Ride 90 miles, have lunch, climb a big hill to Wolf Creek Summit at 10,550ft summit (at mile 98), another cross of the continental divide, ride downhill for 20 miles to South Fork. That's the short version. It was cool with no headwind for the first 40+, got pretty warm as we got to lower elevations and a headwind kicked in, and the thunder was rumbling at the mountaintops by the time we had lunch... In terms of roads, the shortest path would have been Rt 160 the whole way, but we dipped south to almost New Mexico and turned north again, picking up Rt 160 for the last 2/3 of the ride.
Some people got to do the downhill in pouring rain. Spectacular mountain scenery on the way up with 12K ft peaks all around us and wide rock faces that stairstepped down the sides of the slopes. The narrow valley as we opened onto the plain above South Fork was as pretty as anything on the trip, but the views on the way up were impressive.
Another day, the 4th in a row, of between 110 and 120miles with about 8,000ft of climbing. Body parts falling off all over, more than a couple people taking rest days or opting into a van and out of the rain. Don broke his crank arm, had to ride a loaner bike for the day.... Tom blew out a tire, the tube was in shreds... see, it's not supposed to be wrapped around the hub like this (oops, can't post anything).
Dinner was just down the road at the one dining option, Biggins, good burgers and Andrew the Ozzie has talked them into being open tomorrow night so after our loop ride we can go back for dinner. I'd post pictures if I could get Blogger to post them for me, not sure what is up.
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