chalking

A fun thing that is pretty central to bike & build is chalk. We each carry a piece of chalk with us in our jersey pocket, or in our camelbak, and take it out to write each other messages on the road. While riding we get pretty spread out along the road, and the chalk is a way to keep us connected and informed. We chalk the turns that we have to take even though we each have a cue sheet with directions, it's nice to see that you are indeed going the right way. We chalk when we pull off the road to stop at a gas station, or a lake so that the sweep riders know where we are and don't accidentally pass us by. My favorite is chalking encouraging or random funny messages to each other. We chalk a lot while climbing, messages that keep us moving up the mountains and make us laugh. It's a great way to feel connected. An alumni from 2008 came up with the idea to chalk for Paige, and so we have been writing messages to and for her and they were included in her memorial service. I thought you might like to see a few examples, so here they are:

Sometimes on steep climbs, popping a wheelie is a real problem...

After big climbs, we like to congratulate ourselves.

Megan chalked for Paige at the top of Trail Ridge Road.

I wrote mine in Estes Park.