Tue 15th June - Cortez to Telluride (8829'). 75.7miles, 15mph ave, 5.10.46 ride time, 5000' climbed. This day was amazing; we climbed to the highest altitude ever on a bike, met some really nice people and rode through the most breathtaking scenery you could imagine. On our approach to the the Lizard Heads Pass which tops-out at 10,222' we met a lovely British couple (Mal and Helen) who have lives in Perth (Australia) for the last 15yeas and before that Singapore. They were cycling the Great Divide, south to north and off- road with camping kit in c. three months! They had their god-son (Andrew) and an American couple with them for some of the ride. before the pass started properly we all met up for lunch at Rico where we met a couple of girls that were riding across America from San Fransisco to the east coast; again, camping over c. three months. When we arrived at the top of the pass we met a couple of American cyclists (Ken and John) and had a good ol' chat before setting off down the other side and on to Telluride; so named after the element Tellurinium which is often found where gold and silver are to be found. Apparently, there are over 350miles of tunnels in the mountain where these metals were mined. A free cable car (gondola) ride over to Mountain Village resulted in Derek getting bitten by an insect and, unfortunately, his hand became quite badly swollen. More on this tomorrow.
Wed 16th June - Telluride to Montrose (5890'). 68.5miles, 19mph ave, 3.34.40 ride time, 2110' climbed. They day started with a ride then a walk up the lower slopes of the mountain to the Bridle Vail Falls (1600')....very impressive. However on returning to the bikes I had another puncture and a combination lock that wouldn't open! (it looked like someone might have tampered with the lock). I managed to sort these minor issues out then returned to the hotel where Derek had gone ahead to check us out. However, the swelling had got worse so a visit to the Telluride Medical centre followed where a course of antibiotics were prescribed...good thing Derek is well insured as it was rather expensive. We then eventually set off, initially in to a head wind, but then turned to have the wind blow us over the Dallas divide and onto Montrose which c. 3100' lower; hence the high average speed for the day.
Thur 17th June - Montrose to Gunnison (7491'). 75miles, 14.5mph ave, 5.11.25 ride time, 6254' climbed!! This was the biggest 'climbing day so far. We took a 12mile detour to visit the Black Canyon of Gunnison which involved a long ascent to the National Park viewing area. This canyon is nearly 3000' deep and less than 1000' across...hence 'The Black Canyon' as little light can penetrate. The history was mind boggling; because of its geologically and its exploration. The early pioneers tried to build a railway though but couldn't get through, then they managed to cut a 5mile tunnel through by hand and with dynamite to allow the water to irrigate the Uncompahgre Valley rendering it fertile. The local eating house to the hotel in Gunnison called the 'Trough' then had a bit of a suprise when Derek and I both polished of a double order of burger (with some salad!), chips and a Bud-Light. Well at $6 and a large appetite it seemed the right thing to do!!
Fri 18th June - Gunnison to Salida (7048'). 70mile, 15.5mph ave, 4.27.03 ride time, 3424' climbed. The ride was flat with one monster climb towards the end over Monach Pass. This was another record altitude on a bike at 11,313'. At least this time there was a cafe at the top (not usually the case in the Rockies) so after having a long chat with a guy called John, had some refreshment and then descended down to Salida. A visit to the local bike shop (Absolute Bikes) proved to be useful; the people there were helpful and friendly and gave us some tips on rides and routes (I bought a spare inner-tube as my supplies were dwindling somewhat!). Next to the bike shop flowed the River Arkansas and the town were hosting a huge white-water festival on it with some top paddlers in the world competing...very entertaining to watch.
Sat 19th June - Salida. 36miles, 15.5mph ave. 2.21.09 ride time..AND Max speed 50mph!! Not only was Salida hosting the white-water festival the 'Ride the Rockies' bike ride also finished in town. We started the day by riding up the Poncha Pass to 9010' where the rides final feed station was laid out. Derek rode back down to do some e-mailing and I rode most of the way down the other side, turned around and rode back following the route into the finish in Salida. This ride takes seven days and covers over 500miles of mountain roads...and only costs $350 to enter. One for the diary you cyclists out there. More fun watching people complete in the white water then followed as today was the last day of the festival with all the finals taking place.
Wed 16th June - Telluride to Montrose (5890'). 68.5miles, 19mph ave, 3.34.40 ride time, 2110' climbed. They day started with a ride then a walk up the lower slopes of the mountain to the Bridle Vail Falls (1600')....very impressive. However on returning to the bikes I had another puncture and a combination lock that wouldn't open! (it looked like someone might have tampered with the lock). I managed to sort these minor issues out then returned to the hotel where Derek had gone ahead to check us out. However, the swelling had got worse so a visit to the Telluride Medical centre followed where a course of antibiotics were prescribed...good thing Derek is well insured as it was rather expensive. We then eventually set off, initially in to a head wind, but then turned to have the wind blow us over the Dallas divide and onto Montrose which c. 3100' lower; hence the high average speed for the day.
Thur 17th June - Montrose to Gunnison (7491'). 75miles, 14.5mph ave, 5.11.25 ride time, 6254' climbed!! This was the biggest 'climbing day so far. We took a 12mile detour to visit the Black Canyon of Gunnison which involved a long ascent to the National Park viewing area. This canyon is nearly 3000' deep and less than 1000' across...hence 'The Black Canyon' as little light can penetrate. The history was mind boggling; because of its geologically and its exploration. The early pioneers tried to build a railway though but couldn't get through, then they managed to cut a 5mile tunnel through by hand and with dynamite to allow the water to irrigate the Uncompahgre Valley rendering it fertile. The local eating house to the hotel in Gunnison called the 'Trough' then had a bit of a suprise when Derek and I both polished of a double order of burger (with some salad!), chips and a Bud-Light. Well at $6 and a large appetite it seemed the right thing to do!!
Fri 18th June - Gunnison to Salida (7048'). 70mile, 15.5mph ave, 4.27.03 ride time, 3424' climbed. The ride was flat with one monster climb towards the end over Monach Pass. This was another record altitude on a bike at 11,313'. At least this time there was a cafe at the top (not usually the case in the Rockies) so after having a long chat with a guy called John, had some refreshment and then descended down to Salida. A visit to the local bike shop (Absolute Bikes) proved to be useful; the people there were helpful and friendly and gave us some tips on rides and routes (I bought a spare inner-tube as my supplies were dwindling somewhat!). Next to the bike shop flowed the River Arkansas and the town were hosting a huge white-water festival on it with some top paddlers in the world competing...very entertaining to watch.
Sat 19th June - Salida. 36miles, 15.5mph ave. 2.21.09 ride time..AND Max speed 50mph!! Not only was Salida hosting the white-water festival the 'Ride the Rockies' bike ride also finished in town. We started the day by riding up the Poncha Pass to 9010' where the rides final feed station was laid out. Derek rode back down to do some e-mailing and I rode most of the way down the other side, turned around and rode back following the route into the finish in Salida. This ride takes seven days and covers over 500miles of mountain roads...and only costs $350 to enter. One for the diary you cyclists out there. More fun watching people complete in the white water then followed as today was the last day of the festival with all the finals taking place.
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