Up at 4:30. Even after a long rest day 4:30 is still early. The Keurig coffee machine in my hotel room (a little nicer hotel than normal—one of those hundred dollar ones 🙂 was a nice luxury this morning. Getting efficient packing and loading everything on my bike so I know where it is.
Got on clean clothes, coffee in my belly and air in my tires, out the door at 5 AM.
Headed toward the Ute trail head.
6:33 AM 7.3 miles I’m at 8,649 feet I think I started at about 7200 feet this morning. There’s some 12% grades on this climb and it tops out at 10,000 feet. Definitely waking me up this morning.
7:02 AM 9.4 miles and 9,070 feet and still climbing. Feeling good, but ready for the top
7:32 AM 11.2 miles in at 9,590 feet and still climbing. Having trouble dictating on the phone with all the sweat dripping on it but it’s a beautiful morning at 48°. Would be cool if I wasn’t working so hard but it’s great. This bike came with a 42 tooth climbing gear. I change it out for a 48 tooth gear and I should’ve gone to a 52 to gear. But, I feel like I’m getting my climbing legs merit badge so it should be fine.
8:08 AM made it to the peak at 9,954 feet and I’m 13.7 miles in.
8:50 AM 8,996 feet riding through open range, nice day, perfect weather 21.45 miles in, stopped to take my base layer off at 65° and reward myself with some fancy chocolate—don’t know how to spell it so just see the pic.
9:46 AM 26.7 miles I’m back at 9, 400 feet still climbing hopefully it will end soon and I’ll drop in a Hartsel. I could use some breakfast or lunch.
Arrived in Hartsel at noon, I think I left half my teeth out there on the road because of all the washboard. Stopped at the only restaurant in town having a buffalo burger with blue cheese crumbles and french fries, a taco, large iced tea, and large orange juice.
Met three other riders heading northbound while I was eating at the café. Nice guys. I’m sure we will cross paths with each other as we head out, but I think we’re all pretty much the same and just like riding our own ride. I’m gonna keep going alone.
Finished lunch, stop by the store and got some orange juice, water, a couple snacks and headed back out at 1:20 PM toward Como.
1:45 PM had about 5 miles of pavement and then turned back on to washboard gravel again, but at least I don’t have to constantly watch my mirror for cars behind me so that’s a good thing and I think I do have a slight tailwind so that’s a good thing, so I guess I just have to deal with the washboard.
2:21 PM at 56.4 miles 9,197 feet still a very nice day but this is gonna be a record day for climbing.
2:44 PM starting to rain stopped and put on my rain jacket. I’m at 59.4 miles in and put away my base later because I’m gonna need it to be dry later this evening the rain is nice but it’s cold. And the tailwind has turned into a headwind coming out of the northwest—my direction of travel.
3:35 PM light rain 58° feels great I’m at 64.9 miles for the day and 9,637 feet I think I’m going to get to Como, and see how I feel. I my camp there tonight and do the big climb (Boreas Pass, 11,482 feet) early tomorrow. That formula has been working for me so I may just stick with that.
5pm and finally made it to Como. Fighting a head wind all the way from Hartsel and worn out. I am at 79.3 miles for the day and I’ve climbed 5,892 feet. That’s a big day of climbing. Maybe the most I’ve ever done in one day, I’m not sure, but regardless it’s a lot. I remember My elementary school teacher telling me a mile is 5,280 feet—one of the few things I remember from elementary school—So that’s over a mile of climbing today.
I rolled into Como worn out looking for the community center to camp and there was a guy standing out by his driveway and he asked me if I needed water. I said no I’ve got plenty of water just looking for the camping place here. And he said well you’re in luck he has converted his garage into a place for Great Divide bike riders to spend the night. I had read about his place on the Great Divide Facebook group I follow but didn’t think About it as I got into town. So, to make a long story short I’m staying in his garage with satellite TV, Wi-Fi, a shower, toilet, power outlets to charge my devices, kitchen area with a Keurig, for coffee in the morning, a cold pabst blue ribbon in the fridge, and three massage chairs that I can choose from. Now this is an unexpected pleasure. Just finished my shower, charging my devices, drinking a beer and editing this report—my tent and sleeping bag is still strapped to my bike. The guy wouldn’t take money, but I’ll leave a donation by the coffee maker before leaving in the morning anyway.
So, up early tomorrow, climb over Boreas Pass and hopefully be in Breckenridge for breakfast…and to find a place to buy a new battery pack. Mine bit the dust today.
Pics:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/tuhv4xsmn82mvsn/AABf5c_BTFUafLsRhgiwmv8Pa?dl=0
