Thursday I finished up doing city things then drove down to Penitente canyon. Big open spaces driving south on US 285. Turned off highway then drove paved county road then turned off on gravel to complete ride to canyon. Just b4 the final turn special event signs showed up. Some kind of event. I drove into the camp ground looking for a spot. every campsite had a yellow paid sign on then. I drove back to camp ground host to ask what’s up. There is a 12 hour mountain bike race on Sat and the event booked all camp sites. I was allowed permission to spend the night and for me to leave early AM then park at the main TH. I complied.
Sat I asked about the course and learned that it is all marked. I figured they solved my navigation by riding the course. I pedaled off. A little bit of tech then it used double track. Nuts, I thought, the course would miss the fun stuff I rode last weekend with BV folks such as Sunshine Kitty and Rock Drops. Some where around mile 5 the course picked up the tech challenging stuff. The course used almost all the available trail including the fun stuff. I stayed after it stopping only to catch my breath taking 2 hrs 13 mins to pedal 15.6 miles climbing 1735′. Beautiful warm day. I spoke to a race official when I finished. He said record time was 1 hr 20 mins. Maybe when I was younger. He said they had 95 racers signed up. I hung around for awhile enjoying sunshine warmth.
I highlight roads I have driven on in my worn tattered road atlas. I saw that highway 114 was undriven which is another route to cross the Divide on the way to Gunnison. I drove west stopping for the night at Buffalo Creek XG on the east side of the divide. Small XG shared with just a few other campers. Today I finished the climb over the Divide them down slope into Gunnison. I reconnected with Bill and Susan from Tomichi cycles. I needed to visit instead of just passing thru. Great people.
Sunshine sort of warm day but blasted by strong winds. Too windy for my enjoyment. I will hang here for the night and ride tomorrow.
Next stop is Junction / Fruita.
I need to make mail forwarding arrangements for Fruita which will hold me there until mail receipt.
Sunshine with clear skies at night for temps below freezing. I filled propane today to get me thru next several days. Always great to stay ahead of an empty tank.
The aspens have shed their leaves leaving just bare trunks. They were the source of the golden fall colors. No reds here.