The Scraggly ride left me beat into the evening, sleep was not deep. I spent Monday recuperating at same spot. So nice being out in a forest. My recently resoled Bedrock sandals wore sticky bottom that I tested on various granite slabs nearby. This material far better grippy that original on my other pair.
Tues morn I drove down to Colorado Springs. I was back out there, many mountainous miles dropping down. Destination was a repair shop who said they had the proper transmission dip stick and would measure fluid level. Google adventure directed me to their parking lot. Guy came out with the measuring tool which he snaked down the filler neck. Except it would not pass thru an restriction sim to shop at Cheyenne. Bummer, still no info. I drove away following google to a Safeway that google shared. Long drive to get to. Water machine broken but no notice of not working. I bought a gallon of preferred bottled water, now $2.39, was up from $1.09. Who responsible for price increase?
My travel plan is to go south past Colorado Springs then go west on US 50. I pick a trail system at Cheyenne Mtn SP right off l-25. I rode here once before. I chose a route from TF. Started on wide smooth trail only narrowing and become more challenging further up. Server not allowing upload. Nice fall day, ran into 2 riders. Rode a loop. Not desirable to ride here again, no repeat.
I steered the van south to US 50 W. Canon City was on way. I needed a book. Google found Cheryl’s book nook selling used books right on Main st. Scored open street parking right at her front door. Whew: stacks of previously read paperbacks not arranged. No way am I going to systematically locate a book. I spied Red Dragon in which Hannibal Lector will be introduced. I will learn what attracts a certain politician.
TF shows many trail systems locally. I had ridden 2 of them, neither did I want to repeat if other choices. I picked the Royal Gorge system outside of town built on Canon City property. A campground was common to the trail system. $20 for night in deserted campground. Heater ran during the night. I dressed in bike clothes as I would ride from van. I selected a route from TF. Years ago I learned the city government realized value of building trails on their property, this system was a recipient. Single track, much machine built not overbearing. Excellent system. I rode for an hour completing the route leaving more miles unridden. Well worth repeating adding more.
Dream Weaver was downhill all the way, grade pleasant enough to pedal up. Crossed road onto Made in the Shade that surrendered more gravity loss. I’m telling myself that there will be a heavy penalty pedaling back up. I pedaled climbing stopping for panting. high point was 6855′.
Next was driving to Salida hoping to visit with Mark and Brenda whom we shared teaching cross country skiing at Snoqualmie back in the 80s. Mark set this blog up. They were home, we walked downtown for dinner sitting on outside patio right on the bank of season affected white water Arkansas river.
City camping on their curb.
I scored a dermatologist appointment in Grand Junction for next Tues. I will ride, drive, camp along US 50. I figure October in CO. Still in 80s for start of October.