Memory Riders: An Octogenarian Bike Ride Memorializing Past Carleton Classmates

Can four octogenarians, from mid-May to early June, ride 1,000+ miles with minimal discomfort? Spoiler Alert: they can and did, at least two of them. The four classmates from Carleton College (Northfield MN) class of 1958 decided to ride bicycles from Denver CO to Northfield timed to arrive for their 60th Reunion. The ride took 19 days and each day was devoted to the memory of five deceased classmates. In the end, for a variety of reasons, only two actually cycled the 1,000+ miles, one assisted by driving the support vehicle for a third of the route and one did yeoman service in planning the experience. Written by one of the least qualified members of the team in terms of cycling experience, the surprisingly complex planning required for such a trip is carefully explained. The actual daily experiences provide an interesting look at the country through which they rode - parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota. Typical Spring weather, from glorious blue skies to rain - from mild to pelting, wind from helping to impeding, provided challenges but none that delayed the ride. One participant rode a specially designed touring bike and the other rode a FLASH v.1 ebike. The riders, asked if they would do it again, both replied enthusiastically in the affirmative. Incidentally, the Carleton Alumni Fund benefited from their classmates who made contributions based on miles ridden.