Presentation Title
Steamboat Man Completes 2,000 Mile Bike Ride to Grand Canyon
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450
State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone:
928-638-2468explorethecanyon.com
More than seven weeks after first setting off from Steamboat
Springs, Sergio Ryan spent the final night of his journey camping
near the Yampa River between Craig and Hayden.
Here is Sergio Ryan
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450
State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone:
928-638-2468explorethecanyon.com
Ryan had already surpassed 2,000 miles on his 1980s-era Fuji
bicycle, a heavy hunk of steel borrowed from his father.
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450
State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone:
928-638-2468explorethecanyon.com
What a long rideWhen Ryan made it back to Steamboat on Oct. 23
53 days after leaving he had tallied more than 2,200 miles on his
bike.
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450
State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone:
928-638-2468explorethecanyon.com
The trip took him to the Grand Canyon and back, and during that
time he learned a lot about perseverance and what matters most in
life.
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450
State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone:
928-638-2468explorethecanyon.com
Ryan, 23, moved to Steamboat last year after graduating from the
University of St. Thomas, in his home state of Minnesota, with a
degree in English.
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450
State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone:
928-638-2468explorethecanyon.com
A lifelong athlete who spent the winter as a ski instructor, he
did little to train for his endeavor.
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450
State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone:
928-638-2468explorethecanyon.com
The idea of biking into the American Southwest had little to do
with the physical challenge, but of the emotional and mental
battles it would bring.
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450
State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone:
928-638-2468explorethecanyon.com
Every day I just set my own goals and it was up to me to
complete them, Ryan said. It didnt cross my mind my to quit.
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450
State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone:
928-638-2468explorethecanyon.com
Knowing he would have some down time during mud season between
his seasonal jobs, he spent more than two months researching and
preparing for his trip.
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450
State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone:
928-638-2468explorethecanyon.com
He left Steamboat on Sept. 1 his birthday.
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450
State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone:
928-638-2468explorethecanyon.com
Taking his road bike down smaller highways and avoiding the
Interstate, Ryan went southwest through Telluride, cut through
Utahs desert to Monument Valley, Lake Powell, and ultimately the
North Rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450
State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone:
928-638-2468explorethecanyon.com
His return journey took him northwest of there to Coral Pink
Sand Dunes State Park in Utah, where he had one of the best moments
of his trip.
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450
State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone:
928-638-2468explorethecanyon.com
The bad moments included his first flat tire riding through the
heart of the Navajo Nation Reservation.
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450
State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone:
928-638-2468explorethecanyon.com
I think you learn a lot about whats important. There is a lot of
reflection time when you are out on the road. I think that was
definitely the best part, Ryan said.
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450
State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone:
928-638-2468explorethecanyon.com
Im looking forward to the future!Ryan, who intends to stick
around Steamboat this winter and again work as a ski instructor,
has no other trips in mind, but said he would definitely be up for
another in the future.
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450
State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone:
928-638-2468explorethecanyon.com
We Love the Grand Canyon National
Parkwww.explorethecanyon.com
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450
State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone:
928-638-2468explorethecanyon.com
