Today, I really got up early. Nothing like being in the middle of nowhere for motivation.
Yesterday, I had walked up the road to scout the rest of the climb up Douglas Pass. It would get steeper than yesterday but the nights rest helped. The 1.5 mile climb up to the summit elevation of 8,266 went pretty easy although there was no sign at the top. Then a great downhill where I did not turn a pedal for almost 10 miles. Yowser! I just had to dodge the cows that were scattered along the road since it was all open range.
The descent was fast and I quickly returned to the scrubland of the Colorado desert. After 36 miles, I again found civilization in the town of Loma. They said I would have to travel 5 more miles to Fruita to find a restaurant so civilization might have been a slight stretch.
But fruita was nice. I had a real nice lunch and then it was only 11 miles to Grand Junction, my destination for the day.
11 miles huh? With being so close, I decided to take a side trip to the Colorado National Monument right here. Plus it would pop out in GJ so I wouldn’t have to backtrack. Great idea.
29 miles later and 2200 vertical feet later I was questioning what a great idea it was. And did I mention it was pretty hot?
But it really was worth it.
After the initial 4 mile climb, it wasn’t so bad. Well except for the heat. Did I mention it was hot?
After a much needed descent I found myself at the city limits of Grand Junction at a convenience store. I was pretty thirsty. I casually inquired to the clerk if he knew the outside temperature. He said 105F. Did I mention it was hot?
I had made plans a long time ago to stay with the Louck’s. Bob and Erma Loucks are the parents of one of my best high school friends and just really great people. Bob came and picked me up at that point. I was done riding for the day.
They really made me feel right at home. We all went over to their daughter Robin’s house and I met the whole family and their friends. A good time was had by all.