In Montrose Wed 7/15/2015

Rest Day in Montrose

Mike and Mindy Cassidy and kids

Gunnison to Montrose, CO Tue 7/14/2015

I really saw some beautiful scenery through this part of Colorado.

Gunnison River

Sagebrush

Smooth water surface makes for some beautiful reflection pictures.

More reflections

I really like this one

Still another

Last one

There is a buffalo in this field and there's a broken fence.  I
made a quick turnaround when he moved close to that opening.

Not desolate, just different.

I did have deer cross the road in front of me a couple of times, but they're faster on their feet than I am with the camera.

Morrow Point Reservoir

Geology students from the University of Iowa (The Hawkeyes).  They bring students here quite often to study the formation of rocks here.  I mentioned coming across the Appalachia Mountains to their professor and he told me that billions of years ago those mountains were higher than Mount Everest is today.  That as the continents shifted that raised the Himalayas and lowered the Appalachians.  Really quite interesting talking with him.

Another "not desolate, but different" scene.

Such a pretty view looking across this reservoir at the rock formations of that mountain

The Rocky Mountains are not only long, but wide.

Water, mountains, clouds.

Elk are beautiful animals, even if it is a statue.

A father and son from Germany riding the opposite direction as me.  I had stopped on a pull-out to take some pictures and the son rode across the highway toward me with a big smile on his face.  I said "Man, meeting you here is like meeting family."  He replied, "Yes, it is."  They thought it was cool that I had German made Schwalbe tires.  We visited and shared stories for about 45 minutes.  Their combined age equaled my age.

This reminds me of the White Mountains in Arizona.

Ate some of the most delicious home made pie with ice cream near Cimarron while visiting with this handsome  man.  He was a very quiet man, didn't have anything to say,  didn't even nod his head.

Gunnison River

Getting close to the summit

Made it.  But, the rain pelted me when I was going down the other side.

   

Another beautiful sign.

Salida to Gunnison, CO Mon 7/13/2015

     Today is the day I encounter the real obstacle.  11,312 feet high Monarch Pass.  That's a little more than a 4,000 foot ascent.

Monarch Pass is up there somewhere 

Getting closer but I do need a short rest break

Met Pat Robinson on this climb.  He's from Kansas City and comes to Colorado quite often to ride the different bike routes here

Quite a ways to the top yet

Somewhat heavy traffic to contend with

This is not a welcome sign.  I am walking at this point.  A couple hundred beyond this sign a lady stops in a SUV and says, "you look like you could use some help.  I can take you to the top of the pass."  I responded, "Since you offered I accept."

This is the lady that rescued me from that last 6 miles up to Monarch Pass

Back together again and ready for the downhill ride to Gunnison.

Now I'm really heading towards the Pacific Ocean.




This is Bob and Dale. One is from Gunnison and the other is from Czechoslovakia.  Met them at the summit.

Starting downhill now.

Smooth highway, downhill grade, nice riding but watch your speed.

Clouds build up fast up here and they also make for good photos.

Another pretty shot.

Green now, white in winter

A contrast

Sunday in Salida, CO Sun 7/12/2015

     Went to church at the Salida Branch.  Also visiting was a Scout Troop from Houston, Texas on their High Adventure Activity.

Salida Branch Meetinghouse

Looking down into the town of Salida

Pasture and mountains

Passed these two relics riding home from church

Went to WalMart to get supplies for Monday and met Jeff and John outside the store.  They are from Vermont and are riding the Continental Divide Ride.  They looked at my Trek bike, my Brooks saddle, and my Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires and remarked, "You know what you're doing".  Of course that made me feel good.  They are riding the route from South to North.  They started at Douglas, AZ and will end at Banff, Canada.

One of their bikes loaded with their gear

The other bike loaded with their gear

Sweetwater Motel to Salida, CO Sat 7/11/2015

     Very beautiful ride today.  Continued to follow the river upstream but no real steep hills to walk up.

This is pretty

The mountains in the background are telling me "the best is yet to come"

This cyclist going the opposite direction had lots of advice for me.  But I don't remember what it was

This is the bicycle mechanic that checked my bike out in Salida.  I took it in for a tune-up.  He checked it out real quick and said he didn't see problems.  He was right.  Bike has functioned great.  He did adjust my pedals so it is easier to unclip.  He told me no charge.  What information he gave me was very valuable in my opinion so I tipped him anyway.