I left Rapid City with repaired computer and a full tank of diesel. Next stop was Nebraska, Chadron area. Nebraska is rather thin for mountain biking. Chadron was what existed. Windy drive over non interstate roads seeing more while driving and about 60 mph max. Van still sends out sound that the replaced alternator didn’t eliminate. I am still seeking a shop that is able to read the transmission fluid level.
So Nebraska. I made my route go thru the state with intent of another ride in state. I found the Pine Ridge trail on TF outside Chadron SP. Drove up steep narrow road to TH. Hmm…. grassland. Located van in shade of 1 tree, temps in low 90s. I oriented the digital maps then took of to walk some of the trail. Right away numerous cow paths competed with the trail sporadically marked by wooden posts with a short band of paint at the top end. I followed out a ways then became confused with where trail went. Seems I should put my phone on my handlebar to be able to navigate more closely than every now and then removing it from my shorts pocket. Assessment of trail is just cow paths. I spent the night then left in the morning not having ridden in the state. I was tossed as to do I ride here for myself or for boasting to the public. Somewhere here was my only ride in the state back in 2008.
Next up was Cheyenne, WY and Curt Gowdy State Park. At Cheyenne with internet access I google transmission repair shops and laundromat. I called several shops and drove to one, all were not able to snake a dip stick into the transmission. I drove to laundromat that reviewers said was best in town. Google maps led me around to the establishment. It failed to measure up to its reviews. I am wearing clean clothes afterwards. From there I drove out of town passing Curt Gowdy SP to enter FS land and dispersed camping in assigned spots only. Stutter bump road out then tank traps to an empty spot. 7858′ elevation.
Next morning, Friday, I drove back to Curt Gowdy, paid $12 out of state admission, then drove to main mountain bike TH. This ride will be my 4th visit. I selected a route from TF, the grand CG tour. Area is spotted with numerous weathered granite slabs ad uprights. Decomposed granite tread plus solid. I concentrated keeping my effort below threshold to some success. Trail intersections were all marked. I kept watch on TF. I missed an intersection, my mistake. Again, phone location. Blunder cost me many feet of hoisting my bike up steep steps etc. Corrected blunder via other trails. My effort was suffering. I cut short the tour riding just, I haven’t uploaded the ride.
Mid day foraging and changing from sweated riding clothes. I needed coffee beans. I found a roaster in Cheyenne and let google maps find it. Another head spinning route. I failed to find it at its address. I open the site only to see it was closed anyway. Sheesh. Moving along, I google FT Collins, just coffee beans, selected one then let maps navigate. Down town. Bought beans.
Next destination was cousin Susan and husband Don in Lakewood, CO. Route went down l-25 where I suffered thru several full stop backups. So many vehicles, such long back ups. Made Susan’s driveway as maps sent me. Susan and Don welcomed me in. They fed me and supplied family interaction. I spent the night in their driveway. Next morning I rode with Don to the railroad museum where he volunteered his time. The library hosted the all day event. I immersed myself in railroad history with many steam engines and wooden rail cars, all of what was state of the art back in its days. I visited with an 82 year old man. Don scored ride tickets for seats on rail car pulled by steam engine. A woman ahead of me getting on the car called me by name and said her name, it was Hailey, daughter to friend Tom back in Spokane. She said she recognized me by voice and person. We hadn’t seen each other for many years. Ride over Don and I returned to his house. This evening a celebration of family birthdays would take place. Susan and I are same age, me being a few days older. They have 2 married daughters who each have 2 kids. Dinner with many fixings. Susan baked an angel food cake and iced it with 7 minute frosting which is a tradition from our shared grandmother. I got to lick the icing bowl clean. My mother, Susan’s aunt, made same cake for all of my families birthdays. I carried tradition forward back when I was living in Spokane by making the same. I learned the icing making.
Spent the night again. In the morning I doubled my scratch pancake recipe ( Sunday breakfast) to share with them. Licked clean plates.
I bid adieu heading to Buffalo to ride. This will be a repeat visit. I scored an open campsite where I stayed my first visit. Again, picked a 12 mile route in TF. I rode the FS stuttered dirt road to start of Little Scrapping loop. Nice single track on decomposed granite and slabs. Starting elevation was 7828′ climbing from there. I passed the filled TH yet shared the trails with maybe 7 people. Aspen are progressing to full population golden leaves. I pedaled with discipline for an hour straight. I took a break but after I resumed climbing my body was not smiling. Work. Reached high point then trail dropped twisting and turning. Decomposed granite is squirrely, berms were firm. Another missed intersection sent me past where I wanted to be but the trail was going down so it was cool. I finally stopped to orient myself. I even put on my corrective glasses to read fine details. I saw I was passed the trail I wanted but retracing back was more uphill than I wanted. I saw by continuing I could catch a trail that would drop me down onto the road I was camped on requiring several miles of slight ups and downs. Once pedaling I learned how beat I was as I needed to walk some of the hills even pedaling in the 28X46 baby gear. Elevation and distance took a toll. 17.2 miles climbing 1909′ taking 2 hrs 43 mins moving uphill, flat, and down. I did it, it was more than I wanted. Better navigation decisions. Recovery time 66 hours.
Spending night out here. Tomorrow heading out of mountains down to Colorado Springs. I figure to find a transmission shop there for fluid check. I am planning on heading west on US 50.
It’s 9:30 at 7828′, side door is open, 64 degrees, September 29. Dry here also. Fires are allowed in established fire rings.
Enough for tonight. Internet not strong enough for pics.
Monday day time:
Friend Steve is recovering from crash that left him with broken collar bone and ribs.