Twenty-six riders met me at the south end of Cole Park in Alamosa to start the Heartland 2009 ride. Several riders started out ahead of time: Bill Brinton and Kris Steinberg on their tandem and Amanda Pearson on her recumbant. Everything came together wonderfully, weather, rest breaks, no major mechanical difficulties. Special thanks to Audrey Liu, Sam Wisener, Marci Lierly, and Rick Dunnahoo for all of their hard work in organizing the ride. I met Michelle Le Blanc at race break one. Michelle has been an important piece of bringing the Heartland ride together and has arranged lodging with her parents in Hildreth, Nebraska on the Heartland route to Minnesota. I was happy to catch up with Lance Cheslock and Bob Linden and we made it to the top of La Veta Pass together. On the downhill side, I was very pleased to see two bikers with one bike who turned out to be my neighbors and friends Kris Steinberg and Bill Brinton. Fun lunch at La Veta Inn. Thanks to everyone who joined me on the send-off ride! Alone in La Veta I wandered around and discovered the Book Nook, used books for sale from friends of the library. Not a good combination for the beginning of my bike tour, but I could not help myself. I bought enough to fill a medium sized box and made an arrangement to have them taken to almosa.
On to Walsenburg. I felt a little lonely after the excitement and comradery of the group send-off.

I met up with my host for the night,Robert Schulz and had a very tasty mexican meal in Walsenburg. Thanks for the first nights lodging, Robert.