My Mom reminded me that when my sister and I were 9 or so we had a family vacation at a Dude Ranch outside Gunnison in one of the canyons. We would tack on family vacations to Dad's business trips back then, and I remember this one as a highlight.
I was horse crazy and the Dude ranch was my idea of heaven - and it meant a trail ride on an actual horse. I remember getting all dressed up complete with boots I think and then being too shy to talk to the cowboy (or probably college kid on a summer job). But the best spending days building a fort by the Gunnison River in front of our cabin.
Grubby and outdoors ... my idea of fun then and now.
Today was spectacular. But we had to work for the reward today.
I was horse crazy and the Dude ranch was my idea of heaven - and it meant a trail ride on an actual horse. I remember getting all dressed up complete with boots I think and then being too shy to talk to the cowboy (or probably college kid on a summer job). But the best spending days building a fort by the Gunnison River in front of our cabin.
Grubby and outdoors ... my idea of fun then and now.
Today was spectacular. But we had to work for the reward today.
We were still riding with the Tour of Colorado folks. We had two significant climbs today - and the first 15 miles - - including most of one of the climbs was in a "put your head down and pedal as hard as possible and be thankful you're making 10 mph on the flats for your efforts" headwind. Trees flapping, grass laying sideways, riders grumbling. But as we eased up the first pass the winds slowly died down, and we passed through terrain that became greener and more lush as we climbed to the first summit at just under 8000 feet.
After a 2 mile gorgeous descent (where we lost almost 1000 feet of that hard won elevation gain) whizzing through mountains and bigger snow capped peaks in the distance, we started the next climb to summit # 2. No wind this time but it was hot. Winding up a little steeper grade to the second summit, riders were definitely feeling it. I even had to crack open the Cliff blocks which I save for emergency fuel to add electrolytes and a little caffeine push. The second summit got us to over 8700 feet. It was glorious at the top. Wildflowers, views and one of the best descents ever. I bet I stopped 3 or 4 times to take photos and just look around. Incredible.
At the end of the descent we passed through a narrow gulch where the red rocks closed in overheads and the river ran strong next to the road. And then ... oops ... a sneak climb switchbacks up and around the side of a mountain out of site. It's one of those where you look up and see riders several hundred feet above you climbing where you will be going soon enough.
OK ... one more climb. Up we go. Now finally around the corner and ... could it possibly be something even better than what we've just ridden through? Yep! ... Blue Mesa Lake - gorgeous and huge and actually blue. Boats are on the water and red rock mountains are rising from the dammed Gunnison River. OK ... stopping a dozen more times for photos and admiring the views ... I can't believe some of these folks are whizzing by without stopping to see what's around them. What's the hurry?
We keep following the damned river/lake and head into Gunnison. Relatively flat and fast. Interesting company on the ride in with Gary from Cleveland in for the Salt Lake Pueblo leg where I talked him into trying the ice bath. We'll see if he's still talking to me tonight. A trip to the local pizza joint for lunch before heading back to the hotel. That pizza was good ... and we're going back tonight for dinner. May have another :) Because I can eat 2 pizzas a day now if I want. Love that.
Tomorrow if a big climb up and over Monarch Pass and then down to Salida. Over 11000 feet ... it will be interesting to see how the altitude impacts climbing. I know the air was thin enough at 8700.
After a 2 mile gorgeous descent (where we lost almost 1000 feet of that hard won elevation gain) whizzing through mountains and bigger snow capped peaks in the distance, we started the next climb to summit # 2. No wind this time but it was hot. Winding up a little steeper grade to the second summit, riders were definitely feeling it. I even had to crack open the Cliff blocks which I save for emergency fuel to add electrolytes and a little caffeine push. The second summit got us to over 8700 feet. It was glorious at the top. Wildflowers, views and one of the best descents ever. I bet I stopped 3 or 4 times to take photos and just look around. Incredible.
At the end of the descent we passed through a narrow gulch where the red rocks closed in overheads and the river ran strong next to the road. And then ... oops ... a sneak climb switchbacks up and around the side of a mountain out of site. It's one of those where you look up and see riders several hundred feet above you climbing where you will be going soon enough.
OK ... one more climb. Up we go. Now finally around the corner and ... could it possibly be something even better than what we've just ridden through? Yep! ... Blue Mesa Lake - gorgeous and huge and actually blue. Boats are on the water and red rock mountains are rising from the dammed Gunnison River. OK ... stopping a dozen more times for photos and admiring the views ... I can't believe some of these folks are whizzing by without stopping to see what's around them. What's the hurry?
We keep following the damned river/lake and head into Gunnison. Relatively flat and fast. Interesting company on the ride in with Gary from Cleveland in for the Salt Lake Pueblo leg where I talked him into trying the ice bath. We'll see if he's still talking to me tonight. A trip to the local pizza joint for lunch before heading back to the hotel. That pizza was good ... and we're going back tonight for dinner. May have another :) Because I can eat 2 pizzas a day now if I want. Love that.
Tomorrow if a big climb up and over Monarch Pass and then down to Salida. Over 11000 feet ... it will be interesting to see how the altitude impacts climbing. I know the air was thin enough at 8700.
