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I slept fantastic the two nights I spent in Salida only about 30 feet from US 50, which was a surprise. The hotel was completely full but I didn't hear a peep out of my neighbors. The sound of the highway was blocked almost entirely by the well insulated room.
I'm glad I took an extra day in Salida. I had plenty of time to swap parts without rushing. Plus it rained most of the day. I replaced my rear tire, which was good timing since my old one wasn't holding air anymore because despite putting 4x the recommended amount of sealant inside before setting off, it has already dried out. So I topped off my front tire with sealant as well. I also replaced my chain, front brake pads, and rear thru axle. I rode over to Oveja Negra and they sold me a nice new handlebar bag despite not really having a retail store. They were super nice. And the bag works fantastic. Love it.
I left town early to get a jump start on the big climb right out of the gate and afternoon storms.
It was clear and cool and I was actually cool enough on the climb that I wore my rain coat for a lot of it. It started out on US 50 for a few miles. It had a 3 foot shoulder and two uphill lanes but I still basically got buzzed by two semis who couldn't be bothered to get over. Always give the full lane to a cyclist when passing if the road is open. It's just courtesy. It's especially jarring when you're climbing at 8mph and 20,000lbs comes blowing by at 60mph 3 feet away... Technically legal but not cool at all. Especially if the road is open.
Thankfully soon I turned off onto Marshall Pass road which was gravel and basically deserted. It was a former railroad grade that in the late 19th century was a crucial link between Denver and Salt Lake City. So it was pleasantly gradual and we'll maintained. I arrived at the top after not much effort, took pictures of the sign, and crossed the Continental Divide, finally in the west.
It was a short descent to Sargents which wasn't much of anything but they had a very nice store. Had a better chocolate selection than Safeway... I actually got some candied Valdosta pecans for a little taste of home. Although the company who makes them is based in Seattle so those pecans have seen more of the country than I have.
A bunch of gradual up and down followed and after I crossed US 50 yet again and turned onto a side road, a woman in a Dodge ram going opposite me waved me down and asked if I was doing the Divide. I told her I was not but in fact was doing the TAT, and she wasn't familiar. Apparently the Great Divide route overlaps with the TAT there and she had just dropped off her friends who were riding it, only a few minutes ago. So I figured I might try to catch them before I turned off their route. I had yet to chat with any other bikepackers on the trip.
Eventually after a few rollers I caught them. I actually saw two other riders going northbound on the divide just before. The two going my way were Alex and Steph, a couple from Boston doing the route southbound with their dog Nina. We rode together for awhile until we had to say our goodbyes as I turned off westbound. So nice meeting y'all and I wish you good luck, cool temperatures and plentiful water on your travels. Thanks for accommodating my chattiness.
The day was splendid with no rain in sight, pleasant temperature and light winds. I had already set my day's goal on getting over Los Pinos pass and camping at a free site down near the bottom of the descent. Sounded pretty easy on paper but the road was really rocky although the climb was gradual. The descent was steep and really rocky then flattened out a bit to lead through more private grazing lands and cabins before emerging into a beautiful canyon with incredible sheer cliffs rising up hundreds of feet on each side of the rushing creek. I rolled up to Spruce Campground and grabbed the first site by the creek. This might be a new winner for best campsite so far. It's a bit high at 9300 feet or so but it's such beautiful scenery all around and the creek and surrounding tall spruce trees really put the rubber stamp on this being the perfect example of a dream campsite. AND it's free. It's got a toilet as well. No RV hookups or trash cans, keeps the riff raff away.
By: | WTR4 |
Started in: | Salida, CO, US |
Distance: | 117.2 mi |
Selected: | 117.2 mi |
Elevation: | + 10067 / - 7858 ft |
Moving Time: | 10:36:10 |
Gear: | 2020 Lynskey GR300 |
Page Views: | 22 |
Departed: | Jul 15, 2021, 6:26 am |
Starts in: | Salida, CO, US |
Distance: | 117.2 mi |
Selected distance: | 117.2 mi |
Elevation: | + 10067 / - 7858 ft |
Max Grade: | |
Avg Grade | |
Cat | |
FIETS | |
VAM | |
Ascent time | |
Descent time | |
Total Duration: | 12:48:30 |
Selection Duration: | 46110 |
Moving Time: | 10:36:10 |
Selection Moving Time: | 10:36:10 |
Stopped Time: | 02:12:20 |
Calories: | 6019 |
Max Watts: | |
Avg Watts: | 159 |
WR Power | |
Work | |
Max Speed: | 33.9 mph |
Avg Speed: | 11.1 mph |
Pace: | 00:06:33 |
Moving Pace: | 00:05:25 |
Max HR: | 143 bpm |
Min HR: | 61 bpm |
Avg HR: | 113 bpm |
Heartrate zones: | |
Zone 1: | 4 hours 24 minutes |
Zone 2: | 1 hour 0 minutes |
Zone 3: | 0 minutes |
Zone 4: | 0 minutes |
Zone 5: | 0 minutes |
Best format for turn-by-turn directions on modern Garmin Edge Devices
Best format for turn by turn directions on Edge 500, 510. Will provide true turn by turn navigation on Edge 800, 810, 1000, Touring including custom cue entries. Great for training when we release those features. Not currently optimal for Virtual Partner.
Useful for uploading your activity to another service, keeping records on your own computer etc.
Useful for any GPS unit. Contains no cuesheet entries, only track information (breadcrumb trail). Will provide turn by turn directions (true navigation) on the Edge 705/800/810/1000/Touring, but will not have any custom cues. Works great for Mio Cyclo. Find GPS specific help in our help system.
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