we can learn someone's quirks when traveling together. No one else would know these guys only met up a few weeks ago as perfect strangers. They are such a great fit together, making  pretty good family. Thank heavens they have had Mick to keep them in line!

OK! Last minute double check of route and all. . . Mick has sent a text to let them know the route we planned for them to leave town is OK (even if they do have to ride north for two miles to get to a road to cross over and head back south).  Ben says they will now stay on Highway 96 all the way across Kansas.

  

And they are off! Laura says that Ben rides standing up most of the way.

This tunnel went under the freeway. As we came into town in our 12 feet tall RV, we had to drive through it. The sign said the tunnel was 13 feet tall. We found ourselves hoping no one miss measured. Ben and crew had to ride through it on their way out, but I imagine it is a bit less scary going on a bike. Well, unless a car comes from the other direction.

As they headed on down the highway towards Kansas, Ben said he heard Noah singing. "Oh I went through the desert on a bike with no name. . ."