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.

My last look up into the night sky on Sunday night was star filled. Forecast was calling for snow starting around 5. I crawled into bed just about 11. Winds blasted broadside rocking me like a cradle in a tree. Rocking blasting. Maybe the weatherman was on to actual. About 5 I woke up listening to the sounds of snowflakes hitting sheetmetal. Flakes fell to cover the entire windshield. Snow continued to fall during breakfast. Snug under layer of snow.

A rest day enhanced by snow on the ground. I visited Dave inside his house. I slipped going down bare steps landing on my right arm etc. I made range of motions to learn if I damaged it, Shoulder movement was acceptable. Solar panel was covered by snow till afternoon. I drove out for coffee beans, propane refill, and groceries. Local coffee roaster. Drove onto grocery store parking lot choosing a drive thru spot beside a car that was slightly skewed in the lane. Driving away I did not account again for the turning radius for length of van as I turned right into her front end. I was stuck to her car. I wrote the license plate down and walked into the store to customer service. PA announcement produced a woman who said that might be her. I told her what I did and asked her to come outside. Yes it was her car. Driver door would not open. She crawled in from the passenger side. I turned her steering wheel as she backed up to free herself from my unwanted contact. Bigger crease on the left side with the slider door dented, it still opens which is what is needed. Another insurance claim.

I bought a new belt to fit my smaller waist as the 30 inch belt won’t keep my britches up.

Spent night on the road side in front of Dave and Mekelle’s house. Dave and I made a plan to drive down to Canon City to ride Oil Well Flats trails as it will prolly be snow free as it is further east and at 6,000’ 2,000’ below BV. Plan changed as Paul called to say he will go down and spend the night. Mekelle was off today allowing her to come.

Paul and I drove down Arkansas River to Canon City where Paul has trail familiarity. He changed our plan from riding Oil Well 2X to ride the South Canon(trails?) that were prison theme named as we rode Hard Times and Great Escape among others. A large prison is in the town hence the easy name selections. Purpose built chunky trails.

We shared the trail with 8 legs making good tracks.

14 miles climbing  1584’. Beautiful day. Put this trail system on your radar. Paul set a brisk pace faster than I could match. Mostly pedaling little gawking.

We finished our day out at Oil Well Flats camp spot. Dave and Mekelle arrived later.

Today we luxuriated in the warming sun. Forecast was for 70 under sunny skies. Fall chill in the air. What a ride here albeit less technical. These trails really work me. Oil Well Flat trails. Still a hump. 13.2 miles climbing1398′

We encountered a man and woman riding towards us. She was riding a new full suspension bike making a good go of a rocky descent. She stopped right beside me. I noticed that she was using 2 fingers on her brake levers and the levers were not adjusted for efficiency. I tipped her on how to use her brakes using just 1 finger. Later we caught up with her. This time I offered to adjust her levers and she permitted. She is on the city council. I talked with her later in the parking lot as I was interested in community support for these great trails as she was wearing a Tshirt logoed for these trails. She said that tourism is the second biggest economic engine and the city is paying a trail crew. How great.  13.2 miles climbing 1398’. Add Canon City to your bucket list.

We hung in the parking lot enjoying the sun. They left back to home and I stayed in the parking lot. My lack of planning needed attention requiring focus.

Sat morning was a short drive to Buena Vista to visit with Dave and Mikelle whom I briefly met in Sedona then spent an evening around a camp fire drinking beer in Bentonville, AR. GPS nailed the address.

Beautiful fall day. We geared up for a ride on their local trails riding from their house which is almost on the Arkansas river bank. Their friend Scott joined. Decomposed granite and chunk. Bacon Bits trail. Met Paco, a friend of Dave and Mikelle’s who was seeking other riders to ride Penitente on Sunday. It got planned.

Sat evening was a big gathering at a neighbors for a family celebration of friends to celebrate a baby shower. Many of the people are river recreators. I slept parked on the side of the road in front of their house.

Sunday we rolled out heading south stopping to pick up Paulo. The ride was well south of Salida about 90 mins away. Just drop dead beautiful day: warm, no wind, and no clouds. Area is popular with bouldering and biking. Just big rock chunks of granite and decomposed same for tread. I was in for a treat as I would not have picked this place to ride.

Just a phenomenal day. We pedaled for 2 hours covering 14.6 hard miles gaining 1817′. Lots of tech moves and short climbs. With fun filled downhills rolling up and down pillows of granite. Pretty worked. day was so pleasant we extended our visit hanging at the TH.

Weather forecast for today was snow starting this AM. Last night the sky was filled with stars which made it difficult to believe the weatherman. I crawled into bed just b4 11 when the east wind kicked up from calm. I was rocked to sleep. About 5 this morning I heard the wisp of snow flakes hitting the roof. Snow kept at it covering the windshield. Forecast was correct. I am hanging here in front of their house letting weather enforce a rest day. However, snow is quitting and Dave floated a snow ride. Curses, I must avoid the temptation.

My plan was to drive up to Breckenridge area, however snow fell there also. Temps will be above freezing tomorrow but below freezing at night which might more than likely freeze thaw mud. Scratch high country riding. New plan is to drive east to Colorado Springs then N to Denver to visit a cousin then prolly head west on I 70 on way to Moab perhaps riding again same places. Next big stop is Moab. I prefer to remain under tree cover before desert.

Cloudy skies and enough snow on the solar panel to block out energy absorption. Furnace running for warmth. Flee early winter conditions. Leaf color is from the golden cottonwoods, few aspen which have lost most of their leaves which don’t hang on for long after turning.