From Denver to Durango, the 530 mile Colorado Trail takes on some of the most spectacular scenery the Rocky Mountains has to offer. The Trail passes through National Forests, traverses major river systems and penetrates eight of Colorado's mountain ranges. With an average elevation of 10,300 feet, and featuring nearly every style of riding imaginable, the riding will be hard and the going at times slow. Lachlan found all of this out the last time he took on the route in 2019.
“It was everything I could do to finish it. I’ve thought about it at least every week since then, how much it kicked my butt,” he said.
As Lachlan was preparing for the ride, he learned of his friend Sule Kangangi’s passing. Sule had traveled from his native Kenya to race with his fellow riders from Team AMANI in the US. Through racing and training together in Africa, Europe and the US, Lachlan and Sule had become friends. Lachlan will dedicate his Colorado Trail ride to his friend, carrying Sule’s memory over the passes and through the Colorado clouds.
There is a GoFundMe to support Sule’s family that has raised more than $70,000, and Lachlan, the team, and Cannondale have partnered with the organizer to set up a sweepstakes to raise more funds. Donors will be registered to win a complete bicycle from Cannonade and other team-issue gear. Click here to enter and support the Kangangi family.