Epic Bike Ride Day 20 June 16
Thoughts from Kelly: Happy Father’s Day! Today we were on Marshall Pass, which used to be a railroad line, so it didn’t have any crazy steep grades to climb. The road wound around mountains following multiple creeks. Mark kept finding old rusty railroad spikes and throwing them off to the side of the road so nobody would get a flat tire. I’ve learned to stop and pee whenever there is a bathroom available, so at the top of Marshall Pass we stopped at a bathroom and met two girls who were hiking the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), which is different than the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route we are doing (they do cross paths multiple times, though). They accepted some pudding from us and were excited about it. After chatting for a bit we continued on, ready for the downhill section of Marshall Pass. I was feeling extremely hungry, my supply of foods with carbs was running low, and I was feeling it! We left the mountain road and reached a highway. I drove ahead and found a great deli in Poncha Springs, who thankfully had gluten free buns. While there we met a couple from the UK, who were also hiking the CD. It was great to talk to them while we enjoyed a great meal.
We got to Salida only a few miles later, with lots of time left in the day, so we went to Walmart to resupply my food needs. While we were heading out, a couple on bicycles stopped to talk to us. They were locals enjoying a ride in the area and recommended Absolute Bikes for Mark to get some gear/repairs for his bike. We got there around 5:15, and they jumped on putting some beefier tires on Mark’s bike. We also found some better shoes, then they talked us into getting ahold of the owner, who does bike fittings, in hopes of helping Mark’s right foot slipping off the peddle and hand pain. The owner agreed to come in right away to help Mark out, what an amazing guy! We ended up staying there till after 7 (they closed at 6) and got Mark all set up (after a lot of money spent). We hope these adjustments will help! We also ate at the restaurant next door, and talked to the kids. Even though it was late, we decided to ride out of town a few miles so we could camp in the woods.
Thoughts from Mark: The climb to Marshall Pass was so nice and “easy” it almost felt like cheating! The railroad spikes were an interesting distraction, as they seemed to be every 4-500 feet or so, and were just laying in the roadway. They were about 6 inches long, and some of them still had a pretty good point on one end. I really didn’t want Kelly (or anyone else) running over one of them, and getting a flat tire. Even though it was a momentum killer to have to stop, bend over, pick them up, and then chuck them off to the side of the road, it was better than having to wait for a tow truck. At the top of Marshall Pass we met the two hikers (probably late teens or early twenties), who were hiking the CDT. I can’t imagine having the “stones” at that age to take on something so difficult (and rewarding). They asked lots of questions about our ride, and we asked about their hike. It was fun to compare notes on the similarities, and differences, in the modes of transportation. They were very smart, and when asked their names, replied “Big Cat” and “Bus Driver.” Excellent decision on their end for safety, even though Kelly and I posed no threat whatsoever.
The descent from Marshall Pass went through some beautiful Aspen trees, and really felt fantastic. Once near the bottom, we hit pavement, and the descent into Poncha Springs was extremely steep and fast. I looked down at one point, and was zipping along at over 40mph. This scared me a bit, and I used the brakes a bit more than I had been. As Kelly mentioned, there was a great deli in Poncha Springs, and I had fries covered in cheese and green chile, along with a cheesesteak. After running into the biking couple at Walmart, we went to Absolute Bike Shop, where the staff took amazing care of us, and they even called the owner in (after the shop was supposed to be closed). He took a bunch of different measurements and tests, and eventually I had a new seat, new tires, new shoes, and new pedals. We had a great meal next door (we even sat on the patio near a river, and watched very brave people attempt to kayak the rapids). We briefly talked on the phone with the kids, and then decided to ride a few miles out of town to camp. It was after sunset, but Kelly was able to follow directly behind me, and with the help of the high beams from the truck, we were able to make it a few miles out of Salida, climbing the whole way.
Miles for the day: 46.18 Feet climbed today: 3,133
Total miles ridden: 891.84 Total feet climbed: 60,190