Pancho Springs to Bunea Vista.
Pretty easy ride up down and then some more up. Rather simple followed the Arksnas river which was going south. It was hot but I still am at 7500 feet. I went 2 miles to the big town. Did some library will eat dinner and then go shopping for a few items. I have everything mapped out and I get to finish my adventure at red rocks. Should be pretty easy I am dropping down to less than a 100 miles in about 10 miles I get a couple more rest days. Then climb three passes in one day ouch. Then rest some more and head into Red Rocks.
It is hard to plan to land in Denver right on the day.
I am going for the 5th. We will see. 100 miles sure doesn't sound like that much.
We will see. I remember starting out it sure did.
So I am at the library and chillen I might even go KOA just might since I have plenty of free camping.
I would defiantly recommend the way I went I had all the big shoulders when the other side didn't.
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Tuesday, July 29, 2008
So in 22 my extension extension has been completed and I will be back on just my extension.
WoW
What a ride it only took a week wow even with my slow ass and two Passes.
I rested yesterday I didn't do anything but sleep the whole time I was out.
I had cycled seven days straight. And resting on the Continetal Divide seemed fitting. I had to hike a good distance in to find the first flat spot. Which turned into a mini stream. I slept till 1400 hours and then woke up as some drops fell on my face. I slipped the fly on and waited it hailed, rained and lighting.
The sound of the thunder was deafing in the canyon.
I periodically looked out at my small stream make sure it didn't flash on me. Most of my tent avoid the stream just a piece of the corner I made sure the stream could under it. I saw maybe a foot wide. It rained for hours. I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I heard was my alarm. I must have been super tired. I even got up late. Waiting for it to warm up a tad bit.
WoW
What a ride it only took a week wow even with my slow ass and two Passes.
I rested yesterday I didn't do anything but sleep the whole time I was out.
I had cycled seven days straight. And resting on the Continetal Divide seemed fitting. I had to hike a good distance in to find the first flat spot. Which turned into a mini stream. I slept till 1400 hours and then woke up as some drops fell on my face. I slipped the fly on and waited it hailed, rained and lighting.
The sound of the thunder was deafing in the canyon.
I periodically looked out at my small stream make sure it didn't flash on me. Most of my tent avoid the stream just a piece of the corner I made sure the stream could under it. I saw maybe a foot wide. It rained for hours. I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I heard was my alarm. I must have been super tired. I even got up late. Waiting for it to warm up a tad bit.
Most passes you climb climb and then at the top you get a picture with a plaque. Not this pass.
Monarch Crest operated since 1954. The pass originally transported goods and helped the mines. Then they rebuilt the pass for autos. Monarch the town survived on skiing. Then they rebuilt the current road to modernize it. The other side had only one lane going up. So I picked the right side for that climb.
Monarch Crest was an oddity at best they even have a gondala ride up to tthe top of a MT.. They had a wildlife section with stuffed animals. I could have bought a gun. Then the gift section. they also had a forest section which told the history. Lastly they had a food place where you could eat. I saw three bicycle tourist come in a pack and I passed one lady on her way up she was just out for a ride. The place burnt down in 1988 they had trouble getting up the pass and then ran out of water and had to go to Modina mines to get water. So the next place was built out of concrete with a green roof. This place was great but will it end up a ghost? We will see.
The ride down I topped 40 miles for the first time. It went pretty fast the whole 13 miles no shoulder. I stopped a few times to chill out ha thaw out!
I am now in Pancho Springs not much here I have another 25 more miles to end my day in a forest.
Kudos to the Pancho springs visitor center for the free wifi if they would only open there doors. They claim they are the crossroads to the rockies.
So I should be back on 285 headed for Denver by the end of the day.
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Monday, July 28, 2008
Sunday Gunnison to Monarch crest
41 miles and climbed to 11312 feet
So after eyeing some thunderstorms and waiting as long as I can. I headed out of the city at 1500. It was bicycle city lots of them. I saw a half a dozen unlocked bikes at the grocery store.
There was art in the park I stopped there for a short bit. I also got a subway the usual. The ranger station didn't display a map but I had a picture of the map.
I also got some air at the Conoco since it was free.
I did some laundry, acquired food, and talked on the phone. I also picked up some screws. I was tempted to stay at the KOA but decided I could get some miles under my saddle instead. The ride continued to follow the river as it got narrow and lazy. I was still in a wide canyon with mesas abound.
For most of my adventure it was down hill I had the wide shoulder and still the water was on my side. . I was making some good time but it never reflects it. After about 20 miles and after Gunnison there was only service in Sergents. Which for 5 bucks a half gallon of milk no thanks. Amazing how gas is cheaper than milk.
The whole way I saw rain behind me and skeeters trying to bite me. Talk about motivation. I only got sprinkled on. At the end of the day sprinkles were a little heavy and I wrapped my gear up with a tarp. The shoulder dropped off as I entered the forest Gunnison. I had a huge shed on a trailer almost hit me and some idot who ran me off the road when he was passing a semi.
I started climbing shortly after Sergents. I had 9 miles of 6% not to much fun, but they had a lot pull outs and a second lane for mr all the way up. It was either wait somewhere at the bottom or climb I decided to climb given how safe Sunday night traffic is compared to Monday morning traffic. It took roughly three hours to ascend. I reached the top just before 0000 hours. I tried in vain for a place for my tent it was a little to hilly I walked up 906 and just when I am maybe going to get flat land "No public access". That figures. I then decided to hike back down this is going nowhere. After I got back I then did like all the other truckers ripped out my sleeping bag and tarp and slept till 0600 in the parking lot. No stealth here and no problems. Trying to find a place to sleep is a bitch. I then tried to climb this MT in daylight hours so I could watch my bike no dice.
So I am going to try a place a little closer to the road if that doesn't work I am going to use the Continental divide trail and descend a little see if I can't find a frikin piece of flat land. I am going to use the CD with the trail register if that happens. On 906. Since I know there is a creek (5 miles ouch) I can filter my water. (Hopefully or I will just come up after one night.)
Of course the view is out of this world and they have a gandala ride up to 12 foot peak for 7 bucks. Which when I climbed my MT I saw cell towers o joy. Well I am now 156 mi closer. Now that my tour is winding down I want it to be over and move onto the next fun adventure. Which will be a fast 600 mile an hour jet to MLPS for some relaxation and maybe some bike riding.
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41 miles and climbed to 11312 feet
So after eyeing some thunderstorms and waiting as long as I can. I headed out of the city at 1500. It was bicycle city lots of them. I saw a half a dozen unlocked bikes at the grocery store.
There was art in the park I stopped there for a short bit. I also got a subway the usual. The ranger station didn't display a map but I had a picture of the map.
I also got some air at the Conoco since it was free.
I did some laundry, acquired food, and talked on the phone. I also picked up some screws. I was tempted to stay at the KOA but decided I could get some miles under my saddle instead. The ride continued to follow the river as it got narrow and lazy. I was still in a wide canyon with mesas abound.
For most of my adventure it was down hill I had the wide shoulder and still the water was on my side. . I was making some good time but it never reflects it. After about 20 miles and after Gunnison there was only service in Sergents. Which for 5 bucks a half gallon of milk no thanks. Amazing how gas is cheaper than milk.
The whole way I saw rain behind me and skeeters trying to bite me. Talk about motivation. I only got sprinkled on. At the end of the day sprinkles were a little heavy and I wrapped my gear up with a tarp. The shoulder dropped off as I entered the forest Gunnison. I had a huge shed on a trailer almost hit me and some idot who ran me off the road when he was passing a semi.
I started climbing shortly after Sergents. I had 9 miles of 6% not to much fun, but they had a lot pull outs and a second lane for mr all the way up. It was either wait somewhere at the bottom or climb I decided to climb given how safe Sunday night traffic is compared to Monday morning traffic. It took roughly three hours to ascend. I reached the top just before 0000 hours. I tried in vain for a place for my tent it was a little to hilly I walked up 906 and just when I am maybe going to get flat land "No public access". That figures. I then decided to hike back down this is going nowhere. After I got back I then did like all the other truckers ripped out my sleeping bag and tarp and slept till 0600 in the parking lot. No stealth here and no problems. Trying to find a place to sleep is a bitch. I then tried to climb this MT in daylight hours so I could watch my bike no dice.
So I am going to try a place a little closer to the road if that doesn't work I am going to use the Continental divide trail and descend a little see if I can't find a frikin piece of flat land. I am going to use the CD with the trail register if that happens. On 906. Since I know there is a creek (5 miles ouch) I can filter my water. (Hopefully or I will just come up after one night.)
Of course the view is out of this world and they have a gandala ride up to 12 foot peak for 7 bucks. Which when I climbed my MT I saw cell towers o joy. Well I am now 156 mi closer. Now that my tour is winding down I want it to be over and move onto the next fun adventure. Which will be a fast 600 mile an hour jet to MLPS for some relaxation and maybe some bike riding.
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Sunday, July 27, 2008
So I collected water at the picnic ground next to the boat wash. They're trying to prevent mussels from getting in the water.
I ate my ranon, PBs, apricots, and had some ritz crackers. I manage to drink almost a half gallon of water right there.
I saw some thunderstorms coming my way and exited. I was having good luck dodging them over the last week and today it appears I remain dry. Even though it is raining all around me ha! Even at night I thought I was going to get rained and nope no rain for you. I can see why Gunnison has the title coldest place. For some reason this is a very cold place.
I went to my first site and playing by the rules no camp within a .5 mi literally took me out of the recreation area and onto state land where you need stamps.
I decided not to forge through to the National forest after all I had a back up plan. The lake is 96 miles long they say I believe it. I met a couple of tourist who looked prepared after I came out of Rainbow lake road. I had a nice graded hill. Today was pretty easy even when I went uphill. After crossing the dam was my hardest hill. Oh I loath 50 nice wide shoulder chopped up with rumble strips and wildflowers blocking your path. For Saturday it was busy. As I said it was an easy ride compared to the last several. Tomorrow I get to go back to the great forest land. I will be happy maybe not so happy to cross Monarch pass a 11500. I will make sure I take a rest day.
So I winded through the now Gunnison canyon with still has the lake beside me which gave way to more mesas on top. I finally arrived on some BLM land I had to turn around as I missed the road. Funny thing they don't say road 726 they say Gunnison wildlife area. Another ruse? Yet the smart and wily bunch will look at a map and go aha there is BLM just before I have to use those stamps. So now I am literally on the fence posts of state land as CO is filled with land you can't physically camp on due to a massive angles and sage brush the sage brush is evenly spaced for water rights. I managed to find a bare spot. The land was great no skeeters, ontop of a hill which looked over the valley and the river now which rain through with of course MTs in the back ground.
I ate my ranon, PBs, apricots, and had some ritz crackers. I manage to drink almost a half gallon of water right there.
I saw some thunderstorms coming my way and exited. I was having good luck dodging them over the last week and today it appears I remain dry. Even though it is raining all around me ha! Even at night I thought I was going to get rained and nope no rain for you. I can see why Gunnison has the title coldest place. For some reason this is a very cold place.
I went to my first site and playing by the rules no camp within a .5 mi literally took me out of the recreation area and onto state land where you need stamps.
I decided not to forge through to the National forest after all I had a back up plan. The lake is 96 miles long they say I believe it. I met a couple of tourist who looked prepared after I came out of Rainbow lake road. I had a nice graded hill. Today was pretty easy even when I went uphill. After crossing the dam was my hardest hill. Oh I loath 50 nice wide shoulder chopped up with rumble strips and wildflowers blocking your path. For Saturday it was busy. As I said it was an easy ride compared to the last several. Tomorrow I get to go back to the great forest land. I will be happy maybe not so happy to cross Monarch pass a 11500. I will make sure I take a rest day.
So I winded through the now Gunnison canyon with still has the lake beside me which gave way to more mesas on top. I finally arrived on some BLM land I had to turn around as I missed the road. Funny thing they don't say road 726 they say Gunnison wildlife area. Another ruse? Yet the smart and wily bunch will look at a map and go aha there is BLM just before I have to use those stamps. So now I am literally on the fence posts of state land as CO is filled with land you can't physically camp on due to a massive angles and sage brush the sage brush is evenly spaced for water rights. I managed to find a bare spot. The land was great no skeeters, ontop of a hill which looked over the valley and the river now which rain through with of course MTs in the back ground.
At any rate I am outside Gunnison and will head there tomorrow.
So today is sunday no library yet no blue laws either thank god (joke).
I arrived and started my searches after I arrived at a safeway which was from the 1950s. I knew there had to be another food store and there was. I don't like rip off palace. So I happily went out of my way and arrived at a better place.
The ride was pretty easy again river flowing up hill and me going semi down.
I was comming into town and all these old 50s motels sprang up to greet you right before the city.
The Rodeway inn won the 2008 best inn award. I was like what kinda obscure award is that for that crappy place.
I then passed the airport and found two frontage roads and the huge expansive 50 talk about a waste of space. You would score a touchdown each time you crossed the streets. After I got my food I pigged out. Yogurt, breakfast burrito, cookies oatmeal, coleslaw, and 3 string cheeses.
It seems I can't sleep on anymore. I managed to make it to 700 this morning out on the road by 800.
So now what to do?
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Saturday, July 26, 2008
Pioneer creek to. Forest road 724. Have a rest day and then head into Gunnison on monday. I will spend my rest day on some blm land near never sink.
So I didn't have to hike 2 miles only a mile and 800 feet.
I hiked back in not much time ate some food. I have about a day left unless I can find some water then two days. Because some food is water based.
I might spend another day I might not.
I met Traci who was the first at the trailhead. We talked about look at some pictures and she was off. She had spent more time in some of the spots I toured.
Well back on the bike.
So I finished off the canyon and the crossed the Blue Mesa Dam and traversed the Blue Mesa res. Pretty bland after going through the canyon.
I tried to hike up Dillion pinnacles but never made it. I did 1.5 and need to save the rest of my energy for the ride. O well I had some exhausting couple of last days.
I stopped in the visitor center and charged my phone and got where I can stay for the next few days. I love how they display the maps.
Pretty easy day my tour is winding down. Lots more rest days comming up. I managed to get my bike in working order.
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So I didn't have to hike 2 miles only a mile and 800 feet.
I hiked back in not much time ate some food. I have about a day left unless I can find some water then two days. Because some food is water based.
I might spend another day I might not.
I met Traci who was the first at the trailhead. We talked about look at some pictures and she was off. She had spent more time in some of the spots I toured.
Well back on the bike.
So I finished off the canyon and the crossed the Blue Mesa Dam and traversed the Blue Mesa res. Pretty bland after going through the canyon.
I tried to hike up Dillion pinnacles but never made it. I did 1.5 and need to save the rest of my energy for the ride. O well I had some exhausting couple of last days.
I stopped in the visitor center and charged my phone and got where I can stay for the next few days. I love how they display the maps.
Pretty easy day my tour is winding down. Lots more rest days comming up. I managed to get my bike in working order.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
Chasm
Majestic walls salute me as I appear from the secluded tree growth. Now standing on the rocky moss dwelling, nature has provided.
Sheltered by the sun with a thin sheet of white whisper.
The snaking river craving out its appetite as an unwilling refugee. Imprisoned to cast its fate digging deeper trying to find safe passage.
Nestled within myself knowing time has left us both. Blinded by beauty I no longer see.
Listening to reality as it has my only escape. The bees attracted to me, the water screaming, as it seeks a balance with it's unlevel plight.
I move to recover I move to feel the solid moss beneath my feet.
I am free and the river remains. I am free to which the river never obtains.
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