Most of us arrived in Steamboat Springs on Friday. Saturday was 'put your bike together, walk around town, and check out the excitement as everyone arrives' day. There was a short but fun hail shower around noon...pea-size hail that hurt if it hit you! Ron and I cruised around on our bikes for whopping 25 miles, spending some time in Steamboat Resort and hiking up on the ski mountain a bit. Really felt the altitude!
Sunday biked over Rabbit Ears Pass (9500ft) to Walden, CO (population 780). Other than the climb, was a relatively easy day which was good for getting acclimated to the altitude. Nice days but cool nights. Wooke up the next morning with ice on the tent.
Monday crossed the state line and into Saratoga, Wyoming. Saw a couple of antelope! Again, Saratoga was a real small, neat town.
Tuesday biked over Snowy Range Pass and into Laramie, Wyoming. Snowy Range was spectacular...still good amount of snow on top. Camped on the University of Wyoming campus....which was convenient for me since it was Laundry Nite for me! Had a typical afternoon rain shower that blew through quickly.
Wednesday it was back into Colorado - destination Estes Park! You would have loved this ride Donny: at mile 101 we had 1.5 miles of 12.5% grade! This was our longest day at 109 miles.
Thursday was an 'off day' in Estes Park. Some folks went river rafting, hiking, optional bike loop. Dan and I took the aerial tram to get good views of Estes Park and surrounding mountains of Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park. Then just bummed around town most of the day.
Friday was back on the bikes. Cycled through Rocky Mountain National Park. Highest point on the road was 12,183ft! Thought I would be acclimated by then but still felt it around the 11,000ft mark. Climbed above the tree line and into alpine tundra. Incredible! Was really cold at the top, in the high 30s with wind chill a bit colder. Was a cold but beatiful descent. Saw some elk! Destination that day was Granby. Friday nite was all piled into the car of the friend whom I mentioned was following the route. Destination: Winter Park...only 18 miles down the road. Took the ski lift with plans to ride the alpine slide but started raining and they shut the slide down. Had a great dinner anyway in Winter Park.
Saturday biked back over Rabbit Ears Pass and into Steamboat Springs.
Total: 510m 30,400ft
Well, better get back to work. Was a hard day mentally yesterday. Not used to air conditioning, dressing up, sitting still for so long. and for some reason my legs keep going in circles...this is getting embarassing!
Next year's route looks like Montana and Idaho. Cost is $450. I've already signed up....would love to see ya'll there!!!!!