tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73005020147286545142024-03-05T03:01:07.290-08:00The LongbikeAsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.comBlogger125125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-24912349102787572572019-06-20T10:56:00.001-07:002019-06-20T10:56:20.837-07:00EpilogueSeven years.<br />
<br />
A long time to leave something unfinished, though I suppose the Longbike will never really be finished. I still have the frame of my Jamis Aurora, dented along the top tube and slightly tweaked out of alignment. Its officially totalled, though that didn't stop me from putting a new rear wheel on it and riding it around for a while. It never felt quite right again, so now its gathering dust until the day that I resurrect it as a beater grocery getter, or cut it up to use the steel for some project.<br />
<br />
My recovery went well, though recovery took several months. I still have a nice set of scars on my left side, and a couple of my ribs are permanently tweaked forward, but other than that I've had no lasting consequences of note.<br />
<br />
I got lucky. If the driver had been a few inches further to the right, I'd have been smashed by the body of the truck instead of just catching a glancing blow from the bumper and taking the passenger mirror off with by back. I'd probably have been crippled, if not simply killed outright.<br />
<br />
But I got lucky, becoming one of the 40,000+ cyclists injured per year in traffic accidents, instead of one of the 700+ fatalities.<br />
<br />
Life moved on. I recovered, worked for a while at Coldwater Gardens before taking a road trip around the Northeast in Summer 2013. Moved to DC in October 2013 and worked as a temp for a few months. Got a job offer in the UK with Turtle Rattle Learning and began work there in January 2014. Spent the next four years traveling between Portsmouth and Pensacola while working on the Royal Navy's Engineering Technician training redesign. Went through three separate bikes while in the UK, ending up with a purple glitter dreams Surly Straggler which has already been on a few tours around the Isle of Wight, many rides across London, a tour through the New Forest and a few trips across the Devon countryside. Its a pretty great bike, and a worthy successor to the Aurora.<br />
<br />
I fell in love in England, and when the project ended in November 2017 Hannah and I decided to marry and spend some years together in the US. We married in April of this year, and are now traveling around the US in a 38 foot long converted school bus called, naturally, The Longbus. We'll be traveling for a while, at least until Thanksgiving of this year if everything goes to plan. We are sporadically documenting our travels on our website, <a href="https://furak.xyz/">Furak.xyz</a> and on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thelongbus/">@thelongbus.</a><br />
<br />
I've been asked on more than one occasion if I'd take the Longbike again, given everything that happened. I absolutely would. It was an adventure in the true sense of the word. I saw places and met people I'd never have otherwise seen or met, and did so in a way and at a pace which was conducive to finding the unfiltered nature of a place and its people. As far as adventures go, I couldn't really ask for more.<br />
<br />
<br />Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-63563208505885783732012-10-12T15:26:00.001-07:002012-10-12T15:26:07.813-07:00I've still got my massive backlog of pictures and stories to tell, but my laptop was destroyed in the accident so it might be a while before I can update.Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-76260506033934405132012-10-12T15:25:00.001-07:002012-10-12T15:25:03.305-07:00So, I was hit by a truck yesterday while traveling south on rt 1. I'm ok other than a few sutures and plenty of bruises, but this is the end of the Longbike.Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-23584951324137998052012-10-10T18:17:00.001-07:002012-10-10T18:17:35.099-07:0080 miles today. I'm halfway to Raleigh, and should arrive there sometime on Friday evening at the current rate. Knee is still hurting, but not too much.Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-24580318801543742782012-10-09T15:36:00.001-07:002012-10-09T15:36:10.948-07:0066 miles on my first day out of DC. Wanted to make 90 miles, but my right knee is bothering me for some reason and I don't want to push it too hard.Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-88795320693696962422012-10-09T13:39:00.001-07:002012-10-09T13:39:57.863-07:00Here's a name for a restaurant: Fukien Gourmet. This is followed closely by "lunch buffet"Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-69764658407803298962012-10-09T05:51:00.001-07:002012-10-09T05:51:19.044-07:00Off towards the southlands. Next stop: Raleigh.Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-74496896885873327082012-09-17T18:14:00.001-07:002012-09-17T18:14:03.055-07:00Apparently bus-internet is a gimmick and doesn't really work that well (at all), which is a shame, because I've so many pictures to post and stories to tell.Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-65035722600177294942012-09-17T14:33:00.001-07:002012-09-17T14:33:06.386-07:00En-route to DC via bus! I've got a 10 hour layover in NYC, so I won't be arriving until approximately 1 PM tomorrow.Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-63809437633794620962012-09-17T06:32:00.001-07:002012-09-17T06:32:39.283-07:00Bus ride from Boston to DC booked. I've got a 12 hour layover in DC, but hey, I'll have internet! (which means I can upload a mess of pictures to the blog)Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-17993754049526941562012-09-11T09:36:00.001-07:002012-09-11T09:36:40.262-07:00Underway from Grand Junction at last! This train haven't wifi, so it looks like blog updates will have to wait a few days more, at least for pictures.Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-73105449017373600832012-09-10T11:56:00.001-07:002012-09-10T11:56:03.932-07:00Colona to Grand Junction: 74.5 miles in 4:11 for an average of 17.7 mph. Its good to be devouring miles again.Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-91654661473140981232012-08-26T15:49:00.001-07:002012-08-26T15:49:29.998-07:00Climber Mt. Sneffels today. Its my first fourteener!Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-69645726015476563292012-08-21T11:36:00.001-07:002012-08-21T11:36:10.866-07:00Just watched the Pro Cycling Challenge crest Cerro Summit. A great change of pace from picking vegetables!Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-36907014978864647882012-08-10T15:56:00.001-07:002012-08-10T15:56:16.317-07:00Buckhorn Gardens going-ons (abbreviated)Well, I'm at the end of a busy week at Buckhorn Gardens. I've mowed, and I've harvested, and I've cleaned veggies pretty much all day every day. In addition, Farm Camp was this week, so I got to help out with a passel of rambunctious 7-10 year-olds. Today we made ice cream and mulched rows with hay, and I introduced the kids to the fun of making hay forts and tunnels!<br />
<br />
I'm currently exhausted, filthy, itchy, and thoroughly enjoying myself. I'd post pictures, but my camera cable is currently a couple of miles away, so those will have to wait for another post.<br />
<br />
Looking forward to the weekend, during which I intend to sleep, sleep some more, cook, clean my stuff, and possibly (but only possibly) climb Buckhorn Mountain and Storm King back behind the ranch.Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-3389576828025986862012-08-05T17:05:00.001-07:002012-08-05T17:05:47.226-07:00Stories from the road: Grandfield, OK<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I rode into Grandfield as the sun was slipping towards the
horizon. A straight line demarcated the border between town and not-town.
Inside that border, trees and buildings cast long shadows; a thing I hadn’t
seen much of for the last several hours while crossing miles of open farm
fields.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was hungry and low on supplies. My last planned stop,
Randlett, turned out to be little more than a ghost town amid dried up fields,
so I was glad for the chance to pick up dinner and supplies at the general
store before riding on into the evening in search of a campsite. The periphery
of town consisted largely of crumbling, boarded up buildings and abandoned
equipment. I rode past cheap apartment buildings and an old man on a bike
making his slow way over to the next neighborhood. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The general store had little in the way of variety and
nothing in the way of fresh fruits and vegetables, so I purchased a half gallon
of ShurFine vegetable juice, a packet of jerky, and three slices of supreme
pizza from the heated oven at the counter, then rested at a table in the front
of the store as I ate. As I finished eating, an old man asked me if the bike
out front was mine. I told him it was, and he asked me where I was going,
expressing customary disbelief when I told him where I was and where I was
going. We talked for a short while in front of the store, and then I rode on. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few hundred yards from the edge of town, I came upon a
young woman walking down a side street. As I rode past her she called out to me
“Hey!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I turned and pulled into the side street. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hey, you know where Sheldon is?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I, riding a fully loaded touring bike, filthy from days on
the road, and clearly on my way out of town said: “Umm, no…. I’m not from
around here.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She, slowly processed this, and regarded me with
heavy-lidded eyes. “Oh, well I thought you looked like his cousin.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Nope, I’m from Florida. Riding from Florida to Colorado.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“On that bike?!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yep.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Dude, that’s pretty cool.” A short pause, during which she
swayed uncertainly. “Hey, do you smoke weed?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I opened my mouth to reply, a blue Chevrolet Aveo whipped
off of 70 and onto the side street, tires crunching on gravelly pavement. A guy
perhaps in his early 20’s, slightly heavyset with strong Native American
features leaned out of the window and sharply addressed the girl.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hey, why weren’t you at the store? You said you’d go to the
store then come back home! Why are you out walking around here?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m taking a walk, like I said I would!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She replied, her voice rising. “I needed to
clear my head; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>get out of the house!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yeah, well, you been gone for a long time, and you left the
babies at home. They need you!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You take care of them for a while!” She spat back. “I said
I needed to get out of the house for a while!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He turned and regarded me for the first time, suspicion
written on his face. “Who is this?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’s riding his bike across the country. I thought he
looked like Sheldon’s cousin so I called him over and we been talking about-”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” He cut in. He threw the car in
gear and began to turn around.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where you goin?!” The girl asked, her voice rising into a
panicky whine. “Where you goin?!” Again. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m taking the babies to Grandma’s. At least she’ll look
after them. Not like you ever take care of ‘em anyways.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He sped off. She turned, suddenly seeming to realize that I
was still there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Uh, I… I have to go,”
she said, her eyes wide for the first time. She turned and began walking
rapidly away, down the gravelly street and back into the neighborhood. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hope you have a good evening,” I called after her sadly.
“Hope you have a good life,” I added in my mind. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I swung my bike around and headed west, gaining speed as I
neared the edge of town, blowing past the invisible barrier separating town
from empty fields, leaving the shadows of trees and houses and rusting
warehouses behind. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few miles later, I stopped and turned around to regard the
town. From distance, it looked like a smear of trees and houses sandwiched
between endless plain and sky, walled in by the emptiness around it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I stood there for some time, watching a car leave town and
make its slow way towards me. As it neared, it slowed down, coming to a stop in
the middle of the road beside me. The passenger window rolled down to reveal
two girls, who wanted to know if I was stranded, if I needed to use a cell
phone to call for help. I smiled, replied that I was fine and thanked them for
stopping. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They drove off. I watched the town a while longer before I
too, turned and rode towards the vanishing sun. <br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</div>Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-30743407553046992342012-08-03T12:20:00.000-07:002012-08-03T12:20:20.984-07:00Thelongbike gets an itineraryI just checked train fares from Grand Junction, CO to Washington, DC. Looks like it will cost about $230 and take around 48 hours to get me and my bike over halfway across the country. New trip plan: Work and live at Buckhorn Mtn. Gardens with Jeremy for the next month and a half or so, with frequent trips and mini-tours to explore the surrounding areas. Then onwards to DC, where I'll visit friends and family and see the sights for a few weeks before touring the 1100 miles back to Pensacola FL. If I time it right, I might even be able to chase the fall colors back home!Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-15912426520715162822012-08-03T10:27:00.001-07:002012-08-03T10:27:38.683-07:00Walking through downtown Ridgway when a man on a horse rode up. "You like drinks?" he asked. "Sure" I said. He gave me a voucher to a distillery and rode on.Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-336111104980449292012-08-01T06:09:00.001-07:002012-08-01T06:09:55.855-07:00I don't have internet access at the ranch, and won't be traveling much for the coming week, so updates will be limited.Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-67861427175280045202012-08-01T06:08:00.001-07:002012-08-01T06:08:56.959-07:00I suppose that I should post something about my whereabouts: I'm currently staying at Buckhorn Mtn Ranch with Jeremy Kester.Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-40702007050407843872012-07-30T16:34:00.002-07:002012-07-30T16:34:12.429-07:00Salida to MontroseIts picture time! I don't have a whole lot of time to write up a narrative, but I do have a lot of pictures to share from the last few days.<br />
<br />
After spending the better part of the day in Salida, I restocked on supplies and headed west on 50. It was late by the time I left town, so I opted out from a ride over a pass and dinner with Bobi and friends/family in favor of riding a few miles and a campsite by the south fork of the Arkansas. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FvmSvKZvsek/UBcSL_R8W0I/AAAAAAAAAm8/rOjWYKWJHJw/s1600/DSCN0529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FvmSvKZvsek/UBcSL_R8W0I/AAAAAAAAAm8/rOjWYKWJHJw/s320/DSCN0529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from my campsite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW331WRhKd-R_jgjoKBC6gqNu_g7BwBUBbyp8q4gTUWYoWeYCRM1rPrULJVTzWmrUVBqRUgc4763ahXE9f0XMZd3sX4uFhipZGl4OpVkKbMfN8RQRynERK-2aQiqHizZ47vp0BpHoRU_8/s1600/DSCN0531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW331WRhKd-R_jgjoKBC6gqNu_g7BwBUBbyp8q4gTUWYoWeYCRM1rPrULJVTzWmrUVBqRUgc4763ahXE9f0XMZd3sX4uFhipZGl4OpVkKbMfN8RQRynERK-2aQiqHizZ47vp0BpHoRU_8/s320/DSCN0531.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The campsite of dreams</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CEtIDRJZznU/UBcSQQO6POI/AAAAAAAAAnM/hyM1lJDpQSQ/s1600/DSCN0533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CEtIDRJZznU/UBcSQQO6POI/AAAAAAAAAnM/hyM1lJDpQSQ/s320/DSCN0533.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6 miles at 6% grade- you do the math</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHgTkRy4VWg/UBcSTf1y-PI/AAAAAAAAAnU/7D1Vpdk0rSg/s1600/DSCN0540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHgTkRy4VWg/UBcSTf1y-PI/AAAAAAAAAnU/7D1Vpdk0rSg/s320/DSCN0540.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I passed a mining district on my way up- it was huge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyN9rJ5SyFKK5LesW_jzoftBGrMiSVmvllOMDBEpB9PJgrR2WhkUwL4GusWYl67kwCEhPazWIzfRcHY3ZmR8OGVhAPJ4muX2UzHu1o6qKeCh9Xmp1_vZfKrFmI7TxqJa6D3Nel09Di6I/s1600/DSCN0559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyN9rJ5SyFKK5LesW_jzoftBGrMiSVmvllOMDBEpB9PJgrR2WhkUwL4GusWYl67kwCEhPazWIzfRcHY3ZmR8OGVhAPJ4muX2UzHu1o6qKeCh9Xmp1_vZfKrFmI7TxqJa6D3Nel09Di6I/s320/DSCN0559.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As I gained elevation, the plant life changed dramatically</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wWwvaMMH0Qk/UBcSaIiFzRI/AAAAAAAAAnk/CnS1Kf1NiR4/s1600/DSCN0571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wWwvaMMH0Qk/UBcSaIiFzRI/AAAAAAAAAnk/CnS1Kf1NiR4/s320/DSCN0571.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moss blanketed everything about 10,000 feet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JtK39u_MRBc/UBcSbYVj1JI/AAAAAAAAAns/gFnqvDWPcSE/s1600/DSCN0581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JtK39u_MRBc/UBcSbYVj1JI/AAAAAAAAAns/gFnqvDWPcSE/s320/DSCN0581.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's a thing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzTINeewkOLrI51cn8PB-AnSV2OBGydhwIPI4Uw39VsSv5BWXg5v3teDdN8c833_NnxO-1Ykf8tMZ4OvWDq_0AymJle93M8ooaT6Q9TRvl8oye2vDrx6WPkBlQSGgNxD9CLCJt0v5JSM/s1600/DSCN0590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzTINeewkOLrI51cn8PB-AnSV2OBGydhwIPI4Uw39VsSv5BWXg5v3teDdN8c833_NnxO-1Ykf8tMZ4OvWDq_0AymJle93M8ooaT6Q9TRvl8oye2vDrx6WPkBlQSGgNxD9CLCJt0v5JSM/s320/DSCN0590.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got myself an ice cream cone to celebrate</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OiDioP0oBzo/UBcSg1ydhII/AAAAAAAAAoE/N9YYA5Uw_5A/s1600/DSCN0591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OiDioP0oBzo/UBcSg1ydhII/AAAAAAAAAoE/N9YYA5Uw_5A/s320/DSCN0591.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My bike got another sticker</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFLxgKjYohBhcost6OrwidbN3gwA9PFChl7fWvHmA-TAy92adGcoqiyXrGdaHH3NU0ULwVM1ca8CLh7av3tXDnlOrvTVwQA6B688kIgHwziJpxNXh2y-5j_3PxkWRsfj_Nqn0GEZw8gk/s1600/DSCN0586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFLxgKjYohBhcost6OrwidbN3gwA9PFChl7fWvHmA-TAy92adGcoqiyXrGdaHH3NU0ULwVM1ca8CLh7av3tXDnlOrvTVwQA6B688kIgHwziJpxNXh2y-5j_3PxkWRsfj_Nqn0GEZw8gk/s320/DSCN0586.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking East</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K4fbFnX71z8/UBcScwv957I/AAAAAAAAAn0/Qt7-TGkMZ-4/s1600/DSCN0585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K4fbFnX71z8/UBcScwv957I/AAAAAAAAAn0/Qt7-TGkMZ-4/s320/DSCN0585.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking West</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1yKbFHIY-3Q/UBcSkW13luI/AAAAAAAAAoU/Fgg5iTsH4Cc/s1600/DSCN0605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
I don't have any pictures of the descent- for obvious reasons. It was fun though- an effortless 30-38 mph for approximately 8 miles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1yKbFHIY-3Q/UBcSkW13luI/AAAAAAAAAoU/Fgg5iTsH4Cc/s1600/DSCN0605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1yKbFHIY-3Q/UBcSkW13luI/AAAAAAAAAoU/Fgg5iTsH4Cc/s320/DSCN0605.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The land smoothed out, though the elevation was still near 8000 feet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ASYzJbZfGUc/UBcSlQksxFI/AAAAAAAAAoc/qhPSFcWnNek/s1600/DSCN0606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ASYzJbZfGUc/UBcSlQksxFI/AAAAAAAAAoc/qhPSFcWnNek/s320/DSCN0606.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thunderstorms were to the right and left of me, though luckily I managed to avoid them</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oEmeU7aDjsc/UBcSozwu_7I/AAAAAAAAAos/ca0sp8hc-Gk/s1600/DSCN0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oEmeU7aDjsc/UBcSozwu_7I/AAAAAAAAAos/ca0sp8hc-Gk/s320/DSCN0614.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two red foxes were playing near this pen. Only one is visible in this photo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-45RS1taN5O4/UBcSqQCdjoI/AAAAAAAAAo0/L7vXLMAp_0o/s1600/DSCN0617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-45RS1taN5O4/UBcSqQCdjoI/AAAAAAAAAo0/L7vXLMAp_0o/s320/DSCN0617.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gunnison!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOQgmxcT0YA/UBcSsrYxr5I/AAAAAAAAAo8/Fh5PO4mkvAk/s1600/DSCN0619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOQgmxcT0YA/UBcSsrYxr5I/AAAAAAAAAo8/Fh5PO4mkvAk/s320/DSCN0619.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A band was playing in the public park- I listened for a few songs before heading on</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QImXeMq34d4/UBcStpGwDhI/AAAAAAAAApE/0h1NXuvfs4Y/s1600/DSCN0626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QImXeMq34d4/UBcStpGwDhI/AAAAAAAAApE/0h1NXuvfs4Y/s320/DSCN0626.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I camped in the bed of a partially dried out reservoir </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DPEP977Q88E/UBcSvfVcMUI/AAAAAAAAApM/3nspF5Ybswk/s1600/DSCN0637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DPEP977Q88E/UBcSvfVcMUI/AAAAAAAAApM/3nspF5Ybswk/s320/DSCN0637.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think it was about 25 feet below full</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQWlLTb9Mww/UBcSw1oY_vI/AAAAAAAAApU/7sh5BMfgPtQ/s1600/DSCN0643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQWlLTb9Mww/UBcSw1oY_vI/AAAAAAAAApU/7sh5BMfgPtQ/s320/DSCN0643.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wish I could do the landscape justice in photographs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b5aKwwoyfyQ/UBcSxh-2mpI/AAAAAAAAApc/rx6nMpLe_v4/s1600/DSCN0653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b5aKwwoyfyQ/UBcSxh-2mpI/AAAAAAAAApc/rx6nMpLe_v4/s320/DSCN0653.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I LOVE these signs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6_nR-jfukwc/UBcSzyWtuNI/AAAAAAAAApk/HyKMXq4SHWg/s1600/DSCN0655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6_nR-jfukwc/UBcSzyWtuNI/AAAAAAAAApk/HyKMXq4SHWg/s320/DSCN0655.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I rested for a while at the top of one climb</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qvax-RflFYQ/UBcS0Zm5caI/AAAAAAAAAps/FLVMLOeRI2s/s1600/DSCN0658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qvax-RflFYQ/UBcS0Zm5caI/AAAAAAAAAps/FLVMLOeRI2s/s320/DSCN0658.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... and shortly arrived at another</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OqzmnCWI_yM/UBcS2K7eZiI/AAAAAAAAAp0/XONejadzrrc/s1600/DSCN0667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OqzmnCWI_yM/UBcS2K7eZiI/AAAAAAAAAp0/XONejadzrrc/s320/DSCN0667.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montrose!</td></tr>
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I'm now sitting in the Horsefly Brewing Company. They have $1 tacos on Mondays, so I'm availing myself of that special and having a couple of beers in the process. Jeremy Kester and a friend of his are riding into town as I write this, and I'll ride back with them to the farm where Jeremy works. Once there, I'll rest up and work around the farm until I figure out what I'm doing and where I'm going next.Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-39311508395955996072012-07-29T15:51:00.001-07:002012-07-29T15:51:39.890-07:002000 miles and an 11312 foot pass in one day! I've crossed the divide, and its (mostly) downhill to Montrose from here.Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-30033752482698945342012-07-28T14:41:00.003-07:002012-07-28T14:41:21.263-07:00Colorado- it beginsOnce again, its been a long time since a proper blog update. I've many stories to tell from the road in Oklahoma and Kansas, but they will have to wait. Why? Because I am in Colorado, and I'm more fascinated by and excited about mountains than anything else so far on this trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DOMjH9hjSuQ/UBRLK8dDcbI/AAAAAAAAAmA/gCz0r6orRG4/s1600/DSCN0434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DOMjH9hjSuQ/UBRLK8dDcbI/AAAAAAAAAmA/gCz0r6orRG4/s320/DSCN0434.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It begins- 7/24/12</td></tr>
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I'm taking hwy 50 pretty much all the way across CO, and it follows the Arkansas river closely, especially as it gets closer to the mountains. In wetter times, the river is apparently prone to flooding, so the little towns along the plains have levees to keep the river off main street. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UH2HUyNSo4Y/UBRLGaOmyEI/AAAAAAAAAlo/OxqoYXd75ws/s1600/DSCN0442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UH2HUyNSo4Y/UBRLGaOmyEI/AAAAAAAAAlo/OxqoYXd75ws/s320/DSCN0442.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Levees at 5000 feet. As for the spiky things, I have no idea</td></tr>
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The river is almost entirely dry near the Kansas border, so I slept one night in the riverbed between the highway and the train tracks. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cro0sN_JrE8/UBRLEudMKfI/AAAAAAAAAlg/WihHXPTMt3E/s1600/DSCN0438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cro0sN_JrE8/UBRLEudMKfI/AAAAAAAAAlg/WihHXPTMt3E/s320/DSCN0438.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JhhEiH4a85I/UBRLBkUwokI/AAAAAAAAAlY/fGDrSqO1BOg/s1600/DSCN0437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JhhEiH4a85I/UBRLBkUwokI/AAAAAAAAAlY/fGDrSqO1BOg/s320/DSCN0437.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The river has so little flow at this point that it couldn't float a kayak</td></tr>
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As I neared the mountains, I began to see cumulus clouds again. For most of my ride through Oklahoma and Kansas, the skies were clear. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dCIW_INUAD4/UBRK9txSKuI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/j_rGd8l3Bm0/s1600/DSCN0477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dCIW_INUAD4/UBRK9txSKuI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/j_rGd8l3Bm0/s320/DSCN0477.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weather! These storms put on a good lightning show one night</td></tr>
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I'd originally intended to stay in the Pueblo area for a day to rest up, but upon examining a topo map, I saw that major climbs would not occur until after Salida, almost 100 miles further along the road. So I passed through Pueblo in 30 minutes and didn't look back.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9MZyid9ryW0/UBRK7wm3iPI/AAAAAAAAAk4/Ht2pr2Hp_yY/s1600/DSCN0466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9MZyid9ryW0/UBRK7wm3iPI/AAAAAAAAAk4/Ht2pr2Hp_yY/s320/DSCN0466.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what I saw of Pueblo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MLfyrvvWg34/UBRK8XCNXCI/AAAAAAAAAlA/ZaXmxzW506I/s1600/DSCN0474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MLfyrvvWg34/UBRK8XCNXCI/AAAAAAAAAlA/ZaXmxzW506I/s320/DSCN0474.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this is what I saw leaving Pueblo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0XCg_3NqCzQ/UBRK9Gh72kI/AAAAAAAAAlI/IdnxLoSgEBI/s1600/DSCN0475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0XCg_3NqCzQ/UBRK9Gh72kI/AAAAAAAAAlI/IdnxLoSgEBI/s320/DSCN0475.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mountains rise abruptly from the plains</td></tr>
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There aren't many good places to camp on the plains, so I ended up riding a little farther than I'd intended that day- 111 miles took me all the way to Canon city, where I camped in a creek bottom on the edge of town.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5xIlPfVy0lM/UBRKx4DrcuI/AAAAAAAAAjw/fflvJpppQ90/s1600/DSCN0478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5xIlPfVy0lM/UBRKx4DrcuI/AAAAAAAAAjw/fflvJpppQ90/s320/DSCN0478.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This wasn't nearly as secluded as the picture suggests- I had a clear view of 50 from my hammock</td></tr>
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Canon City is pretty much the gateway to the mountains- I left town and immediately began climbing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7xuyPfsdEw/UBRUXfgX73I/AAAAAAAAAmQ/V0miWlCiPns/s1600/DSCN0479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7xuyPfsdEw/UBRUXfgX73I/AAAAAAAAAmQ/V0miWlCiPns/s320/DSCN0479.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown Canon City</td></tr>
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Unlike most rivers, the Arkansas gets bigger as one goes upstream. All through the mountains the river is large enough to support a whitewater rafting industry- I lost count of the vendors I passed as I rode West on 50.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9nRX_FMIfEg/UBRVl5AIXnI/AAAAAAAAAmg/pkDLIN2ENdU/s1600/DSCN0492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9nRX_FMIfEg/UBRVl5AIXnI/AAAAAAAAAmg/pkDLIN2ENdU/s320/DSCN0492.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Following the Arkansas River into the mountains</td></tr>
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<br />I encountered my first rainstorm in over 1000 miles as I rode up 50. It was cold- I rapidly became chilled and my knees began to hurt, so I pulled over and rested at a little country store in Cotopaxi. The girls who ran the place let me warm up over the grill and rest there while waiting for the rain to let up. Two cups of coffee and a hamburger later, the rain was mostly done and I resumed my journey.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-61RnL7F9Q3U/UBRK1xgtI6I/AAAAAAAAAkI/dgDklFXJAQA/s1600/DSCN0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-61RnL7F9Q3U/UBRK1xgtI6I/AAAAAAAAAkI/dgDklFXJAQA/s320/DSCN0497.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain at 6000 feet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BQhPSG-bbD0/UBRK08AA6OI/AAAAAAAAAkA/t3QpRJyO9p0/s1600/DSCN0496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BQhPSG-bbD0/UBRK08AA6OI/AAAAAAAAAkA/t3QpRJyO9p0/s320/DSCN0496.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Safe haven from the storm</td></tr>
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Some miles later, I encountered a first on my journey: I was refused water! I stopped at a little general store and asked if I could fill my water bottles, only to be told that there were no taps I could use. I asked if I could fill them in the bathroom and was told "we don't have a public bathroom". At some point it became clear that the lady wasn't going to let me have water no matter how nicely I asked, so I rode a couple of miles on to the next store to get my water. Anyway, if you are ever driving along 50, be sure to give this place my regards. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DOXztkIzTkM/UBRK2dF8z8I/AAAAAAAAAkQ/mrj-5MI-RYk/s1600/DSCN0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DOXztkIzTkM/UBRK2dF8z8I/AAAAAAAAAkQ/mrj-5MI-RYk/s320/DSCN0500.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here be the inconsiderate</td></tr>
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I didn't quite make it from Canon City to Salida in one day- my knees were hurting and I was tired, so I camped on BLM land about six miles outside of town.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nrU_hd6567s/UBRK4VwyadI/AAAAAAAAAkg/A8x3MlcwGRU/s1600/DSCN0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nrU_hd6567s/UBRK4VwyadI/AAAAAAAAAkg/A8x3MlcwGRU/s320/DSCN0506.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About 200 yards upslope from 50</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAu1Mr6aWdmYYVtG1CoW12VD2Niqr5QePtX2xdO3_BRFfmWKBq58rs35RScBbEc-TU6a3PfNB5mcnF6hjT_XsaQNhRPpyz3U-kvRuV-8T48cNKHNn1SJyiYZEPhrApIjXZTWmHiaKnjo/s1600/DSCN0504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAu1Mr6aWdmYYVtG1CoW12VD2Niqr5QePtX2xdO3_BRFfmWKBq58rs35RScBbEc-TU6a3PfNB5mcnF6hjT_XsaQNhRPpyz3U-kvRuV-8T48cNKHNn1SJyiYZEPhrApIjXZTWmHiaKnjo/s320/DSCN0504.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know that slope doesn't translate well into photos, but that was STEEP</td></tr>
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Today I rode into Salida, and I might be a little bit in love with the place. Half the downtown is closed off for a bike race, everyone is either riding bikes, walking, or roller blading, and the downtown park is gorgeous.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHkFFXR9Xjw/UBRIJW9SSdI/AAAAAAAAAiw/c9M8oNdbsiw/s1600/DSCN0510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHkFFXR9Xjw/UBRIJW9SSdI/AAAAAAAAAiw/c9M8oNdbsiw/s320/DSCN0510.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I agree with the sign</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ihzFumSLZ6Y/UBRKpIzNUDI/AAAAAAAAAi8/B82_iI4fI1g/s1600/DSCN0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ihzFumSLZ6Y/UBRKpIzNUDI/AAAAAAAAAi8/B82_iI4fI1g/s320/DSCN0512.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possibly my new favorite town</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EOoMhtEOLVw/UBRKtqIilyI/AAAAAAAAAjY/-e9l0vaNKFU/s1600/DSCN0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EOoMhtEOLVw/UBRKtqIilyI/AAAAAAAAAjY/-e9l0vaNKFU/s320/DSCN0514.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I stood on the riverbank to take this photo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iGIKe8afeqY/UBRKrR51PpI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/waoR8vzXYqE/s1600/DSCN0517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iGIKe8afeqY/UBRKrR51PpI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/waoR8vzXYqE/s320/DSCN0517.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beer and pizza for lunch with a bike race for entertainment</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kk3w0ZXJmd0/UBRKqkWIrhI/AAAAAAAAAjI/XoPI84oXc4s/s1600/DSCN0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kk3w0ZXJmd0/UBRKqkWIrhI/AAAAAAAAAjI/XoPI84oXc4s/s320/DSCN0515.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I finally picked up some hiking shoes</td></tr>
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I'm writing this post from the Salida public library. I met a lady named Bobi at the local bike shop who invited me to join her friends and family for diner up in the mountains later on. I was planning to relax around town, but if I can motivate myself to ride up into the mountains and over a 9000+ foot pass, I may go join them this evening.Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-5490695423005585392012-07-27T01:28:00.001-07:002012-07-27T01:28:41.196-07:00Current location: Ca_on City, elev. 5300 feet. Miles ridden: 111. Physical state: extreme exhaustion. Campsite: some hobo camp in a half burned up creek bottom.Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300502014728654514.post-69559531623626527452012-07-25T19:49:00.001-07:002012-07-25T19:49:21.605-07:00I'm well over 1700 miles as of today and should hit 1800 tomorrow. The plains rise steadily as I ride west- I'm at about 4000 feet right now.Asahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14065603435977475039noreply@blogger.com0