Sunday morning after making, eating, and cleaning up scratch made pancakes Sunday breakfast, I bid adieu to Bill and Susan. I continued on my way westward on US 50. There were 2 road construction projects to drive thru. I heard one time the backup was what it was so just 30 vehicles were going thru at a time. Today I scored the almost no wait drive to Ridgeway to trailhead for the RAT system. RAT is Ridgeway Area Trails, a system volunteers funded and built that the BLM is proposing day use fee. I have ridden here several times. I started from the southern end climbing Big Cheese a purpose built for bikes trail. Hikers are able to hike trail also.
Nicely built trails and trails were signed. My route was shortened by me accepting the sign stating more fun this way. New trail not on TF for validation. It was a narrow trail playing with grade changes but it shorted out a loop. Pay attention, do the work not the fun. Veg cover is desert of juniper and sage. The Maze trail descends a gulley that the trail played with, pay attention turns. 6.77 miles climbing 666′. I encountered nary a person or beast during my time out. Sunny warm day, temp in 80s at 7,xxx’, October 6.
From previous visits I knew of a camping spot nearby. The spot was empty. First visit here I parked a short distance away and was snowed on. Tonight was warm early then chilled enough for the heater to heat.
This morning I headed back to Montrose to ride the Rimrocker trails that Susan and Bill recommended. This system is new to me. Trailforks shows a spaghetti of trails. I found the TH out west of Montrose. Warm, sunny but hazy. First trail ridden was Electric Avenue, seems all trails here have an electricity name. Great tight single track with lots of small technical problems, blues, not blacks. Juniper and Pinion pine and sage. My proper seat height allowed increasing difficulty tech features. Balance has become more evident as I can power pedal up things. I like these trails. I will return to ride again and stay.
Today my order of Happy Camper bread was delivered to OTE as ordered. I wanted to eat toast at breakfast more than staying for a second day of riding. Rolled into OTE like I never left. Four loaf order, I can store just 3, I gave 4th to shop guy.
So, now in western CO.