June 18, Day 18

June 18, Day 18
Montrose to Gunnison, CO
Mileage: 65.4
Temperature: Pretty close to perfect. Cool in the morning and as we climbed it stayed in the mid to high 70's

Dear All,

Today was a dandy. Although the mileage seems like a cakewalk we climbed almost 4,000' in the first 35 miles. These were tough climbs, but more on that later.

Before we describe today's events I thought I would give you a quote from another rider, Rick, who had the following to say in his blog yesterday. Before reading on you should know that Rick is known for stretching the truth ever so slightly. He's a great guy.

“Today is John's birthday. He announced that he is now eligible for Social Security retirement, so one can presume that he is a vigorous and healthy 62 years old. Amy, however, seems much younger and she must have been a fairly recent child bride. She is a strong athlete, and furthermore there is reason to believe she is immune to the effects of gravity. Sometimes as we climb hills Amy darts up to the summit and then back down to where we are laboring. She smiles with a twinkle in her eye, tells a joke, then dashes back to the top. If she were not already married I might try to fix her up with one of my sons.”

Now, on to today.

We started the day at 6:30 am and within the first quarter mile we started to bump into the 2,500 riders who are part of the Ride the Rockies tour that lasts a week. We rode the entire day with riders in front, behind and to our left and right. They were like mosquitoes, all over the place and you couldn't shake them. In fact, most of the time it was neat seeing so many people on bikes. For our entire biking career we have been accustomed to looking for traffic before pulling out onto the road. This was the first time we have ever experienced having to look to the left and wait for an opening based on a break not in the automobile traffic, but the bike traffic. It really was something to behold.

The pictures give you an idea of the numbers and the port-a-pottys give you an idea of the logistics in setting something like this up. They had SAG stops every 15 miles or so and at each one there were medical personal, pot a pottys, and venders selling god know what.

Most of the riders knew bike manners and would announce as they passed on the left. Because we were wearing our America by Bicycle jerseys, many that were passing us or that we passed wanted to know about our trip. The responses were either “Man, I want to do that” or something like “Man, why didn't you pick the Vatican to bike across. You guys are nuts”. In any event it was interesting to chat with many of the riders from CO about their beloved State.

The wind in the morning was whistling in from the east. A rider with the group, George, who at one point many years ago was on track to ride for the USA in the Olympics and who lives in Frisco, CO tells us that in the morning the winds blow down the mountains and in the afternoon they blow up the mountains (up valley winds). We suppose that makes sense. However, it was of no help this morning at all. Since we were scheduled to climb about 4,000 feet in the first 35 miles (most of the climbing was within 20 miles) adding the wind added a particularly sinister element. At points along the way before the climbs started we were down to 8 mph in a modest paceline. Amy was being blown all over the road.

Then the climbs started. They really put the hurt on the riders. At points the speed was down to 4 mph. Amy had real trouble with the first climb (putting Rick's story above slightly into the realm of fiction) but she made it to the top. In fact, on the road someone had painted the words “DO NOT QUIT, (AMY)”. We don't know who that was intended for but it helped our Amy immensely. After the first climb there was some level riding followed by another dandy. In any event we made it to the top somewhat worse for wear, but made it nonetheless.

Then began a downhill thru the most beautiful canyon we have ever seen. The pictures don't do it justice but we put one in anyway. After rolling thru the canyon we came to the Blue Mesa Lake which was simply stunning. It took our breath away. The water was calm, blue and enticing. There were anchored boats which gave it a particularly pleasant look and the snow capped mountains were in the distance. Heaven ain't far from that place!!

Luckily the wind shifted to the West for the last 15 or so miles as we rolled into Gunnison where we had a late lunch at a cute little spot with the best homemade bread. Then to the room, shower, and off to route rap to get the scare of our lives.

Tomorrow is a relatively short day, BUT we climb up and over Monarch Pass at 11, 312'. That will be in the range of about 3,000 feet of climbing in about 7 miles. We're not sure but we think that means it's straight up. Bed tonight at 8:00 pm since we'll be up at 5:00 am in order to eat and be on the road at 6:30 am. Say a prayer to the weather gods that we don't get snow on the way up and that the wind which will surely start out in our face will move around to an up valley breeze as soon as possible.

Keep sending the good vibes, praying to the weather gods and, as always, thanks for reading.

Amy and John