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Want A Hotel Room For Pedal The Plains? You’re Not Alone

Grace Hood

An estimated 1,300 people will flood into the northeastern plains towns of Wiggins, Fort Morgan and Sterling for the Third Annual Pedal The Plains cycling event. Cyclists are expected to spend Friday night in Fort Morgan and Saturday in Sterling.

There's one logistical hurdle though: Hotel rooms are tight.

The energy boom, combined with construction along Interstate 76 has lead to an acute shortage in hotel rooms in and around the town of Fort Morgan. As we've recently found out for ourselves, it’s an unpleasant surprise for anyone passing through town expecting to find accommodations.

To bridge the gap, Fort Morgan officials got creative, coordinating dozens of home stays with residents. They also converted one of the town’s high school gyms into a sleeping area. Kari Linker, executive director of the Morgan County Economic Development Corporation, said the high school’s practice field will also house tents.

“It’s going to be an interesting experience,” she said. “It might add to the adventure of the event.”

Hotel rooms in Sterling are tight, but as of the publishing of this story, there was still availability.

Credit Pedal The Plains
Map of the 2014 Pedal The Plains route.

Pedal on the Plains was established three years ago to celebrate the state’s farming and frontier roots. Cyclists will spend Saturday night in Sterling and circle back to Wiggins Sunday to finish the event.

“It’s brought a lot of people together. More than anything they want to showcase their community, their pride and their way of living,” said Linker.

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