The Scenic Way Forward!

I will be driving my gear from Colorado Springs to Bellingham WA and headed south to San Diego from there!

This trip has been an incredible experience—filled with moments of meeting strangers, reconnecting with familiar faces, and cycling through so many places I’ve never been. Choosing to shift my route has taken a surprising amount of time: hours of research, ordering new Adventure Cycling Association maps, and reaching out to people I was supposed to stay with to let them know plans have changed. It’s been a bit of a logistical puzzle.

Being in Colorado feels like a week at a spa. Nearly every day’s route has bike lanes or dedicated bike paths, there’s easy access to nutrient-rich food, and people are used to seeing cyclists on the road. And then, of course, there’s the beauty of the mountains. I’m a mountain girl. I don’t dislike the ocean—in fact, I love it—but I thrive in the mountains. I can’t help but wonder how long it’ll take me to move to a mountain town. I love Louisville, but I have a feeling my time there might be short. Early morning hikes or pre-work rides with mountain views are calling my name.

I don’t expect to rack up big mileage while I’m in Colorado—unless I squeeze in a few day rides. I’ve got an Airbnb in Colorado Springs for the week (booked months ago), but because I skipped a few hundred miles in Nebraska, I’m feeling oddly behind… and a little confined.

Still, I’m excited. Since deciding to ride the full Pacific Coast route, I now have two possible riding partners lined up to join me for portions, and several people offering to host me along the way. That’s something to really look forward to.