Day 15 - Rest Day - Colorado Springs, CO
8am, uhh, no...
9am, ha...keep trying...
ok, fine, at 10:15 am we rose to pancakes and OJ. Mr. and Mrs. Henke (John and Judy) spoiled us for sure, but we loved every moment of it!
(left to right): John & Judy Henke, les, aaron
After breakfast and planning out next week's destinations (as we had to modify our original plan because of our trip up to Colorado Springs), we tossed our bikes, bags, and bodies into John's truck and he drove us around town a bit. First we stopped at his good friend, Russ' house (both toured from San Diego to CO Springs on bikes) to meet him and share stories. It was great to be in both of their company just hanging out. Les and I learned a great deal and had fun just hanging out with our new friends.
Next John took us down to his favorite bike shop so we could reload on some amo (namely inner tubes). While I am on the subject, there was a bike hanging up in the bike shop that looked to be at least 25 years old with a sign that read: "ask why this bike is worth $72,000." Obviously us three all had to know, so we asked, but what do you think? It wasn't anything special, really, but I am curious to hear what your guesses, for they are as good as ours were...we'll give the answer next post. p.s.--John, no telling!
John was happy to treat Les and I to some great food at Poor Richards. Turns out this place is an Indie cafe/diner, a cinema turned children's toy store, a pub/coffee shop, and a used and new book store. It was really really fun to see. I certainly with there were more of these in Southern California.
A shot of the Pub/Coffee shop and the bookstore
Next John was more than happy to drop us off at "the garden of the gods"--a natural reserve/hiking area with some cool scenic look outs. We messed around there for a bit and then found our way back to Old Downtown CO Springs at a coffee shop called "Agia Sophia." This place, by far, has been the coolest coffee house I have been in all trip. It could be a Christian-owed place, however that wasn't explicitly stated, but all around the shop were books on prayer and Christian Spirituality. The coffee was a bit overpriced but the atmosphere was simply incredible. They had very ambient, low-key music playing, a cafe downstairs equipped with ancient looking furniture, and a bookstore upstairs with plenty of rooms to relax/read it. Very cool. (by the way, I almost feel like this trip is partly about finding the best coffee house...so far we've visited at least 4 really cool ones within Colorado alone).
Espresso & Books. I love it!
Typing away, enjoying my day off.
A shot of the entrance/coffee bar area
Our friend Jaci just moved out to CO springs to go to a nursing school, so we were sure to meet up with her and talk. It's kinda cool that we can just ride our bikes for 14 days and end up at a place where we know somebody!
Les standing in front of a statue of Spencer Penrose, a man who struck it rich on gold in the hills of CO Springs (check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spencer_Penrose if you want to know more...)
Check out the size of this cup that Les was given water in! It's easily 24 oz!
Our evening ended by being dropped off at Russ' place again (we'd be staying the night at his place and going to church with him in the morning). All in all this was a rest day that was well worth the extra miles and Les and I are quite glad we did it.
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6 comments:
Sad that you guys are leaving Colorado. Have fun now that it's flat! We miss you lots and I make it a point to check every day to see how guys are doing. Make sure you spend the next few days into Kansas City counting road kill along the way...
I shared your blog with Big Poppa last night and he is hooked. He loves the coffee shops you have found and is very proud of your accomplishments thus far. Poor Richards’s… coffee, chocolate, wine and books, it doesn’t get better than that in his book! You know how he loves to ride his stretch cruiser to the coffee house.
And how blessed are you to have found such kind and considerate people along the way!
We have friends in Fredericksburg, VA if you find you need a place to stay in that area.
We are enjoying the pics and the videos. We agree with Jessie, that shadow pic is very cool! The video of you pushing yourselves up that steep grade to Monarch Crest, it made us feel breathless just watching. How great it must feel as you pedal through each mile!
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Pedal on……….
hmmmm... I wonder if that bike was some sort of award- winning bike 25 yrs ago. Or it could be made of gold...
please do tell!
also, that Agia Sophia cafe sounds really good... It looks really good. The well designed and antique-looking street light and sign, the authentic decoration.... That's what a cafe should be.
speaking of which, maybe you should really get that cafe shop open when you get back and you know what I'll say about that, ill always be your helping hand
Did the bike belong to Elvis or something? Had diamonds embedded in the handle bars?! How fun! You guys!! I'm excited to tell you I have a new used road bike and I took it in to get a tune up. Being that it is biking season, its going to take a week!! But they said I could come and watch the tune up so I can learn a few things!! I think of you both whenever I see bikers...which is everyday!!
Jessie Becher
the bike is worth $27,000 because Chuck Norris shaped it with his bare hands...
?
that's all I got.
I'm going to have to say that someone signed it. like elvis or martha stewert. I heard that they were both avid bikers somewhere...
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