| 6/16/2009 10:21:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| Karen Karnuta, a third-time Ride the Rockies participant, will pedal through Salida today along with nine other cyclists from Salida. The event features food and music starting around 1 p.m. in Riverside Park. Photo by Audrey Gilpin
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Locals Ride the Rockies
Audrey Gilpin - Mail Staff Writer
Ten Salidan cyclists will be among 2,000 participants in the six-day, 380-mile Denver Post Ride the Rockies tour.
Even though Jenny Filter, owner of Art of Dentistry in Salida, is "not really a biker," she will participate for the fourth time in Ride the Rockies.
"I ride in flip-flops mostly," Filter said. "I remember the year I got hailed on while wearing them. The weather can be really drastic on the tour."
Although a seasoned participant, Filter said she still enjoys meeting new people on the tour and camping from place to place.
A nine-year Salida resident, Filter admits she's looking forward to spending a night in her own bed.
"I only have to pack for three days, and I'll do laundry at home for the following days."
A third-time participant, Karen Karnuta, said the challenge of the ride keeps her returning to the tour.
Friends and fellow participants Elizabeth Clarke and Jackie Hughes, have been training with Karnuta since early spring.
"We've done a lot of cross training by hiking, running, biking and lifting weights. We ride up Poncha Pass once a week," Karnuta said.
Clarke, a first time participant, said she's excited to be on the tour with friends.
"We'll support each other and be a cheerleading group," Clarke said.
Seeing different parts of the state - not from a vehicle - Karnuta explained, is an important aspect of the tour.
"The tour gets me to places in Colorado I've never been and I enjoy riding the passes, because traffic is manageable."
Karnuta will travel through Salida for the first time this year during the tour and said she'll appreciate a night at home out of the weather.
Last time Salida hosted Ride the Rockies, 2006, married couple Greg Walter and Terri Dunn had "a little too much fun" during the home stay.
"We had fun with friends, got a late start the next morning and ended far from the group," Walter said.
As 15-year Salida residents, Walter and Dunn started training last fall and have bicycled almost 500 miles. They have done several overnight trips trying to ride big climbs and passes to prepare.
"The more miles you've got under your belt, the more fun had," Walter, owner of Strawbale Cottage Construction, said.
Although some people call tandem bikes "divorce bikes," Walter said, the couple considers tandem riding teamwork - an advantage.
"We see couples on single bikes have tension because one gets ahead of the other. We have conversations and eat lunch together. It's fun," Dunn said.
Walter labeled the tour an "affordable vacation" where he enjoys camaraderie and competition. Dunn looks forward to the route and scenery.
The tandem team and other participants took to the road Sunday in Glenwood Springs, traveling over McClure Pass to Hotchkiss.
Other local participants are Bryan and Susan Boyle, April Prout and Greg Ralph.
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