Sun 20th June - Salida to Fairplay (9888'). 58.6miles, 16mph ave, 3.50.47 ride time, 3533' climbed. Oooh, fathers day so monster pancakes at Buena Vista en-route to celebrate...then the long climb over Trout Creek Pass (9346') with a full belly! Down a bit then up to the highest 'sleeping' point for the entire trip. The road was very busy so not a lot of fun but the 'Any Pizza for $10' deal at the local Pizza Hut compensated a little.
Mon 21st June - Fairplay to Frisco ( 9049'). 83.7miles, 17mph ave, 4.52.52 ride time, 3226' climbed. I started the day with a 6.30am run; thought it would be interesting to see what it is like to run up-hill starting at c. 10,000ft...not easy is the answer but then it was my first run in weeks!! A 30min run was sufficient to prove this! Although already high up the days ride started straight up hill and climbed Hoosier Pass the summit of which was only 12miles from Fairplay and at 11,539ft was another record for us. A long descent then took us through the ski resort of Breckonridge and on to Frisco. This was meant to be a short ride ie only 32miles to Frisco, but we decided it would be a good idea to go and check out the route for where we will returning to on Wednesday in the RV (large motorhome). We ended up riding part of Wednesday's route then back to Frisco adding c. 50miles to the days ride. At least there will be fewer miles to ride on our first day with the ladies on Wednesday!
Tue 22nd June - Frisco to Denver (5414'). 93.5miles, 15mph ave, 6.12.50 ride time, 5421' climbed. What an eventful day! We started with a nice ride around the lake at Frisco before starting our assault of the highest climb for the entire trip. Loveland Pass, another pass on the Great Divide (Continental Divide) rises to a whopping 11,990ft. It was a wonderful climb as much of the traffic is taken by the Interstate 70 making this the most quiet of the passes ridden so far. Because the climb was so close to 12,000ft Derek and I walked the extra 10ft (+) up the hill side to hit the magic 12,000ft. The scenery and views riding up and at the top were breathtaking. Another bonus was being overtaken on the climb by a chain of Morgans...one of which, like me, was flying the Union Jack. When I got the top I was surrounded by the cars occupants like I was some kind of celebrity. Sadly, they had gone by the time Derek arrived at the top. The long descent to Denver then commenced where we were to meet Rhonda and Lesley, who were flying in from the UK, at a hotel near to the RV rental place. One challenge was trying to navigate our way from the top of Loveland to Denver without spending too much time on the I70 (freeway!!). For the first time on the trip, we went a little wrong a few times and the long route down ended up being more challenging than expected. Our problems were exacerbated by Derek braking a spoke in his rear wheel and buckling it badly necessitating freeing off the brake blocks to stop them binding. We needed to replace wheel asap but the first two bike shops we found were closed. However, we managed to limp into Denver where we found a suitable bike shop near to the hotel and a new rear wheel later and we were on our way again arriving at the hotel at c. 6pm. Just enough time to shower, change and update the Blog before Rhonda and Lesley arrive....can't wait to see them.
After tonight we will be staying on camp-sites so not sure how easy it will be to update the Blog...we will see.
Mon 21st June - Fairplay to Frisco ( 9049'). 83.7miles, 17mph ave, 4.52.52 ride time, 3226' climbed. I started the day with a 6.30am run; thought it would be interesting to see what it is like to run up-hill starting at c. 10,000ft...not easy is the answer but then it was my first run in weeks!! A 30min run was sufficient to prove this! Although already high up the days ride started straight up hill and climbed Hoosier Pass the summit of which was only 12miles from Fairplay and at 11,539ft was another record for us. A long descent then took us through the ski resort of Breckonridge and on to Frisco. This was meant to be a short ride ie only 32miles to Frisco, but we decided it would be a good idea to go and check out the route for where we will returning to on Wednesday in the RV (large motorhome). We ended up riding part of Wednesday's route then back to Frisco adding c. 50miles to the days ride. At least there will be fewer miles to ride on our first day with the ladies on Wednesday!
Tue 22nd June - Frisco to Denver (5414'). 93.5miles, 15mph ave, 6.12.50 ride time, 5421' climbed. What an eventful day! We started with a nice ride around the lake at Frisco before starting our assault of the highest climb for the entire trip. Loveland Pass, another pass on the Great Divide (Continental Divide) rises to a whopping 11,990ft. It was a wonderful climb as much of the traffic is taken by the Interstate 70 making this the most quiet of the passes ridden so far. Because the climb was so close to 12,000ft Derek and I walked the extra 10ft (+) up the hill side to hit the magic 12,000ft. The scenery and views riding up and at the top were breathtaking. Another bonus was being overtaken on the climb by a chain of Morgans...one of which, like me, was flying the Union Jack. When I got the top I was surrounded by the cars occupants like I was some kind of celebrity. Sadly, they had gone by the time Derek arrived at the top. The long descent to Denver then commenced where we were to meet Rhonda and Lesley, who were flying in from the UK, at a hotel near to the RV rental place. One challenge was trying to navigate our way from the top of Loveland to Denver without spending too much time on the I70 (freeway!!). For the first time on the trip, we went a little wrong a few times and the long route down ended up being more challenging than expected. Our problems were exacerbated by Derek braking a spoke in his rear wheel and buckling it badly necessitating freeing off the brake blocks to stop them binding. We needed to replace wheel asap but the first two bike shops we found were closed. However, we managed to limp into Denver where we found a suitable bike shop near to the hotel and a new rear wheel later and we were on our way again arriving at the hotel at c. 6pm. Just enough time to shower, change and update the Blog before Rhonda and Lesley arrive....can't wait to see them.
After tonight we will be staying on camp-sites so not sure how easy it will be to update the Blog...we will see.
Fantastic journey very well done, you made it a delight to follow and an interesting read during a break from work!, hope you & Rhonda have a lovely week (rest) in the RV, would like to see the photo's some time.
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