More amazing People . Fitz-Barn Ride

I've met some amazing people from being in and around the 'Barn.  A few days ago I met Cheryl and Paul, a couple from Connecticut.  They're riding their bikes across the US, and stopped in at the 'Barn for some bike maintenance and repairs before they continued their trip to Seattle.  I'll drop by their place if I make it that far East on my travels.

Yesterday was the start of the Fitz-Barn ride.  It's a 400+ mile ride from Montana (The Red Barn) to Idaho (Fiztgerald's Bicycles in Victor) - and is the brain child of Chad and Scott Fitzgerald.  It's an unsupported ride, so each rider must carry all of the food and equipment that he or she needs.  Around 10 peeps headed off yesterday morning at 6:30, including Chad and Tracey (his wife) - they're hoping to complete the ride in 4-5 days.  How's that for a training goal!!  A couple of guys started at about 9:30 am - one of them didn't finish work until 8am, hence his late start...!!!

Nice morning for it

Chad and Tracey

On the start line

A typical bike

A couple of legends: 

Randall and Scott Fitzgerald.  Randall is Tracey's dad, and Scott is the Fitz in Fitz-Barn.  Scott brought a 'shop' cap for each of Chad's 3 daughters, and liked his shop cap, really liked it.  I like a little colour, and the orange cap with some white & green detailing in an Irish style appealed to me.  I asked Scott how I could get one...and he said have mine.  Nice.  Thanks Scott.  The awesome burgundy 1952 Chev truck that you've seen some pics of is Randall's.

Randall and Connie (his wife), along with Chad's 3 kids and my good self headed off on a whim late in the afternoon to meet some of the riders (who ever we ran into really) on the route.  Of course we had a cow bell to assist as an encouragement giver!

I like the following image.  I can imagine it's how the riders see the world or how they feel at various points as they progress through the ride.  It also sums up my trip plans at the moment - somewhat defined, but fuzzy.  I'm happy with that, it's nice to not be overly prescriptive and planned, and having too many expectations of myself.

Here's Chad + Tracey + kids before we wished C & T well for the rest of their ride.

Chad and Tracey were riding with Jean, here he is - with his bike... the Titanium Terror - nice bike!

Now, here are a few happy snaps I took along the journey to our rendezvous

Finally, many thanks to Lea, my photographic assistant and cowbell holder.