Big finishing day, passing up the AirBnB I had reserved in Vail I decided to bring it on home for a 72 mile day with over 5,000’ of climbing. And for the first, and last day of this trip, I had 30 minutes of rain before summiting Vail Pass and more sprinkles as I glided down the rec path into Frisco, my home town. I called it “cooling mist for my day”.
Definitely a climbing day, especially the last 10 miles up Vail Pass.
Ang dropped me off in Dotsero so I could bypass the 14 dangerous miles I would have had to ride through Glenwood Canyon on I-70 since the rec path was closed due to flooding.
Saying good bye to my old friend the Colorado River as it bends north to its headwaters in Rocky Mountain National Park and hello to my new one on the way to Vail, the Eagle River.
Rec path was my main choice as it paralleled US 6 and I-70 towards Edwards.
In Edwards, my first stop after 31 miles, it’s 11:30 and it’s just 13 more miles to W. Vail and my thoughts turned to skipping my last overnight and finishing my trip today. I was pretty sure I had the legs to do it and I definitely had the will, and the forecast looked pretty good as far as rain….
I canceled my AirBnB in Vail and my new target was to get over that mountian range!
I’m riding a slim and trim version of my Surly Disk Trucker today. Last night I weaned down my gear to just what I needed to finish my trip: my tools and small parts, first aid kit, toiletry bag, a pair of shorts and my merino t-shirt and Ang drove the rest home. I was now prepared to ride the mountains a little faster today.
As my first rain shower was starting, about 7 miles from Vail Summit I found this guy waiting for me on the rec path.
Lots more energetic snowmelt today, in many cases running over the rec path.
And waiting for me at Black Lake, just a mile or so before Vail Summit, was Len, his grandson Liam and friend Michael banging pots and pans to cheer me on the last few hundred feet of climbing. Thanks Len!!
At the top of Vail Summit, 10,600’, with just 13 more miles of downhill riding to my home, in the rain. It was ok though, I was about to be home!!
Well done! If the mood strikes you, you've still got the rest of the summer to ride to the Atlantic. I learned a lot from your blog and enjoyed every day of it. Hoping to follow in your tire tracks within the next couple of years. Enjoy a day of non-cycling that you've definitely earned!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kevin, and I’m happy to share my thoughts with you when you decide to do your own Western Express trip!!!
ReplyDeleteI caught up with your last three days just now, and what a great ride. Makes me yearn for another trip.
ReplyDeleteIt’s never too late John! Thanks for following me on my trip. Nice to know you were there.
ReplyDeleteGreat trip and blog as always ! THanks for sharing !!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for following me James!
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