Day 19: Colorado Springs CO to Ouray CO. 440 miles (712km). The Gods have smiled on us and the sky is clear. We breakfast and clutch out at 7.45 am to reach the starting point at 8.00am for the ride to the top of Pikes Peak which rises 14110ft above Colorado Springs, I believe it is the second highest peak in Colorado. Whilst it is sunny at the bottom the top is foggy and cold I didn’t waste any time at the top as being foggy there wasn’t much to see. Its 20 miles up and 20 miles back and there is some magnificent scenery for those not affected by vertigo. Pikes Peak is a demanding ride especially those with vertigo however; even the view from the 2 mile marker climb is spectacular over Colorado Springs so imagine the view from the top if you can? Some days ago a tour operator at breakfast told us that the Rocky Mountain area of Colorado is 5 times bigger than Switzerland, sort of puts things into perspective doesn’t it? We ride on for lunch in Buena Vista and then tackle Independence Pass at 12095ft and top of the Continental Divide. Down again over challenging roads and then through Aspen where the beautiful people live in summer and winter. Today it was crowded and slow moving traffic, we were pleased to clear the place. Last year we rode along a canyon rim and Frank almost collected a deer which was grazing on the road. Today we did the reverse of the same road with Alan leading, me right behind and the others about ½ mile behind. Well who should jump from the wilderness but a HUGE black bear just 12 ft in front of Alan at speed, it was leaping across the road from wilderness one side to wilderness the other. I could see the bear in leaping making the HD and Alan look small, it was huge and my immediate thought was what do I do if it stops, no worries it kept going and the hairs on the back of my neck were standing, awesome! Alan and I stopped to compare notes and then the others caught up to hear our story. Undeterred we ride on through some new roads Alan has discovered for our pleasure, all hard and challenging riding. We arrive at Ouray around 6.15 for the evening tired but appreciative of a great days riding experience. Au revoir for now. Regards, Denis
Posted on: Sat, 02 Aug 2014 04:21:41 +0000
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