Saturday, September 19th, 63.3 miles and 3152 accumulated vertical feet up.
Hi everybody!
Rolling Southeast out of Luder’s Creek Campground and the Cochetopa Pass, that sky looks much better than when we got up thereRocks along the route The GDMBR began fast today the first 25 miles were done in no time Rustic fencing, cool flat top hill & fantastic weather Spectacular view up this tight canyon Further up that canyon I saw more interesting rock formations Lots of Prairie Dogs along the route today, these Colorado dogs don’t like to get their pictures taken Weathered wood relic obsession continues, this one had a barrel vaulted roof This guy was out doing his thing, painting the colorful Aspen leaves. I tried to get him to add a bike or at least a bike wheel in the bottom corner but he said no!All green leaves hereLots of color in the leaves hereAnother pass today, it was another amazing day for a bike ride in Colorado Al, Kim, & Tim, Our 3 new friends from Alaska, they got to the pass just as we were leavingRiding into some cool rock walled canyon Just unbelievable how many people care about us GDMBR riders and CDT hikers, yes another cooler of water just waiting for us. The women who put this one out, happened to be out riding a bike today and I got to ride side by side with her for a bit and we had an amazing conversation about the amount, age, nationality and diversity of people who are riding the GDMBRRock formation 😀😀 Today we are overnighting in the Windsor Historic Hotel in Del Norte Colorado. Near the end of today’s ride the ACA’s GDMBR guided us through a cool & challenging surprise. About 7 miles of double track through the desert. It started out swooshing and smooth dirt with banks and rolling dipsThen changed to Rocky and cobbled and attention grabbing rutsThen it’s texture changed to loose sand and dumped us out behind the airport Del Norte didn’t want us to get lost after that double track, they installed signs all the way into town We crossed the Rio Grande River and made it to the Windsor, in Del Norte just in time to have a great steak dinner in the bar. This is the first hotel on this trip where we could NOT take our bikes to the room, but I understand why, our room was recently renovated and was very nice, did I tell you that GDMBR riders get a $20 discount and this hotel charges by the person, $93.00 per night per person!!!
Sunday, September 20th, 48.3 miles and 5550 accumulated vertical feet up.
Yes that’s more than a mile of ascent! It was a tough day, most of the climbing came right out of Del Norte up to Indiana Pass.
Domesticated Bison across from the Del Norte hospital just as we left town, had a great breakfast at Boogie’s DinnerSaw this guy early Then it flew Old wooden buildings left for people like me to ponder 🤔 Another great day for a bicycle tour Looking back. We were rolling up hill this morning for 5 hours, we averaged about 5 mph and never did see any of our new friends todayStill moving forward (uphill), there are lots of camping people in these National Forests, it’s Elk hunting season also so they are here for that.Beautiful Day!😃🚴♂️Good and dependable Griz is taking a break from this long uphill slog These Colorado Blue Spruce trees show their blue in their natural habitat 11,910 feet above sea level. This is the highest point on the GDMBR, & this is the longest climb of the ride about 4220 feet. It is really a good day and the scenery is amazing up hereSame, beautiful view near the now gone town of Summitville,The GDMBR going back down on the south side of Indiana PassLooking into Colorado’s San Juan Mountains as we continue down Part of the Summitville Mine Superfund cleanup operation Remote Colorado on our way to Platoro, our intended overnight stop Private lakes near Stunner Campgrounds Nice road alone the Alamosa River and under big and little Red Mountains Location of the old town of Stunner which is now a National Forest Campground Alamosa River Needed to roll up and over Alamosa-Conejos pass. It was a bit rough and crossing 2 passes in one day a week ago would have been nearly unthinkable but now it’s a great day & a great rideAlmost to the topThe Platoro Reservoir controlling the flow of water in the Conejos River and we are now at the Conejos passThere’s our overnight town of PlatoroNice folks run this placeOur cabin in the Gold Pan RV Park, we needed to chase a chipmunk out before we settled in and he got back in later but Scott swept him out with the broom 🧹
Texted our new friend Andre and found out he spent last night in this same cabin 😀
Comments
One response to “Great Divide Mountain Bike Route Day 57 & 58”
Kevin H.
I need to do a ride with you. Maybe a weekend ride. Love the photos.
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