Load time is always a flurry of activity as riders initial the sign in sheet, carry their luggage to the trailer for loading, pump up tires, lube chains, and applying sunscreen before departure. Here you can see Grand Mesa in the background.The temperature was low 60’s with blue skies at time of departure. Again It was quite hot by ride completion today, although I didn’t feel it so much until the last 15 miles. Today my bike computer reached 108 degrees, so I’m guessing there may be a 10 degree higher reading on the bike computer to the actual air temperature.
Today we followed RT. 50 from Grand Junction to Montrose. The scenery was nice leaving Grand Junction as we followed a bike path along the Colorado river for the first 12 miles.
Grand Junction is so named because it is the merge point of the Colorado River and the Gunnison River. The Colorado River was originally called the Grand by the Indian natives of the area.
Today was supposed to be a recovery day but many of the riders felt like it was still a difficult day. Even though it was difficult, the temperature was slightly cooler and the mileage less.
Tomorrow we ride to Gunnison. It is projected to be cooler with awesome scenery, only 63 miles, but increasing elevation. Our route is now taking us into the Rocky mountains. The day after tomorrow will will ride over Monarch Pass, the highest elevation we will do on the trip. Scenery should be spectacular.
The two flat tires I have gotten both have been as a result of very thin wire maybe a ¼ in long or less puncturing my tire and then working it’s way into the tube. In both cases the tire lost pressure gradually. As I said earlier there is a tremendous amount of debris on the road shoulder, mainly on the highways frequented by trucks.
4 comments:
Jay, it sounds like you guys are doing a good job of dealing with the heat, even if it does make riding a chore. Also, did you actually hit 65 mph today? or was that your GPS wanting wanting to get to DQ in a hurry.
Do you know if you will have a chance to go down into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison? I really wanted to go there on our RV trip a few years ago, but we had too many time constraints.
Jay. Thanks for the photo of loading up the sag trailer at the start of the ride. The logistics of a cross-country bike trip are interesting. Montrose is the location of Al Ardione's Bike Shop. Uncle Al writes an interesting and informative column on bicycles for RoadBikeRider.com. At the Tuesday Hanover ride last night Dee and I mentioned how much we are enjoying reading your blog. Keep pedalling. //Ron
Jim, 65 mph is faulty info. We did have an op to go to Black Canyon from Montrose, but frankly I was beat at the end of the day and the nap option won out.
Ron, Thanks for the info. I did stop at a bie shop in Montrose and make a purchase. It was Cascades Bicycles.It's good to know folks from RABA are intersted
Hi Jay. I know the roads you are on fairly well. We used to drive from Lake City, where I lived, to Gunnison, Montrose and Grand Junction quite often. I have a friend who lives in Delta. The camp I worked at is outside of Lake City about 10 miles. It's called Camp Redcloud. Anyway, Monarch Pass will be a whopper, but the ride down into Salida will be great. Stay safe!
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