For me, I got up early since I didn’t want any sprinklers to soak me down and I didn’t want to scare any children who might want to play at the park before it got too hot.
I made really good time riding to Rangely, CO. So good that I ended up having breakfast instead of lunch at the local cafe.
I made a point of getting extra water for today’s ride. It was 73 miles to the next town and I was not going to make it that far today. I would need to camp along the way.
I rode for about an hour when I saw a simple generic rest stop sign. I needed to rest so it seemed like a good idea to stop. Once there, I found out there was a trail that lead to a great collection of ancient Native American wall art.
It really was excellent and it was just luck that I stopped. I should point out that I would have never stopped if I had been driving! Another reason I like bicycle touring so much are the unanticipated things that one might have missed otherwise.
Now back riding after an hour and a half break I found myself pedaling into a modest headwind. No one should ever say I don’t learn from my mistakes. After an hour of this torture, I took another break. Both to let the temperature drop a little and to see if the wind would change. For once, patience won out. The wind did stop for the most part.
Now for the next hurtle. That would be Douglas Pass. It was my plan to ride up most of the way and camp below the summit. The climb was very gradual and the scenery gradually changed from canyon land to mountainous.
About 6:30, I found a flat place to set up camp. It was ‘t very elegant. Latterly a wide spot on the road. I set the tent up about 150 feet from the road but nobody bothered me at all. One person did stop to inquire if everything was alright. He even have some extra Gatorade that he gave me. Another unexpected act of kindness. I think I have a lot of Karma to give back to the world after this trip.
Glad you decided to stop at that rest stop. What luck to see some beautiful native American Art. You mentioned you would not have done this if you had been in a car. Remind me never to take a road trip with you… I am female after all!
JK.
Good To hear you’re doing so well! Doesn’t look like you and Natalie will intersect again where are you?
Cecilia
Hi Cecilia- yes I doubt that I will cross paths with Natalie at least on a bike. Since Whitefish, I have traveled 1000 miles straight south and only now have turned east again from Grand Junction Colorado. Natalie is too Far East for me to ever catch up with her. I text her every now and then to check in with her and she sounds like she is doing well these days and had a few nice breaks off her bicycle. I will continue to check in with her from time to time. Let us all know of her progress especially as she nears Maine!
FYI
She said she thinks you were the easiest person to ride with 🙂
Cecilia my grandmother was an Izzo, small world!!