Ride the Rockies 2010 – Day 7
Alamosa to Villa Grove via CO 17, over (the last!) Poncha Pass and into Salida – 84 miles
Camp start moving well before dawn
Ahhhh. The last day of Ride the Rockies.
As usual, we are up before dawn. I’m moving more slowly than the first day, yet I along with the other wind and pain hardened riders seem to exude a sense of jubilation with the knowledge that we are nearing the end of the longest, hardest-ever, 25th anniversary Ride the Rockies.
Typical breakfast food line
Our morning routines are becoming patterned like a worn out work glove . I remember before the Ride when my parents said that would typically wake up at 4:30am, at that time it didn’t make any sense. After participating in one, it all now makes sense. Typically in the morning after identifying where the food sources are, one goes over and waits in line. After eating, then one waits in line for the porta-potties. If I had some sort of system of eating at the tent, for example, if I ate dry oats for breakfast, I would be able to sleep in until 5am…
My Barracuda mountain bike
Riding a mountain bike is a good source of conversation, although people are somewhat surprised at my mode of transportation. (Most people, probably around 97% of riders are on racing or touring bicycles.) At a stop light, one guy said, “Wow. You’re on a mountain bike. That’s really bad ass.” I could tell he was thinking, “What’s wrong with you?” He then said, “Why are you on a mountain bike?”
A solar farm in the San Luis Valley
I was tired of explaining the previous bicycle mechanical, that the shifters didn’t work, that it was too small… so I switched to, “Yeah, I’m doing penitence.”
At another stop, a different person asked how much single track I had been riding. That comment, I didn’t care for that much. But at that point, it didn’t really bother me. I was glad it was the last day.
This cyclist seemed to really be enjoying the swings
On this ride, I noticed that there were a few people in alien masks standing by the side of the road. I think we passed some sort of alien roadside attraction.
We also passed a solar energy farm. By then I could take pictures while riding.
There were also sights that gave me joy. At one of the rest stops, one cyclist really seemed to be enjoying the swings. (He was pumping his legs perfectly!) I’m pretty sure the doll on the ground belongs to the girl on the swing next to him.
We had a tailwind on this day as well!
We had a rest stop in Villa Grove and (small world) my Dad and I saw a friend that we hadn’t seen in years.
My Dad and I - Yes!
After going over the last pass, Poncha Pass, which was mercifully easy in comparison to previous passes, we descended into Salida and to this year’s finish.
Thanks to everyone for a great 25th Ride the Rockies!
I did my first RtR on a mountain bike, with knobbies, and I got some really odd comments, too. But we did Cottonwood Pass that year, and all the roadies kept saying that day they’d give anything for my bike! Congrats on the ride, and hope you had a ball!
Thanks Snowcatcher! It was a good time. Don’t know if you did this one, but if you did, hope it was also good.
Way to go chica! You have some really nice photos from your ride. Thanks for putting my truck in.
What exactly is wrong with dry oats… especially if it buys you another hour of sleep.
Thank you! It could not have happened without your help. It was penitence-punishing, but a good humbling experience!
I’m just saying… Eating dry oats is a really good system! It’s the only thing that came into mind that didn’t need to be cooked and can be appreciated right out of the bag. It’s a most excellent breakfast Gunnar!