Cycling the Western Express: Boulder to E. Torrey, UT

Only a 40 mile day but it wasn’t a cake walk. Starting off right with a 14 mile climb up to 9,500’ and an unfortunate headwind on the way down, added with warming temps, I was glad the day was over around 12:30.

The morning climb was very steady around 3% as we left around 7 with temps in the high 50’s and they barely got to low 60’s as I summitted shortly after 10.

Mike, heading back to Grand Junction after a camping trip near Boulder, picked up Len shortly after Len left this morning. Even with the reduced weight Len’s still having troubles. Mark gave Len a lift to Torrey where he waited for me to finish.

Some of the last straight road before I leave the valley and enter the switchbacks and steeper grades of the mountain range.

I reached the summit at 10:20 and was looking forward to gliding 20 miles down to Torrey but the terrain and the wind had different thoughts.

The flora was Alpine and reminded me of being back home in Frisco. Bit by bit I’m getting closer to home.

I start getting some benefit of the steep grades going down now but they inevitably were short lived, like this one, only 1.5 miles and I was met with another climb into the wind. Kind of like a roller coaster. Kinda not as easy as I had hoped.

Crossing the Fremont River bottom before I make the left turn back up into the wind for the 4 miles into Torrey. The road and traffic were very nice today, smooth, often with a nice shoulder, and no rumble strips.

We’ve been very fortunate with wind on our trip but today our northern course, especially after the morning climb, has been into strong winds as you can see by the flag.

Spacious Cabin #6 at the Rim Rock Motel and cabins. We had pizza for dinner with pieces left over for breakfast since we’re planning on leaving before breakfast is served at 7.