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Day 18
Colorado Rocky Mountain High!

ROUTE: Montrose to Gunnison CO DISTANCE: 65 miles without the optional side trip of 18 miles WINDS: Brisk headwinds during departure, crisp tailwinds after 30 miles
WEATHER: Cool morning warm afternoon...high 80 TERRAIN: Mountainous TOTAL CLIMBING: 5040 feet

DAILY DOINGS: Good morning...time to ride!  Early load for a remote breakfast and an optional side trip to view the Black Canyon just about 7 miles from the motel.  I offered everyone the opportunity to take a side trip today, but only 12 braved the steep 2000 foot climb over 14 extra miles to view the magnificent canyon.  Most were dissuaded when they met a brisk headwind right out of the motel...some thought they might not ever get to the SAG with the conditions at hand.  But they were experiencing a morning slope wind...winds that blow down the mountain...and in our case that meant a headwind to start.  When the riders got over Cerro Summit at about 13 miles into the ride, the winds starting kicking them in the butt.

The riders that took the 7 mile (one way) side trip were questioning their judgment about half way up the slope.  The pitch started out pretty steep (in the neighborhood of 9%) for the first mile and a half then it leveled out for a mile or so before pitching up to 7 or 8% for the rest of the way.  I sat on the slope counting the riders to make sure we knew who was not on route and then went up with them to make sure everyone was OK.  I alerted everyone to the fact there were deer feeding along the roadside all the way up the mountain...caution to be advised! 

The views of the canyon were magnificent.  I wish everyone could have gone up to see what only Mother Nature could produce.  The canyon walls were over a half mile high surrounding the Gunnison River below.  It's hard to imagine how long it took the river to carve it's path through the rock.  Early erosion was easy and relatively quick, but now the water only deepens the canyon about an inch a century...our generation will see it like it is for as long as we are around.

Today was one of the toughest climbing days we've had so far.  Right out of the motel we started to climb and crested our first summit at Cerro.  Then a smooth pavement descent for 6 miles then another pretty steep climb to the SAG at 27 miles.  Because of the side trip, the last rider didn't get to the SAG until about 1:00...long day in the saddle to say the least.  After the SAG we descended about a grand into a beautiful canyon before our last rise to the Blue Mesa.  The views from the mesa were breath taking...it was hard to keep your eyes on the road, but you'd better because you were descending at a brisk pace to the water's edge.  The last 15 miles were along the Blue Mesa Reservoir and the Gunnison River and the tailwind made the last miles go by fast.  Great day...beautiful scenery...tired legs for tomorrow. 

Tomorrow we climb to our highest peak for the ride...Monarch Pass at 11,300+.  Our total climb will be in the neighborhood of 4000 feet and we'll climb until 43 miles.  From there it's coast almost all the way to the motel...can't wait!  I'm riding tomorrow...see you then.

 

 

 

DAILY DISCERNING DIALOGUE:

"Why would anyone want to hurry in and get to the motel?  This is the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen."  Alan while sitting near Blue Mesa Reservoir.

"Putting on this sweaty helmet is like putting on a wet bathing suit."
"I wouldn't know, I've never put a wet bathing suit on me head."  David answering Bill's comment about his helmet.

"Is that the good tube?"
"To me, there's no such thing as a good tube."  Conversation with Scott during a tire changing exercise...he's up to 11 now.

"This better be damn good!"  Yelled at me by Clarence while climbing the optional 10% grade to the Black Canyon.  When he got there, he admitted it was well worth the effort.  "They just don't have anything like this in Alabama."

"I think this is an hors' category climb."  Tom on the same hill.

"I was looking for my 'Great Granny Gear' on that climb."  Monica...those Florida girls are a hoot.

"That was a tough climb...oh look, my rear brake is dragging...geeze!"  Larry...missed that in preflight check again.

Richard Pauls was preparing to leave breakfast when he picked up a helmet..."Hmmm, someone left their camera in my helmet."  Then someone pointed out that he already had "HIS" helmet on his head.

 

 DAILY DUH: This one actually happened yesterday.  Even the staff aren't immune to low brain activity.  I was at McDonalds eating lunch...time to leave so I decided to use the bathroom.  I made my way in but someone was in the stall...OK, I'll wait outside.  I moved back into the hallway to wait my turn when Jenny came walking by and walked right into the one I'd just come out of...hmmmmm.  It was a common mistake as the Men/Women symbols on the door were almost identical and hard to tell apart...except for the skirt on the symbol on the ladies room and the words LADIES underneath...could happen to anyone.

DAILY DIGITAL DELIGHTS

TODAY THERE WAS JUST TOO MANY GOOD PHOTOS...JUST ENJOY WHAT WE SAW ALL DAY!

Clarence in the Gunnison Canyon.

Joe along the Aspens.

The climb to the Black Canyon...Tom makes it look easy.

Just breath taking.

Bruce along the Blue Mesa Reservoir.

Steve and Karen at the canyon overlook.

Red, White, and Blue all the way...Scott, David, and Bill braved the steep climb to overload their senses at the canyon.

Doug and Tom enjoy the view.

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