Today had us leaving the Rockies and entering into the flats of Eastern Colorado. Really an excellent ride today, but tough to see the mountains disappearing behind me. Another remarkable fact about today: Today was the first time since I left the Willamette Valley that the humidity stayed above 20% for the entire day . . . not much above 20% but above 20% nonetheless.
| One last ride flirting with the the Colorado frontcountry - |
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| . . . and one last opportunity to dash down one of these! |
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The ride out of Canon City took me to Florence and then Wetsome for one last climb to just above 6000 feet. Then a quick cruise to Pueblo - the last semi-big city on the route (population just over 100,000). I'll never forget that as a kid - Pueblo, Colorado was always the place that was mentioned whenever any sort of government pamphlet was needed. The sign on entry into Pueblo actually said "the land of all of the government pamphlets" (. . . I kid).
The route went past two prisons - one Federal and one State - both very initimidating looking. At one point Amy was pointing out all of the concertina wire and whatnot around the prison, when she noticed a bunch of inmates milling and playing ball in a large outside area. "Look! They're having recess!"
After leaving Pueblo the flats began - and so it shall be for the next few days I'm guessing. At one point I got stuck stopped behind a semi waiting to be allowed through a one-lane-only road construction site. Naturally when we got rolling I tucked myself in behind that semi and stayed there as long as I could. After we left the construction area he ramped his speed back up and spit me out of his draft - but not until we had been motoring along at 40+ mph for a few miles! Drafting semi's is the best (and VERY safe).
After nearly 6 hours of pedaling I was almost to Ordway - our stop for the night - when I got a jingle on my cell from Amy saying that she was still back in Pueblo - nearly 60 miles behind me! Had time to kill so when I saw a couple of touring bikes leaning up against a convenience store I HAD to stop and see what was doing. Arthur and Raleigh - a father and son team from Connecticut are also East-bound. They started in San Francisco and are doing the Western Express route - so had some tough days crossing deserts and mountains in Nevada and Utah. Was good chatting with them - hopefully will link up with them again over the next few days.
Once Amy arrived in Ordway we made camp in a campground that has definitely seen better days. Not sure this place even has a name. Let's just say it's tucked in behind a store, looks like it had its heyday 30-40 years ago, and features semi-permanent RV's and is surrounded by mobile homes. I told Amy before we left that we were going to have to be somewhat flexible in our camping expectations . . . guess that phase began officially today.
Noticed a tandem outside of the store at the intersection of 96 and 71 this evening. Traci and Mike are headed Westbound to Florence, Oregon. Was great chatting with them and they filled me on their trip so far & some of the devastation from flooding that I should expect in Eastern Kansas. Sounds like they had some wet days back there but managed to essentially stay one step ahead of the worst of it all. Have to say that while I'm looking forward to heading across the heartland - I'm jealous that they're headed West. You guys be safe and have a blast out there!
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