Name: Jane	First encounter with the 'Divide'.
Date:    8-14-00
I was in Denver for a few days so this will cover several days of the guys' adventure. Talked to Al on 8-10 and they were in a motel in Dubois, WY. Dave wasn't able to ride with them because he had the puppies with him. Al couldn't say enough great things about how helpful Dave was and how wonderful it was to see him. Dave bid them farewell that morning. They hoped to reach Lander on 8-11 or 8-12, with 3-4 more days possible in WY. Al called 8-13 from Rollins, WY. There was a 123-mile stretch from Lander to Rollins with very few services. In the middle of that desolation, they "camped" (Al slept on a picnic table!) in the Lions Club Park in Jeffrey City, that Al described as a ghost-town with two residents. They had headwinds all day 8-12. 8-13 brought them headwinds of 50-60 mph that blew them into truck traffic. They wisely stopped and hitched a ride into Rollins, WY.,with a guy in a pick-up truck. Al said they could hardly get the bikes on the truck because of the strong winds. They were moteling it in Rollins, doing laundry and hoping to get to Colorado today. Al has a derailer (I know that's the wrong spelling. It's French. I need you Dan Gutin!) problem so they will look for a bike store in Saratoga. They've pedaled more than 1500 miles! More pictures were waiting for me when I arrived home. I'll get them to Chris. It was good to see their faces even though it wasn't in person.

Name: Larry Corman

Date:    Aug. 14

Hay dudes,just read Jane's post. I felt your pain with those winds. Sometimes the mountain climbs are better than the wide open spaces if that wind is howling. Looks like you're headed towards Steamboat,a good destination. Kremling would be a good place not to spend the night,not much there.Assuming you're heading towards Winter Park (Berthod Pass),you are in for a beautiful ride. Well assuming I have the route right, and assuming you somehow get this message,I hope it gives you a little help. However, it seems you've been doing just fine without my help. Al 49mph not bad with 80 lps of gear.Don't break any land speed records just yet. Keep on having a great time, and continue to keep those bikes humming.Talk to you soon .

Name: Dianne

Date:    8/15/2K

Hey Guys, Just read Larry Corman's post...and, I too feel your pain. I know, because I just climbed, uh, well...I just climbed three flights of stairs. Does that count? :) Love, Dianne

Name: Lou Andrews

Date:    15 Aug 00

Hi Al and Dan: Sitting here with Kyle and just read all the updates. This web stuff is cool - never have been on the web before. Sounds like you are having a great trip, and I'm enjoying charting your progress. Boomer is sitting on Kyle's lap (panting her butt off!) as I type this. Her insulin level is up to 21 units twice daily and climbing again. Al, I'm sure you will be seeing her not long after you get back. Hope the rest of your adventure is as great as the first part, minus the 60kt headwinds, of course!!

Name: Bob

Date:    8/15/2000

Hi guys. You may have wondered why I haven't written in almost 2 weeks (I don't know.....maybe you haven't), but these past 2 weeks have been a little rough for me. What started off as a small tooth-ache became an infection under my last remaining wisdom tooth and I had it yanked ten days ago. Within a very short time after my lower face (jaw and under the chin) swelled to the size of a grapefruit. I couldn't eat, talk or swallow without excruciating pain. It lasted all weekend and I finally went back to the oral surgeon on Monday, Aug 6. They had given me amoxacillin originally and it obviously wasn't working. Dr. said it was a very bad infection that had spread very rapidly and she put me Clindamycin (600 mg every 4 hours, later reduced to every 6 hours). It has taken 10 days for the swelling to come down but it is almost normal now, just a small amount in the glands and not much pain now. Anyway I was following your progress on the website but didn't feel up to writing. I hope you understand. You guys are terrific. I have a lot of respect and admiration for both of you. Al, I'm very proud of your accomplishment and I tell everyone I can about it. I hope you gave my regards to Old Faithful (he never writes)if you saw him. One of my favorite memories of Jellystone.....er Yellowstone, was horseback riding. I had a horse named Cortez who was yellow with a big handlebar mustache. I should have asked you to look him up. Now that you're in Rawlins WY you appear to be close to entering Colorado. By the way, I noticed that wherever you guys have been, the fires follow... Bitteroot Mtns, Yellowstone. If I see that Rawlins is the site of some new fires, I might start to get a little suspicious.....Naaahh, I'm sure it's just a coincidence. Enjoy the Rockies. After Pueblo you won't see mountains again for a long time, until you reach eastern Kentucky. Keep it going. Wishing you tail winds and 10 mile downhills. Bob

Name: Marianne

Date:    8/16/00

Hello Sir and Al, Things here on the home front are just fine. Mom wasn't kidding, the pool looks GREAT! I can't believe I haven't been in it even once this summer. Where does the time go? You seem to be using your time wisely and traveling at an exceptional speed. You guys are WONDERFUL! Mom is doing well. She watched Jake for us last Friday so that Mike and I could go out to celebrate Mike’s birthday and our anniversary. We had a wonderful date. Jake was a little angel for grammy. The only disaster we have recently is that a storm blew in last week (lots of wind) and a big branch flew from the neighbors tree and landing on our patio awning. Needless to say, it got squished. Thank goodness for insurance. The damage came to a outrageous amount of $1,400. Amazing! But otherwise, all is well. I miss you lots and can't wait to see you. It just isn't the same here without you. I look forward to celebrating your return. Love you lots. Prayers and Hugs, Marianne

Name: Jane	BIG sky country
Date:    8-16-00
They're at Walden Pond-Just kidding! Al called from a city park in Walden, Colorado(the moose-viewing capital of the world) so they've happily put another state behind them! Wyoming gave them another day of strong headwinds (4 days in a row). They spent the night of 8-14 in Riverside, WY., right next to Encampment and the CO border. On their way to Kremmling today. Hopefully, no more fires and no more headwinds for these two amazing guys!

Name: Bob

Date:    8/16/2000 7:00 p.m. ET

Hello Men. It's wonderful to read the reports from Jane and I'm looking forward to seeing more pictures. You guys have been traveling now for four weeks and I haven't heard anything but positives from you. Obviously, you're enjoying every minute of this journey of a lifetime. If you reach Kremmling tonight you will have traveled 55 miles today from Walden and again you'll have crossed the Continental Divide through Muddy Pass (el. 8772). I believe that you're heading toward Dillon which is 51 miles further south and you should be there tomorrow night where you will cross I-70 and head the 10 miles or so to Frisco near Copper Mountain and Vail. It's real nice there and a great place to stop for the night. From there you head south toward Fairplay through Breckenridge and again cross the Continental Divide at Hoosier Pass (el 11541). Man-o-man. Not for the faint hearted. From Dillon to Hartsel is 56 miles and you may be in Hartsel Friday night, although I suspect that those climbs could slow down your pace a bit. Hartsel to Canon City is 50 miles (at Canon City is the Royal Gorge T. Bridge, 1053 feet above the Arkansas River and I hope you get to see that) and Pueblo is another 43 miles beyond that so you will probably reach Pueblo on Sunday night, God willing. And that will be the end of the Rocky Mountains. From Pueblo to the Kansas border is about 155 miles and you should hit Kansas two days after you leave Pueblo and be over half way through the trip. I would guess (and hope)that you'll use Pueblo as another resting spot for a few days to rejuvenate, do laundry, etc., like you did in Missoula. Well, I'm still here at the office and I think I'll go home and get something to eat. Be well. May the wind be at your back and may God hold you in the palm of His hand. Bob

Name: Shirley Cohen

Date:    August 16,2000

Hi guys, Hope things are going well for you. I am Al's cousin from Van Nuys, CA. Some years ago my son did this trip that your on now, thus I find it most interesting following your travels. Take good care of yourselves.

Name: Chris	Along the Madison River (bear country)
Date:    8/17/00
I had no idea keeping up with this site would be (another) full time job! Great fun though - I think we all feel just a little part of your grand adventure. Our own trip to Colorado - just a week too early to cross your path - was terrific. One outstanding highlight was mountain biking - Bradley & I rented some nice full suspension bikes and being the typical weekend warriors we headed right for the "expert" singletrack trails. Aside from more pure exhaustion than I think I've ever felt on a road bike, we had a blast - a great workout, awesome scenery, and those terrifyingly fun downhill runs. If mountain biking around here were more varied I'd probably go out and buy one tomorrow (and maybe I will anyway)! Colorado is an amazing place - when I IPO the TeamR site it's a condo in Aspen for me! Good luck - looking for more pictures soon from Jane to upload.

Name: Jane

Date:    8-17-00

They biked into Kremmling around 3:30 on 8-16,found Bob's Western Motel and then went in search of John at Motion Sports. John, in case you're checking the website, Al told me to send you a message: "You're the man! The bike is working well!" Al had nothing but great things to say about how helpful John was! When Al called this afternoon, they were 20 miles from Breckenridge. The pictures Al sent are terrific: beautiful, scenic shots of Montana; great pictures Of Dave, Scully and her pups; helpful people from the road; good biking shots of Dan and Al (Dan got his hair cut and Al has a full beard!) I'll get the pictures to Chris. It was so good hearing from them.

Name: Jane

Date:    8-17-00

Forgot to include that they had some stiff headwinds again yesterday...Al was calling today from a pine forest and I could hear the wind blowing...

Name: Dan Gutin	Contact with Dave
Date:    8/17/00
Hi Dad and Dan. I thought I'd check in on your progress while I'm roughing it up in Istanbul, Turkey. I'm glad things are well, I can't believe it's been 4 weeks already. Istanbul is an interesting city. We had an excellent dinner cruise last night on the Bosphorous which links the Black Sea to the Marmara sea. Our 3 days of meetings are over, and I'll be staying through the weekend to look around and find a good Turkish rug for my apartment... Love, Dan

Name: Ken and Karen

Date:    8-17-2000

Heavy rain and lightning here this PM. Hope you will have clear skies when you ride. Al, our kids are here this week from Chicago and Ysabella is really fun. Got her a little folks' bike to keep for riding when they come here. Tomorrow will start her "big adventure.:

Name: Bob

Date:    8/17/2000

Hi Al & Dan. I guess you'll be staying in Breckenridge tonight. You're making great progess over what I assume is some pretty tough biking. Looks like your weather has cooled off quite a bit from what it was in Idaho and Montana. 60's and 70's during the day in the mountains and cold at night. I can imagine what the skies look like at night if it's clear. In the words of Carl Sagan..... "billions and billions of stars". Vaya con Dios.

Name: Deanna

Date:    August 17, 2000

Hi, I hope everything is going smoothly. Al, you should know that you are now part of the first grade curriculum at Colonial Hills. Forty plus first graders will be following your progress. Should you be nervous? I'm not sure. I'll let you know when I get to know the class. Deanna

Name: Nancy/Frank

Date:    8/17/00

Thanks for your card,Al- We have fond memories of that geography from some years back. You both now have first hand understanding of why the mountains there are called the "WIND River Range". We hope the wind comes from the west foer a good while. "Happy Trails".

Name: John and Lois Camealy

Date:    8-17-00

Just had a great dinner with Kay in Galena and was finally able to reach you on the web. It's been darned busy. We have a dear friend that lives in Encampment, Wy and we visited him there last time we drove west. Thinking about you both, Our

Name: Al and Dan	A welcome guest!
Date:    8/17/00 9:00pm
Hi all, It's us again. We are just outside "Breck"as the locals call it. Thunderstorms has convinced us to stay indoors again. Tomorrow we tackle Hoosier Pass 11,500' the highest point on the Trans Am route. We are in good shape both physically and mentally. We want to thanks everyone again for all the wonderful messages on the web site. It really makes a difference knowing you are following our progress . Ill send more info as computers become available. Al and Dan

Name: Dick and Melba Atkinson

Date:    8/18/00

Al--sounds like you are having a great ride. We look forward to your arrival in Charlottesville. Hope you can stay a couple of days with us. We have plenty of room for both of you.

Name: Mike Derr

Date:    8/19/00

Hi guys- I'm the fellow traveler from lolo pass, lolo springs, & jackson. Sounds like the trip is going well, I finished strong to Jackson Hole wy, and kind of looked for you along the way, but you outdistanced me. You must be getting stronger. I enjoyed our fellowship on the road, I'll keep watching you on the website (great idea) Stay on your side of the white line. Best of Luck Mike.

Name: Bob

Date:    8/19/2000

Hi guys. From what I can gather, you're getting a lot of rain in your part of Colorado this weekend. It also looks like the temperatures will heat up when you get to Canon City and Pueblo. Back into the 90s. Maybe you can wait out the rain in a movie theater? Ha! Neither sleet, nor snow, nor rain.....etc. Mush on!!!

Name: Linda & Ted Beegle

Date:    8/20/2000

Hey, when you hit Kentucky, will you stop to pick up Scotty, another rescue cocker who needs a home? Linda saw him on the internet! Love, Paddington and Gingerbread ;-)

Name: Kay (via Chris)	It's not haze - SMOKE.
Date:    8/20/00
Dan & Al spent last night (Saturday) in Florence, CO, having come through Hartsel. They had a 30 delightful mile downhill ride - very scenic & enjoyable. Pueblo tonight - it's just 30 miles down the road, so they expect to arrive about noon, and take off the rest of the day. The contrast between Breckenridge & Florence was pronounced - the nouveau rich of ski country versus cowboys - the real kind. Nearly done with the mountains; now it's the Great Plains. We'll all pray for strong tailwinds!

Name: Pete Clark

Date:    Aug.21, 2000

Hey Dan and Al, I'm having trouble sleeping tonight so I thought I would surf the net awhile. You must be in Pubelo by now and looking over your shoulder at Pikes Peak. Once you get West of Pueblo it should flatten out and if my math is correct downhill from 5,200' to 1000' the rest of the way to Ohio. You guys are some machines, you just keep rolling along. Good luck and may the Great Spirit protect you through the Indian country.

Name: Pete Clark

Date:    Aug.21, 2000

Opps a directional typo. I meant to say East of Pueblo not West.

Name: John Clark

Date:    8-21-00

Dan and Al, We're all enjoying watching you go across America. I'm surprised that the politicians haven't contacted you about putting bumper stickers on your bikes. On second thought maybe you should contact some fortune 500 company to pay for advertising. Anyway keep on treking. I know that it must be tiring at the end of the day but that you must enjoy most of the day immensely. It's good to keep in touch with the rest of the family through their notes to you.

Name: Lisa

Date:    8/21/00

Hi Dr. Gutin and Dan. I glad to hear that everything is going well for you guys. You are very inspiring. I hope everything continues to go well We all love checking for updates everyday. See you Soon.

Name: Rich Donahey	Cynthia/Maryann - cyclist/librarian(s),     helped them get to the web site.
Date:    8/21/00
Hello Al and Dan! Congratulations on your journey thus far!!! You guys are awesome. I am now living in the Denver area and would enjoy meeting you at some point along your trip through Colorado, if possible. If there is anything that I can do to help let me know. Good luck! H: 303-273-9683 W: 303-779-3856 May Tail Winds Carry You Swiftly, Rich

Name: Jim

Date:    8/21/00

Dear Al and Dan I am glad to see you safely made it out of the mountains. Good Luck on the plains ahead. Everything is going well at the hospital, we have been busy. Take care.

Name: chris

Date:    8/21/00

New pictures tonight - check out journal archive 2 and the current journal. Hi Rich!

Name: Paul and Melanie Karr

Date:    8/22/2000

Hi, Dan and Al, Keeping track of you guys via the website. You go, guys! Hope we can get together soon, you'll really have a story to tell. Everything is fine here, keep on biking!

Name: Lynne Hayes

Date:    8/22/00

HiAl...Your brother Bob's sister-in-law from Kansas City sending you a "welcome to Kansas" message~! Heard you'll be passing through Girard in the next few days. Enjoy the prairie view and the flat riding. The weather looks OK this week except for the heat! Best wishes for a safe return home. -

Name: Nancy/Frank

Date:    8/22/00

The inclusion of photos adds immeasurably to our enjoyment of the journal. Now that you are on the "flatlands", it is time to change your wake-up music to the theme from "Rawhide" - ("Rollin',rollin', rollin'") You are 5 weeks on the road, but who's counting-

Name: Al and Dan

Date:    8/22/00 3:00pm mt. time

Hi everybody, We are in Eads, Co. We spent last night in a little town called Sugar City. We camped in the town park. It stormed all night including hail, lightening and strong winds. The little tents held up well again. We ate breakfast at the little cafe in town and heard all the locals joking about how the cafe owner should have let us stay in the caboose in the park. She had the key and felt guilty about not letting us use the old relic. We were better off in our tents. The wind has been favorable the last 2 days. Mostly out of the southwest but it has given us a boost. The temperature has heated up since we came out of the mts. By the way, what a great 2 days of downhills on our way to Pueblo. We should hit the Kansas border tomorrow and if the winds cooperate continue east at a good pace. More updates at the next computer and again thanks to everyone for your encouragement and comments. Al and Dan

Name: Marilyn Garvin

Date:    9-22-00

Hi Al & Dan, I was in Colorado about the same time as you guys visiting my daughter, husband, and grandson. I know Jane was in Denver with Carol. I just finished reading all the journal entries and love following you across the US. Jane tells me that you are having a great time and now I have read about it for myself. Keep up the great job. I can't wait to read more about your adventures. Marilyn

Name: Clara & Frank Bunk

Date:    8/22/00

Hi Dan & Al: Just want to let you know how we have enjoyed reading about your advenutres. It sounds like you're doing great. You certainly are making good progress. Hope the plains aren't too boring after all that gorgeous scenery. Al your place looks great. The lawn and plantings are doing well. We have had good rains here and also wonderfully low humidity. The house across from Amy had a tag sale and was put up for sale and already has a sale pending sign on it. That the news from Riverlea. Dave Norman, from our church asks about your progress and always smiles when we tell him how great you're doing.

Name: Denise

Date:    8/22/00

Hi Dan & Al! I finally finished my dissertation, now I am a PhD! The graduation is next week. It was great to read all the messages and know you are doing so well! Hope to see you when passing through Kentuky!!! Randy says to enjoy Kansas! That the people are the most friendly! Continue having a great ride! All tail wind!!!!!

Name: Mike Gutin

Date:    8/22/00 11:58 PM

Hi Al and Dan, I got a chance to log in and check out your progress of the past few days. Sounds like you're having a heck of a good time. Really enjoyed seeing the recent photos. Thanks Al for the post cards from the Tetons and from Colorado. It's very exciting digging in to the mailbox and coming out with a card from you from God knows where. Sounds like it will be flat land riding for a while now. Hope the winds are in your favor. The weather in Santa Barbara has finally cooled off these past couple of days after two weeks of high heat and high humidity. It's much easier to sleep when it's cool. Leaving next Wednesday to go up to Yosemite for the Strawberry Music Festival over an extended Labor Day weekend.. They have a great music lineup this time. Gary and Cathy Levin and their two kids, and Ken Levin will be there too. Be safe and have lots of fun. Mike

Name: Henry & Vickie Dagit

Date:    8-23-00

What a neat web site. Chris is doing a great job and so are you guys. It is neat to be able to check on you, see how you are doing and where you are. Are you coming our way? Keep up the good work and best of luck on the rest of your journey. The Dagits

Name: Kay (via Chris)

Date:    8/23/00

50 miles from Kansas, and they understand the motivation behind the "Flat Earth Society". Rooster woke them up at 4:00 a.m. and would not let them go back to sleep. Dan is listening to the BBC on his wireless at night.

Name: Chelsea, Amelia, Olivia

Date:    8/23/00

Dear Grampy, We are sorry we missed you in Colorado. The mountains were awesome and we hiked constantly. We backpacked one night and it rained on our tent a little. It was wonderful. We hope the rest of your trip goes well. Chelsea is now a full-fledged teenager and she is taking full use of it. She is always a joy. Soccer season has begun again and we need another driver. Hurry home. Chelsea, Amelia, and Olivia

Name: Al and Dan

Date:    8/24/00 2PM

We just saw the current entries. Thanks. Chelsea is a teenager? Consider this a birthday card. Thanks to all of you who add to this journal. We are now in Dighton, Kansas and the winds that generally come out of the west aren't, but if we wait that might change. It changes 9 to l0 mph to l5 to l8 mph - quite a difference. Also, the temperature is not cooperating, it is now in the mid 90's, but we press on. We hope to get to Ness tonight. But, it's 30 miles and with a headwind and mid 90's, we might wait until tomorrow. More later. Al and Dan.

Name: Bob

Date:    8/24/2000 @11:30 p.m. ET

Get your kicks..... on Rouute 96..... Hi guys. Hot enough for ya???? Temperature hovering around 100 for the next three or four days. It's got to be brutal out there in our nations' mid-section!!! Dighton - population 1390. Ness City - population 1769. WOW!!! And these are the larger towns out there in the velterhine. Bet you can't wait to arrive at the great metropolis of Great Bend, Kansas - population 17400. After Great Bend you will hit the more populated areas of Kansas (and the United States for that matter). Great Bend is about half way through Kansas. By the way, you're now in the Central Time Zone. Way to go. You guys continue to amaze me. Like two energizer bunnies..... you just keep going and going and going!!!! Al, congratulations to you and Jane on your wedding anniversary, Friday, August 25. Best wishes for many many more. Absence does make the heart grow fonder. Doesn't it???? Sure!!! James is back in school for the start of his last year in high school and I start teaching at the law school again next Monday. Hard to believe the summer is over. Time seems to be be moving at a more rapidly accelerating pace. Or is it just me?? Eastward ho, gentlemen. Bob

Name: Marianne

Date:    8/25/00

Hello Dan and Al, You are still doing GREAT! I love reading all the notes from everyone. Each time I read them I feel as I have just had a nice visit with them. We have been busy here with the house stuff. If all goes well, we should have a new address by the time you get back. We have found a wonderful house!!!!!! Can’t wait to get moved. It even has a room all decorated for Jake. How much more perfect could that be. Mom saw the new house and loved it too. Keep up the good work! Hugs and prayers, Marianne

Name: Zach Smih

Date:    August 25, 2000

Hello Team Riverlea! Hello Dan and Al! Hope all is going well!! As you probably know I'm back in the saddle. Yes, It is True! Hopefully we will ride together again. I would also like to invite the rest of team "R" to return to the Sunday rides. 8:00 on Sunday Mornings, at Alum Creek. That is all for now. Keep up the Good work Dan and Al!!!

Name: Jane

Date:    8-26-00

I was gone for a few days but it looks like you all got to hear a bit more first hand from Al and Dan. That's great! They started out from Dighton the morning of 8-25 and rode 68 miles in sweltering heat: 100 plus degrees. They called from an air conditioned (Hallelujah!) motel in LaCrosse, KS., off their route about four miles north. They've put 2,208 miles on their legs and behinds. Lordy, they're strong!

Name: Gail Fellman

Date:    August 26, 2000

Hi Al & Dan, Boy, will my husband Mike be envious when he reads about all your wonderful adventures. He's eager to just ride around the rim of Lake Tahoe! Your ride sounds incredible and you guys must be in the best shape ever! What a wonderful way to see this glorious country of ours and I'm sure you're meeting great folks. I can't even imagine doing even part of what you are doing. Love the website; really enjoyed reading all the entries. Bob just emailed us today about it. Stay healthy and may you have lots of downhills! Love, Gail

Name: Diane Edwards

Date:    8-27-00

Hi Al and Dan. Boy, you guys are really making progress. We have enjoyed reading about your exploits on the web page. How do you like the flatlands? Hope you are getting good tail winds, not head winds. Take care, Diane

Name: Betsi Lewitter

Date:    August 27

Hey Cuz! Wow, Bob just emailed us about your adventure. I'm very impressed! Will definitely keep an eye on your progress. Stay safe and enjoy it all. Show the world Boomers still have what it takes!!

Name: Uncle Sid

Date:    August 27, 2000

We old guys go cross-country too. I use something called Greyhound. Keep it up Al! Tempus Fidgets and you should do it while your young. Drop me a note enroute. Love to you and your family. U.S.

Name: Linda and Ted Beegle

Date:    8/27/2000

WE ARE SO IMPRESSED WITH YOUR STAMINA! I got up at 1:15 today, that's PM, don't you know?! You're almost finished for the day by then, I imagine. School starts tomorrow. Wish I were with you! Much love, Linda and Ted