TASP: Ready To Ride? Semper Fi: Let’s Roll!

27 Jul TASP: Ready To Ride? Semper Fi: Let’s Roll!

When I got to the parking area on Lizard Head Pass, nearly a platoon’s worth of mountain bikes was lying on the ground. Each had the name of its rider on a piece of paper on the handlebar. The Semper Fi troops soon arrived, each found his or her mount, we had a briefing about the equipment and our route, and we were off.

Semper Fi Fund was formed in 2003 with the mission to “provide immediate financial assistance and lifetime support to post-9/11 wounded, critically ill and injured members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, and their families.” This weekend with Telluride Adaptive Sports Program was an opportunity for a group of veterans with various injuries and ailments to enjoy some outdoor activities in our mountain air.

Briefing over, our group, many of whom were totally new to mountain biking, started down from Lizard Head Pass (elevation 10200′) on the old railroad grade to Trout Lake, and continued after a stretch on the paved highway to the single track of the Galloping Goose Trail. Some of the group continued on the “Goose” from Ilium Valley up to the Telluride Valley. Others opted for the comfort of one of the vans, then most continued on one of the trails on the Valley floor into Telluride.

There was a small contingent that opted to spend the day on the more challenging downhill course from the top of the Gondola.

As the participants returned their equipment to Telluride Sports in the Gondola Plaza at the end of the day my observations revealed a happy, tired group of warriors, with several requesting a replay. You will be welcome here in Telluride winter or summer. Come on back. Semper Fi!