Day 3 saw an earlier start, 4:45am (yes RWGPS is 1 hour off due to time zones) since had a 31 mile climb topping out at mile 100 so I wanted to beat the real heat of the day! Of course it was another Niwot and Hygiene day both out and back! The back through Hygiene was cool this day as I followed a fast boy that had nothing on his bike and was just out riding. He passed me at mile 165.5 and I followed him as we hit over 26 mph and I was so tempted to pass him by with my fully loaded bike, but I chose to sit behind and follow all the way to Hygiene at 168.7. That was fun! Along those 3 miles, I once again caught a volunteer that was out cycling and hollered at her to hook on as we passed her at over 21 mph! Of coure there was no way she could since not enough warning. Her and I were playing leap frog ever since coming back from Ft Collins, around mile 140. Before this was another climb up to - down to - up from Horsetooth Reservoir around mile 45. This time I knew what I was getting into and looked forward to the section. Oh the 31 mile climb up Poudre River! The water was flowing fast and big! Many rafters in 8-10 person rafts. I stopped to take their pictures and just to watch them float the rapids between mile 75.8 and 81. hot It was hot and windy on the climb. The river with shade trees, gave way to narrow canyons with steep walls and no trees, to wider areas with no trees, before I finally reached Rustic the turn around spot at mile 96. Careful here for they charged for ice and water and my nesquik was $11! Yikes. I didn't care. I was tired and wanted to get on down the hill. Mimo and Thai had arrived there after me and I chatted with Mimo a bit, but took off ahead of him. Mimo, Thai and I were sort of together as we got back toward Ft Collins, but I pulled into Safeway to eat and got mashed potatoes/gravy, macaroni salad tubs and 4 chicken tenders. Yum. I took my bike right inside the store and sat in the deli area and ate. This was at mile 138. I would be remiss if I did not note the while lilacs that lined the north side of Drake Rd between mile 54-55 & 137 - 138! Great smells. yes I got to pass them 2x! Back on again through Niwot! And returning to the hotel in the same way as the 2 previous days. This time again it was about 815pm, just around sunset. Greeted again by the usually happy Paul Foley!