Wow! I have been visiting people along the way spending time w/ them and not attending to sharing. Catch up.
Sat Brenda drove Mark and me again back up out of town for another coaster geek ride down backbone where Tony lead me last year. Good trail system just above Salida, well made and fun to ride w/ a few tech features mixed in.
Fun part was later that night when we went hot springing @ Mineral Hot springs resort for soaking and watching the sunset on the peaks to the east. Friend Don suggested the Valley View springs for its location up against the mtns, however our view was from further away w/o our noses pressed against the mtns. Long soak.
I checked out the dome that is used for a greenhouse. A dome is on my short list for a house I will have built.
Drove back to Salida. I cleaned Mark’s bike chain for Squirt lube.
I called Tomichi Cycles in Gunnison Sat and talked w/ Susan and made arrangements for a Sunday ride. Sunday is husband Bill’s day out and Susan’s kid care day.
Bid adieu to Mark and Brenda in Salida and headed west over Monarch Pass @ 11,300′. At the pass I noticed bare trees stripped of fall colors that Salida still held onto. Windy drive.
Arrived @ Bill and Susan’s house in Gunnison and renewed friendships. Chris joined us and we piled into B & S’s short roof Sprinter for short drive out of town to start of our ride. The first part was climbing on cow paths in the sage that cut my legs up. Our route joined Aberdeen loop, a single track over fractured rock. Riding here is open to the sky and visibility almost as far as your eyes could see. A bit windy that made some climbs into the wind particularly trying. Bill and Chris put together a 22.9 mile 3 hr 14 min 2763′ climbed ride. I am 22 years older than Bill that showed. I was gapped but never left behind.
B& S shared their dinner w/ me. A shower and a sleep spot out in front of their house. The temp dropped to 22 in the AM.
Monday was Susan’s ride day that she invited me on along w/ her friend Barb. This day we left just after 9 in much colder temps. However, back in town later the temp was 72. 50 degree temp swing. We started up Bambi’s in the deep shade so cold that my nose hurt breathing in. Susan is a very good tech rider. We rode down Skull Canyon which is a fist full of tech challenges a few of which I left unrideable by me. We dropped down to Beaver Creek, on of many such named creeks in the state. Susan broke ice over puddles on the trail. Later we returned the same way and there was still ice over other puddles. On our way back a male rider just like that appeared behind me. it was Dave Wiens legendary Leadville race winner. He was picking up litter on the trails. Susan introduced us. I helped pick up litter. This ride was 16.55 miles in 2hrs 36 mins climbing 2183′.
Hartman Rocks offers some very challenging riding. Great weather and great riding made for a great day.
Back @ B&S’s for a shower saying good bye and looking forward to meeting in Sedona this winter.
Next stop was Montrose @ Cascade bike to pick up a map of the new Sidewinder trail that I first learned of in Green River and Susan shared her brief ride. I found the bike shop just after 5. As I walked to the door a guy stood in the doorway as if he was going to close the store. I walked faster and said something as I entered the store behind his back. He turned around and looked @ me and called me by name. It was Drew whom I rode w/ last year @ Grand Junction and met several other times back east. Drop dead incredible. He and Kimila, his wife, were riding in Fruita and Grand Junction summer of 2010. They were so impressed w/ the area that and went back to Atlanta and Kimila filed job transfer w/ WalMart for a position out here. She got one 30 days later in Delta just up the road from Montrose and Drew scored shop manager @ the bike shop. Drew put together a plan that I could not say no to: sleep in their farm driveway and do a shuttle ride on Sidewinder the next day. Kimila said of their new place that it was big enough for Craig to camp in. She did not know I was at their house when she pulled in the drive way. Her headlights caught the back of my van for her surprise. Great company. We sat around catching up.
Today we worked the weather forecast to get in our 10 mile ride on this very tech Sidewinder trail. I broke a spoke nipple on a previous ride that caused the adjoining spokes to creak on every pedal stroke. I finally got my big chain ring scar when i slipped backwards onto the teeth. My confidence is growing both in step up climbing and roll overs. Very technical trail. Rain caught us right at the finish when we were in the tightest part of the wash we descended. Skies were overcast w/ sun breaks and warm.
I drove Drew back to Montrose to his shop and he fixed up my wheel which is still running true after almost 2 years of riding. I knew there was a thorn or nail in my tire and I found it after Drew took it off the rim. About 1/16′ dia and 1/2 long into the inside of the tire. Credit to Stan’s for sealing the leak. I pulled the thorn out. Drew pumped up the tire and the Stan’s sealed the leak. Great shit.
Tonight is dinner @ their house. I am fixing my Waldorf salad.
Tomorrow the forecast is for likely rain that I will use to drive to Grand Junction and a rest day after 7 days of straight riding.
Rain fell overnight in Olathe, Denver got snow as did the mtns above me.