Going Down to South Park – Day 25

Date: Tuesday 31st August   

Route: Alma, Colorado – Pueblo, Colorado

Distance:  129 miles 

Total climb: 4132ft

Net climb: -5447ft

This morning started with the fitting of new brake blocks, after some breakfast, ready for the long descent ahead. We rolled out of Alma and down through the South Park (home of Cartman et al), stopping briefly in Fairplay before a stint to Hartsel for our first break. At the H.O.B. cafe (see photo for extended name, but excuse content), Jay opted for “the best fries of the trip so far” and a shake, whilst I stuck with a shake. To further add to the feeling of the wild west, we watched three cowboys roll up for burger lunches, wearing chaps, hotspurs and hats – very authentic, although I’m not sure they could handle a rodeo with Diana or Rosie.

After two short climbs, we met up with the RV for a spot of lunch. Having eaten, we faced a steep downhill, dropping over 3,000 feet in just over 25 miles. This took us to the city of Canyon City (see photos) and back into the heat. We met Team Heagney in a park in Canyon City, where a band was playing a free live gig – great to roll up to the backing of ‘Barbara Anne’ and pop a few shapes on the bikes.

The remaining stint to Pueblo took us away from the Rockies and onto the flatlands that will become rather familiar in the coming weeks.  In fact, as we left Wetmore, we literally turned a corner out of a small canyon and were faced with a flat landscape as far as the eye could see. We raced the final 30 miles in the dark towards Pueblo, avoiding a number o f snakes (some rather large) and searching for the sign for the RV park.

None of the signs on the run in to Pueblo gave any firm direction for an RV park, so we kept heading along the road we were on.  Eventually, late into the evening, we asked for directions.  With one wrong turn and a call to the RV, we made it to the site – located next to a marina, on the edge of the lake in the Pueblo State Park.  The signs had been poor, but this meant the rather spectacular location was relatively empty and inexpensive.

A monster 129 miles had been covered and we celebrated with Team Heagney.  Tonight was to be our last night in the RV, with proper food and good banter with mum and John. Naturally, we felt it unfair to leave John with too many beers to finish on his own and assisted in reducing the stock of cookies.

Final bullet points:

–           I’m not sure about Jay’s views, but I’ll miss the Rockies.  Wolves and bears aside, they’ve provided some superb terrain for cycling and some fun descents. I’d rather contend with the climbs than the headwinds that undoubtedly lie ahead.

–           We had our first taste of Highway 96 this evening, which I understand we’ll be following for broadly 400 miles. It has a hard shoulder in places, which is promising. However, it is rutted and a little painful on the seat and hands.

–           I’m sad to say that the pink horn I was given as a leaving present at work doesn’t fit on Rosie. The intention was to do a section today with it, getting some shots for the blog. It’s probably not wise to ride too far with it out here in the rugged Wild West, but I had to concede that it was designed for a smaller set of wheels. Thanks to GT in any case, for providing ongoing amusement between Jay and I.

FP