OK, for any of you looking for the nicest 50 bike ride almost anywhere, then the ride from Westcliffe to Salida via 1-A through Cotopaxi would be hard to beat. I have heard that the off road track from Monarch Pass is considered the best in the world, I can believe it. Beautiful mountains, winding along the Arlansas River, and believe it or not mostly flat to downhill, pretty outstanding to be high enough to go downhill and still stay up inthe midst of peaks from 9-14,000 ft.
(Scotty, I have not been able to find the 81,000 ft pass, though if I do come across it, I will let you know and the two of us can rocket it together!)
The plan for today is to enjoy the town and immeasuate surroundings. My Aunt is driving down from Denver, so we will spend the late afternoon and evening with her. Before dark we will ride just 5 miles up the road to Poncha Springs where we will stay tonight in a B&B with a hot tub. This splurge is in preparation for the ride to the pass and over the Continental Divide! 11,213 ft ( we begin the climb from about 6,800 ft and will elevate over the course of 20 miles (the first ten of which are reported to be flat!). It ought to be quite a morning.
Once over the top we will decemd the remaining 40 plus miles to Gunnison. I figure that portion will take a little over an hour; we'll be screaming.
More later
Karina and Pete
Here we are, daughter and dad, with a big idea to cycle across the country this summer ('09). We want you all to come with us, or mostly feel like you have! Follow our adventure via this blog, and as a trade for not having to spend your summer cranking away over hill and dale, you can join in directly by making gift to the Ithaca College Crew Endowment! Thanks. (California (gulp), here we come!)
Get in the boat!
Add your effort to ours by clicking on the image to get you to the right place where you can make a real difference for the IC Crew! Hear's to the next 40 years of rowing at Ithaca College!
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