Stats Tuesday, August 24 – Gunnison to Salida. Day distance 64.2; ride time 4 h 50 m (7 h 30 m); ave speed 13.25; total climb 3773; total distance 1501miles
My brother Merlin had mentioned that Gunnison was a wet area. Marshy. Yep, when we awoke everything was very “dewy.” It took a little while for the rain fly on the tent to dry with the rising sun.
Mickey took off ahead of everyone else. He intended to get 20 miles down the road. Tim would then meet him, pick him up in the van and the two of them would take the van to the top of Monarch Pass. They then would ride down the western side of Monarch, meet Roger and me and the four of us could climb the big mountain together (11, 318’). This plan gave Roger the opportunity to put in more miles and enjoy the scenery.
Bicycle touring is kind of like seeing the country from a convertible car. It’s great. No roof obstructing the view. We get to enjoy the view not at 60 or 70 miles an hour – but to visually savor the scenery at 12 mph or 20 mph. Sometimes at 3 mph as in CA and UT when we were hauling gear up mountains!
Roger and I got all packed up and ready to roll into town for breakfast when I discovered I had a flat front tire. We decided to air it up enough to get to the breakfast restaurant. After having ordered breakfast I could then change the tube.
Thirty miles of a gentle ascent lay before us and the “big climb” of Monarch. As we look at the mountain range ahead thick clouds blanket the peaks.
About 8 miles before Sargents (where Monarch Pass really goes “up”) Tim and Mickey meet us on their way down from leaving the van at the top. The top, they tell us, is completely socked in with clouds and fog. Can’t see more than 10’. The road is damp. It’s 42 degrees. They descended 3 miles before they got out of the gray soup into sunshine.
At the bottom when they meet us Mickey cruises by as he has a couple of miles he needs to go back to ensure a continuous route of riding. As a “transcontinental cyclist” he does not want to miss a section – even 2 or 3 miles!! He wants to be able to say, “I rode the whole thing!” Me too.
A half mile from Sargents, “pop!” Roger’s rear wheel has a broken spoke! This is a BIG disappointment as it renders his bike un-rideable. His wheels are custom made from a company in Asheville. This could be a big problem for the rest of the week.
At Sargents we take a rest at a convenience store / restaurant. Roger catches a ride to the top of Monarch with a guy in a Jeep Cherokee. Roger can then go onto Salida where a bike shop is located and see about getting his wheel repaired. So, we are not going to be able to climb Monarch together, the four of us.
Mickey and Tim seem energetic. But I don’t feel normal. A little tired. So I start the climb without them riding at a slower pace. From Sargents it’s a steady 10 mile climb to the top.
The climb is beautiful. Looking back occasionally I can see the valley below. At times the road features sharp drops at the edge with little or no shoulder. A guard rail is present most of the time.
About ¾ of the way up Mick and Tim catch me and we finish the ascent to the summit together. It’s sunny now. But windy. Cold. 60 degrees. This is the highest summit on the entire trans con route. So it’s a celebration!!
After hot chocolate at the gift shop we start down. Tim takes the van and Roger rides Tim’s bike on the descent. It’s cold. COLD. Roger descends like a highway patrolman in pursuit of a speeder. Fast! I can’t do that. I shiver a little causing the front wheel to shimmy slightly. I’m cold. Need to concentrate. Mickey and I hang together. Roger is out of sight. As we descend in elevation it warms.
Five miles out of Salida a tracker-trailer passes Mickey and me with no shoulder. He purposely shaves our space. WHOA! The vacuum sucks both of us toward his trailer. No exaggeration. He was no more than two feet from us!! No oncoming cars. Just playing with us. I’m not impressed or appreciative of Colorado drivers!! With a burst of energy I pedal harder thinking that I might be able to catch him a mile or two down the road if there is a stop light. I want his license plate number of a trailer number. Something to report. Never did see him again. Thank you angels!
Arriving in Salida I am very tired. I take a nap in the parking lot of a Holiday Inn Express. Just laid down on the concrete with my helmet as a pillow. An ant or two interrupt my short slumber. The other guys scout out possibilities for lodging for the night.
Today didn’t turn out as we had planned. Roger’s broken spoke. Didn’t get to ascend the highest pass together. But we keep pedaling. Spinning. Shifting gears to go up. Shifting to go down. Enjoying the view.
Roger was able to order spokes from Asheville and have them overnighted to Salida. They should be here tomorrow.
The guys opted for a Super 8 motel instead of an RV park. I’m glad. I could use a bed tonight.
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