I spent a couple days with Lauren and her active family, got some rest and got back to the road. Lauren droppped me off where she picked me up in Pueblo. I had taken an interest in a company called Solar Roast. They’re a roasting company that roasts there beans with focused sunlight. Two brothers took an roasting aprenticeship, and a history in special effects engineering to create a solar roaster series by the name of Helios. I hope to detail them more in a following article after interviewing one of the owners.
After a delicious an hardy breakfast burrito laden with green chilis, I cut thru the zoo and followed a bike path to pueblo lake state park. It was a very hot, dry afternoon. When I arrived I did about 12 extra miles in efforts to find the camp site my riding companions were having a BBQ at. About to find the campsite, they come rolling down the hill in a friend’s jeeper. I follow them to the swim beach and we set up the festivities. Before the grub is done Sharon, Barb and I go for a dip. It’s so hot and dry, you don’t need a towel to dry off.
We head back to the campsite, full of burgers and assorted other grub. The family responsible for all the food sadly departs, but leaves us with the remaining ice. We all chew the fat and enjoy a harmonica concert imparted by the dutchman. The sun sets, and we all retire. I sleep under the stars, as does Edwyn, a new addition to our group, riding the western express this year.
In the morning, we all rode out about the same time. It was a beautiful morning. Overcast, with the mountains getting closer and closer. We rode into Wetmore, where the crew was seperated into two. Sharon, Barb and Edwyn were to take the western express to California, and the Dutch guys and I were to follow the Trans Am proper to Oregon. But before the Gosse and Klaas could get anywhere, a flat needed to be fixed.
It was hard to say goodbye, but some fudge at the local general store made it a bit easier. We rode on to Florence and stopped for burgers. I was first to leave, but didn’t get far. I had to stop at the PourHouse, and get a cup o’ Jo.
Finishing up the last miles into Cañon City, I had my priorities in front of me. I needed to find the local bike shop and get my cycle computer fixed. I found Spencer Sports, but they were closed for the day and I wasn’t planning to stay in town for the evening.
I was directed to Coyote’s Coffee Den. They made me a delicioous frozen drink, and their atmosphere was full of crafts and a loft upstairs full of couches. I couldn’t be happier. I even stayed a couple hours, and made some skype calls. Afterward, I collected some food for the climb up Highway 9 and made it to the rafting center before I was told that a brush fire had closed off all activity ahead of me. I sought the location of the dutchman and was told they were just up the hill.
I hung out for the evening, enjoyed yet another meal with the boys, and some rafting guides showed up. They came for water, and stayed for conversation. I had a great opportunity to get to know the Dutchman further. Eventually the two raft guides turned into 15 raft guides as they were also evacuated from the river to the same campsite. They brought beer, so I enjoyed a couple and retired early.
When we rose the next morning, the fire was under control and we were able to cycle on. I was gifted a shower by a friendly camp attendent, and rode uphill for 24 miles before stopping early for the day to stay at a beautiful hostel. I spent the afternoon napping, to make up for lost sleep from the previous evening. As did the Dutchman; Gosse was especially in need of rest as he hit the bars with the raft guides and didn’t get to sleep till after 2 am.
In the morning the Dutchman decided to stay for another day and I moved on. I intend to catch back up to them in Wyoming after a stay in Cheyenne. The scenery was amazing at the hostel, but it only got more stunning as I rode along. As soon as I passed over current creek pass I saw the white capped 14ers all around me. When I arrived in Hartzel, I met some racers on there 14th day out racing the great divide.
I had lunch with them at Dorthy’s Homade Tamales. I had a black cherry shake and a green chile smothered breakfast burrito. I <3 green chiles!! They were to be on the food network the following week and I was happy to experience such a delight.
I continued to make my ascent to 11,000ft. I stopped in fairplay for an italian soda and the Al-mart of Alma, CO. The highest town in North America. After Alma I made my ascent up Hoosier Pass to the highest altitude in the entire trans-am of 11,542ft. I smoked that hill. I was at the top in 23 minutes, keeping up a pace of 10 mph the whole way. Boo-yah! I met two cyclists at the top, in town for a networking conference. There names are Drew and Kaden. Drew ha an extra hotel bed for me to crash on. Awesome! The ride was beautiful and a shock to my body, but I had plenty of time to take pictures of the descent decent into Breckenridge, CO.
It's a small little town catering to bikers and skiers alike. Bike lanes were everywhere, and I rode straight into the first bike shop I found. Alpine sports set me up with a new Serfas Cycle Computer and I could finally regulate my pace once again. After setting up my computer, I met up with Drew and Kaden after their second pass over Hoosier. I followed them back to the Lodge and caught a shower. We nearly immedeately headed out and got dinner at Mi Casa, a mexican restaurant.
I had the tamales. They were very spicy, yet delicious. I got to know Drew over dinner and found he is also quite an outdoor enthusiast. He hopes to do some cycle touring in the near future, so we had plenty to talk about. After dinner, the group and I searched for the elusive 3 ft trout that lives in the stream flowing through town. We found no such fish.
We headed back to the room and I sorted my pictures. Sleep time.
