Where to begin?
Well, way back in Jeffery City, Wy we adopted 2 other cyclists - Linus and Derek - who we had previously met in Yellowstone NP. Most recently they both hail from Bend, Oregon - where they worked as snowboard instructors.
Linus C. (left) - is 28 years old and is looking to move to Montana or Colorado after the trip -- he is looking for better mountain biking and snowboarding.
Derek B. (right) - is 25 years old and will be moving back to Illinois - where his family is from, to figure out his next move.
Both very cool gents and make good additions to the group.
Speaking of Jeffery City, Wy -- what a crazy place - basically abandoned - it was a uranium mining town which fizzled out in the mid-80's. Huge barrack style housing - bowling alley - gas stations - churches --- all deserted. There was a single cafe/bar/gas station -- run by a single family -- the woman at there claims that there are 50 residents in town and another 100 in the outskirts. We pitched our tents/hammocks at the local Lions Club pavilion/meeting hall --- which topped off the Michael Crichton imagery with an old newspaper on a desk with some guy's glasses sitting next to it -- and a six pack of Pepsi-COLA! - the paper was dated 1985.
So, I've already mentioned how windy Wyoming was -- probably still is -- so I won't go into that again.
We had a rest day in Rawlins, Wy - which didn't prove to be an interesting town at all -- most of us (except Bryan) went to see Shrek the Third (highly recommend - it was very funny - especially puss-n-boots) and some of then bowled a game or two.
off to Colorado - Walden and then Kremmling
In Kremmling I had the opportunity to meet up with my good friend from massage school - Tara. She and here fiance came down from Grand Lake (about 30-45 min) for dinner. It was great to see her - the last time we'd seen each other was maybe 2003-ish. -- again, I feel foolish - no pictures :(
From Kremmling it was off to Breckenridge - where we stayed in a lovely hostel.
It was a sad morning at the hostel, because Bryan decided to leave our group and stick around in Colorado - he has friends in Colorado Springs and Durrango -- and plans to go to the Bluegrass Festival in Teluride. It's sad to see him go -- but it's something he has been looking forward to for a long time. (unfortunately Bryan has been under the weather since Rawlins, Wy and also needed another rest day in Breck - but what a great town to do that in!)
Group pic before Bryan takes off.
After Breck (9600 ft according to Wikipedia) we had the big climb up Hoosier Pass - 11,500+ ft elevation! That was our last crossing of the Continental Divide -- and it's all down hill from there... right? We were scheduled to stay at a small town called Guffy, but Karli and I were feeling good and decided to push out a century ride (100 miles) -- all the way to Canon City. We treated ourselves to a hotel room (there wasn't any camping) -- which was probably good, because the city was a bit ghetto and the people were rude.
Off to Pueblo, Co -- where we stayed at the city park - behind a barbed wire fence in the maintenance compound -- also a scary/ghetto city. I was later informed that it is considered the armpit of Colorado -- and unfortunately we had a rest day here.
But to spruce up the experience - Ashley and Geoff came down from Manitou Springs and Brian came down from Denver -- sweet!! We chilled out in the park - had some Wendy's - and thought long and hard as to whether we were going to play horseshoes or not --- not. Ash and Geoff had just moved into a new flat the day before and took off early so they could unpack a bit and prepare for Monday. Brian, having just quit his job of 8-ish years got a room and spent the night - leaving Monday am. AGAIN -- no pictures of Ash and Geoff on my camera --- but Ash got at least one :) --- here is one of Brian and I... or, wait - who is that with Brian????
Today we rode 50 miles to Ordway, Co - and are staying at a Gillian's - a nice woman from New Zealand who takes in cyclists -- gives us a place to sleep - do our laundry - and take showers. Sweeeet!
pics:
Kev and Nix topping Hoosier Pass
Karli and I in Canon City after kicking Hossier Pass's ass and riding 100 miles!
5 comments:
It was great to see you! Makes me excited for Thanksgiving and bike school time. Hope the plains treat you well and the fireflies flock like the salmon of capistrano!
Way to keep us updated. Seems there's always something of interest (good or not) at every stop. I can't make out who that is in the photo with Brian, but keep your eye on him, he's bound to give you some serious competition.
When did you guys take that 12 year old boy into your group? Did he lose his mommy? :)
Thanks for the update. Keep on keepin' on!
wit wew!
Those guys are 25? Those 2 are 50 if they are a day.
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