Virginia here we come
Not much further now.
Dodge city kansas
Just arrived in historic dodge city spending some time at the boot hill museum with some sponsors
Colorado
It seems so long ago that this trip began back in rainy seattle but at the same time it seems as if we have only just begun. The biking is getting easier and we are enjoying our off days a lot. We rode from colorado springs into Boulder earlier this week and I have to say it was really cool to show they guys my home town and the college I attend. We were extremely fortunate to get a tour of mile high stadium as well as lunch from chipotle (a personal favorite) our first day in denver. We got a chance to work with some great groups in Boulder as well as meet some olympic gold medal winners at the Olympic training center just yesterday when we stayed for a day off in Colorado Springs. The stay in the springs was great. We stayed in an original and very old dormitory to the Colorado College and even attended dinner with the dean. He even flew in his favorite cake from mississippi for us. Tomorrow we ride to some town in colorado I have never heard of some 140 miles away by bike. This will be our longest ride as well as a milage record for the journey of hope. I’m both excited and terrified to be a pioneer but one way or another tomorrow is gonna come. So ill try to stay positive and get through it and one day closer to our goal of reaching D.C. I almost forgot we ate dinner as a team at our families home and I had the great honor of awarding my title sponsors of Solar Glass window and Door as well as FUller Sothebys International Realty with team shirts and an honorary team member status. The food was great and the friendship even better. I really miss home and my family but I am still really glad to be a member of this team. As always thanks for the support and friendship.
-Paolo Ciancio
Wyoming
Were almost halfway through the trip and time is flying by. It seems like past summers just crawled by with work and lazy pool side days. Not this summer. We have already crossed through three states (Washington, Idaho and Montana) and within a few days we’ll have crossed through Wyoming into Colorado as well. The trip has been full of difficulties already. The team has rode through almost constant cold and rain in Washington and Idaho. We have traversed several mountain passes including Mount Rainier, as well as the day we rode through two back to back mountain passes in Northern Idaho. So far the team has had several century days in which we ride over 100 miles (the longest being 125). Century days are a mix of torture and elation. I have had some of the best conversations of my lie on the saddle of my bike and I know for sure I have made some friends that I’ll keep for life. I’m already planning to visit some great friends in Tennessee and Southern Mississippi next year (hopefully to see some SEC football). Our friendship visits are picking up in number and starting to hot more home each time as I am learning to give more of myself to the experience. We made some awesome friends in Butte Montana where the team was invited to a local dance for people with disabilities. The band played some great throw back hits from Fog Hat to CCR and every Pi Kapp’s favorite Alabama (their lead singer was a brother of our order). I have seen some much of the country in a unique way and most of it has been truly breathtaking. Washington was so lush with life and greener than anywhere I have ever been. Idaho had some amazing mountain views shrouded in fog. Montana may as well rename itself the golf course state with is beautiful winding rivers and perfectly manicured landscapes. Then there is Wyoming. Wyoming like any good relationship started wonderful with a stay at a Colorado alumnus ranch where we got to do all of my favorite activities including horse back riding, trap shooting, golf, hot tubing and off-roading. Not to mention the world class sleeping and eating accommodations. Then things got desolate as we left Jackson Hole. Now were surrounded by wind and hot rocky nothingness. As well as dust storms. I’m looking forward to Colorado and I’ll check in soon. Thanks as always for the support and motivation I couldn’t do this without people like yourselves.
Colorado at long Last
Colorado at long Last
Finally after weeks of hard riding we have arrived in my home state. No words can describe how it felt to roll across the state line into familiar territory. Its been an amazing trip so far and we still have so far to go. While Wyoming was windy and desolate Colorado is on another plain entirely. Even eight miles over the boarder the changes were drastic. The air tasted better. The people became more friendly, we encountered other cyclist and above all we could see my beloved rocky mountains still peaked in snow. After pictures with fellow CU alum Bryce McDermot we rolled into Fort Collins for a delicious meal at Raising Canes Chicken fingers. The manger was a great guy who not only sponsored our meal but made us feel welcome and appreciated. After eating my weight in chicken, Texas toast and drinking an ocean of sweet tea we showered up and headed to a friendship visit with a local club for quadriplegic athletes. It was awesome getting to meet and learn from the athletes as we learned to play a version of wheelchair baseball. It really threw things into perspective playing Americas favorite past time so close to the forth with some extraordinary athletes. While its been years since I competitively played baseball I found myself falling into step quickly driving runs in every time I got to bat. My cycling is improving and my health is on the rise after our team wide brush with the 48 hour stomach flu. Tomorrow we ride to Boulder and I am super excited to show off my schools campus and the town itself. After Boulder its on to Denver to enjoy some dinner at the casa de Ciancio with my wonderful parents who I miss more every day. Thanks again to everyone who has supported me and made this life altering experience possible. Keep fallowing my Journey and thanks again to my friends and family for their love and support. See ya’ll in Denver!!!
Our team helps prepare pizza at a local Idaho pizzeria. Ben Hollywood helps whip up some delicious fuel.
Hello and Good Bye Idaho
Our team absolutely blew through Northern idaho in just two days stopping in two small towns before entering into Montana. The weather was the worst part of Idaho keeping all of us very wet, very tired and most of all very irritated. We also haven’t had the opportunity for friendship visits lately. Were heading south into Montana tomorrow and after todays climb through two of Idaho’s eastern mountain trails (picture to come) I can say I’m really looking forward to getting into warmer weather and flatter country. In two days we’ll have a day to rest and refit in Missoula and Were all looking forward to a much deserved day off and additional sleep. Regardless of the weather and the terrain I am thankful for every ache and sore I have knowing full well I live a really great life and am truly blessed to be as fortunate as I am. I miss my family a lot and look forward to them hosting a dinner for our team when we reach denver in a few weeks time. Thanks again for all the support and for your continued interest in my Journey and serving people with disabilities. Thats all the updates for today hopefully I’ll have something cool to share soon. Look for the picture I promised everyone of the dog Bryce and I found.
Thanks
-Paolo
