What a Day!!! Talk about variety, beauty, challenges, rewards, more challenges and finally the destination after 12 hours since we rode away from Poncha Springs in the morning.
We rode away just after 8:00 am and arrived at our destination in Gunnison, about 8:30 pm as it was really getting dark.
Today was the day long thought about – the day we would climb the highest pass on our trip – Monarch Pass at 11,312 feet.
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He usually stayed within a quarter to half mile behind us and at times only one or two hundred yards, with his hazard lights flashing and the sign in his window.
Jake was the first to the top. Although his muscles let him know he had really pushed himself.
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He is riding alone from Brooklyn to San Francisco. Seeing the great protection my father was providing we offered that he ride with us, which he gladly accepted for the rest of the day.
Monarch Pass offers superb views in every direction. We wanted to linger longer, but it seems like we usually have to make a real effort each Saturday to make it far enough so we can attend church and rest on Sunday.
Today was no different. We had to climb Monarch Pass while riding a total of 66 miles, and with a few challenged thrown in.
The descent from the pass is ten miles straight down – braking for safety the whole time. In addition, the afternoon winds and developing thunderstorms caused totally unpredictable wind gusts from every possible direction as we wound our way down the canyons from the pass.
We were very hungry by the time we reached Sargents, where we had a good lunch. Then with threatening skies and strong headwinds we left Sargents, knowing we still had to ride 32 miles to Gunnison.
Not long afterwards the dark skies began to pelt us with very large drops of rain. But, thanks for Brian’s courage we ventured on without stopping.
Not long afterwards the rain ceased, but not the headwinds. When we took a short break the mosquitoes ate us up and gave us every reason to be back on our bikes.
With just 12 miles remaining and the sun starting to set, I had our first flat tire of the entire trip. I quickly turned around to walk the bike back to where my father’s car was still stopped, while sending Jake and Brian on towards Gunnison.
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While fixing the flat, I discovered a very small piece of wire on the inside of the tire, only ¼ of an inch long. It was quickly removed and a new tube was inserted, pumped up, and I was again on my bike, feeling hunger pains, fighting headwinds, itching all over from the bites, and seeing the sun darkening.
Within three miles the tire went flat again. I decided to pump it up to try to make it into Gunnison before dark. After repeating a frantic pumping exercise five successive times, I finally made it to town, finding Jake, but finding that all the motels were booked, except one which I had passed coming into town, which was now one and a half miles back outside town.
I pumped up the tire several more times, only to have to walk the bike the last half mile. But, we got a room. Dad, who was exhausted himself, went into town to get us a pizza, which we finally at after 10:00 pm.
What at day! But, we made it and we had the most uplifting and edifying spiritual time the following day.
We are so glad you made it safely. I got exhausted and itchy just reading about it! :) Glad you have decided on the safer, shorter Vernal route. Isn't Colorado just gorgeous? AT least you will have that to inspire you.
ReplyDeleteAmy