YOUR AD HERE »

38th annual Maybell bike ride sees statewide attention

News News |

Andy Bockelman
  

Cyclists get moving on the western edge of Craig as part of the Where the Hell's Maybell bike ride Saturday, May 4.
Andy Bockelman/Craig Press

A slow but steady excursion across Northwest Colorado takes place each May, and for those who haven’t seen the high desert vistas of Moffat County, they’ll soon be viewing it in a new perspective.

The 38th annual Where the Hell’s Maybell? cycling journey saw dozens of cyclists of all ages Saturday morning take to the shoulder of US Highway 40 between Craig and Maybell for a peaceful ride.

With both cyclists who have been making the ride for the better part of four decades and those who were in their first year attempting it — as well as those in Tour de France level gear compared to those in sweatshirts and jeans — the conditions were just right for all experience levels, said Craig Parks and Rec’s Travis Sanford.

“Not a lot of wind on this go-round, which is great. I think this is the best Maybell ride we’ve had as far as weather in the last five years since I’ve been doing it,” Sanford said.

Sanford estimated nearly 100 riders in the mix, not all of whom made the whole 30-mile trip, ending in Maybell Park for breakfast provided by Bear River Young Life.

Sanford noted that a crew from Rocky Mountain PBS was present to get footage of the trek — among other activities in the area — a project which has been in the works for about a month with Moffat County Tourism Association.

Show CaptionsHide Captions

“They’re trying to bring more exposure to Moffat County and everything we’ve got here in terms of recreation,” Sanford said. “They were filming some drones over the riders and everything.”

He added that Parks and Rec updated their t-shirts to coincide with the filming.

“We got it all revamped with a new logo,” he said.

With nearly the full ride behind them, friends Fiona Heaney and Courtney Normand stopped just before the park for a selfie with the Maybell city limits sign.

Though they spent most of the morning side by side, Heaney said the hills separated them from time to time.

“I was the tortoise and Courtney was the hare,” she laughed.

The sunny yet cool weather was a factor there, Normand said.

“If it hadn’t been 30 degrees, it might have been different,” she said.

Normand said Where the Hell’s Maybell? was her best bike ride yet this spring as an activity that she often takes seriously.

“I’d say comedic serious, not too serious, no sponsorships or anything like that, but I love doing it,” Normand said.

Heaney said that while she takes cycling more casually, it’s something she enjoys for multiple reasons.

‘It’s a good way to see some different sights. It’s a fun, passive way of getting around. I wanted to be outside today, and get some sun,” she said. “I like how biking is a very independent, solo sport, where if you don’t want to wait on anyone, you can be out doing it in five minutes versus rafting or fishing.”

More Like This, Tap A Topic
sports
Entertainment
See more

Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Craig and Moffat County make the Craig Press’ work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.