Stretch For The Peaks

Bike & Build calls for flexibility.  While we are a supported ride and our leaders put in a lot of work to ensure that things run smoothly, sometimes we run into little hitches.  Maybe there is roadwork and we have to exit a roadway a little early or go on a slight detour.  Maybe 2/3 of the team gets a stomach bug and the leaders have to shuttle bikes, riders and luggage in multiple trips to Dallas.  

The reason I bring up the concept of flexibility is because the next couple of days have necessitated a change of plans.  There is a forest fire in Yosemite National Park and as a result, Highway 120, our main means of transport through the park, is being overcome by smoke and getting closed down.  

As a result, we are unable to bike our planned route into the park.  No Tioga Pass for SUS14.  Rather, we are taking two National Park buses into the park and then shuttling to Porcipine trailhead where we will then hike 10 miles to our host, a school located within the park.  

Yes, there is a fire but our new plan takes us far away from the area that is in danger.  Yosemite is over 1,200 square miles and the area where fire fighters are working to control the small fire is over 50 miles away from our host as the crow flights.  

Our leaders have worked hard to come up with an alternative plan and a lot of my teammates are excited about the prospect of Hike & Build.  One of our leaders is driving the van an upwards of 300 miles today, traveling all the way around the park so that she can enter from the other side and get all our bikes, bags and food items to our host.  Take a look at the mad packing job in the van: all the bags, 4 bikes and 5 riders! 

In the mean time, enjoy these gorgeous pictures because Yosemite is absolutely breathtaking regardless of whether you bike, hike or drive.