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 Kansas! I woke up about the time of the sun rise. Before it came up it was cold. I checked my little thermometer and it read about 30 degrees. So instead of hopping out of my sleeping bag and getting going I decided to review my my map. Since I was now on the Adventure Cycling TransAm route I have detailed maps again and don’t have to wing it quite as much. I figured I’d make it to at least Tribune, KS (60 miles) but was hoping for another twenty or thirty miles.
Before getting going I checked my tires. Great to see my rear tire was nearly flat. I probably ran over some thorns when I rode into the park. I figured I’d just pump it up and see what happened. I had no water and needed to buy some oil for my chain. (The lubricant put on by REI only lasted two days, and now my chain was making a lot of noise.) So my first stop was the grocery store. I rode up Maine Street and almost every store was closed. Out of about twelve or more store fronts only the grocery store, post office and tanning salon were operating. Continue reading Day 46: Eads, CO to Tribune, KS (October 14)
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 US Route 40 near Limon Leaving Limon it was just above freezing. I had gotten up earlier and checked the weather outside but it was cold — thermometer read below freezing — so I decided to wait for the sun to come up a bit. The day before I had not ventured into Limon. There was a bit more to It than the exit ramp off the interstate. Not much but a bit.
I got back onto Route 40 which turns to concrete and has a big shoulder. It is like a whole lane just for me. Continue reading Day 45: Limon to Eads, CO (October 13)
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 Eastern Colorado It was cold waking up. Felt close to freezing. But I was happy to have my new tent. During the night I woke up to sounds of rain hitting the fly. Not much but it would not have been good with my last setup or bivy. The moon was really bright and several times I woke up in the night thinking it was near sunrise only to check my clock and realize there were still hours to go. Setting out from the camp ground, I saw small piles of snow on the sides of the road. Elizabeth is still pretty high at about 6400 feet. Good to be heading down. Continue reading Day 44: Elizabeth to Limon, CO (October 12)
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 A bigger shoulder would be nice... I left my friend’s place pretty late to find a Fedex place to ship some stuff home since there were no nearby post offices. After a bit, I found it, and shipped home the extra tent, some maps, and a few other things. I don’t think I really reduced any weight considering my new tent, camera mount, and other stuff. By the time I was done with that, it was lunch time.
I stopped at a middle eastern lunch restaurant and had a big sandwich. Too big a sandwich. I felt bloated and had to sit there for a bit longer than I would have liked. The rest of the day riding I felt slow and unmotivated. I never kept a constant speed and my mind wandered from riding. Continue reading Day 43: Littleton to Elizabeth, CO (October 11)
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 The rest of the weekend turned out to be windy and rainy so I was very happy to have crossed the Rockies. When we went out to do some shopping for my friend we could see the mountains to the west, and when the clouds cleared they all had snow. The news reports were that enough snow fell over the weekend (starting the day I went over) that the ski resorts all opened. Phew!
I spent some time looking at the possible routes to connect up with the Adventure Cycling TransAm route that goes across the southern part of the state. Although the traffic seemed to be a bit much, I decided to ride US 85 to Castle Rock. From there I’d take Colorado 86 east through some small towns until it met up with US Route 40 again near Limon, CO. (Looks like I’ll have a small stint on the interstate I-70…) Then follow US Route 40 through nothing in eastern Colorado until Kit Carson and then take 287 to Eads where I hook up with the TransAm. Distance is 171 miles, and I have heard it is pretty flat so maybe 2-3 days. The Colorado Dept. of Transportation says the shoulders are decent sized after Castle Rock. Hopefully it all works out. Continue reading Day 39 to 43: Rest Days in Denver, CO (October 7-11)
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 Skies are still somewhat clear I made it over the Rockies. Just in time. They are forecasting for snow for the next four days or so at the higher elevations.
I started the day about 35 miles from Berthoud pass (11,315′) in Granby. The forecast was for snow and winds 50+ mph starting in the afternoon. I started going at about 07:30. It was windy the whole way to the pass but at mile 20 the wind picked up. I was inching along uphill at about 4 mph in my granny gear into a 20+ mph headwind with gusts that would almost knock me over.
Continue reading Day 38: Granby to Littleton, CO (October 6)
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 I made it! The day started well with waffles at Andy’s apartment and then I futzed about a little and headed out. The rain from the day before created a thick fog in the valley. A few miles out of town the road started to gain elevation that would eventually going over the 9000+ foot Rabbit Ears Pass. The road in the valley was a bit foggy, but I felt OK on it. However when I started to climb the mountain the fog was thicker and the mountain blocked the sun leaving the road dark. Watching cars approach me in my rear view mirror I noticed they started to swerve drastically 200 feet behind me to avoid me. Normally cars would pass in a smooth arc starting far away, but the drastic swerve meant they couldn’t see me until the last minute despite my lights, reflective stripes, and obnoxious clothing.
I pulled off the road and waited. While waiting I contemplated the weather report I had seen in Steamboat. The weekend weather did not look good. I was in a bit of a race against the weather to cross the Rockies and reach the safehaven of my friend’s house in Littleton, CO as well as the lower elevations of the plains. They’d hopefully protect me somewhat from winter which could start at anytime in the mountains. After waiting for about 45 minutes, the sun rose up high enough that its rays went directly into the valleys and started to burn off the fog. In a span of about 10 minutes the road went from completely fogged in to clear, and I headed off again. Continue reading Day 37: Steamboat Springs to Granby, CO (October 5)
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As Steamboat seems like a nice place, I decided to stay for a rest day. Also because I had ridden for five days and have a big pass outside Steamboat.
There is a bike path all along the river through town. Really convenient for getting around plus it means you aren’t on the road. It is a beautiful ride with the river and cottonwoods. I spent an hour in the new, beautiful library copying files from my GoPro memory cards onto the hard disk. I wanted to go up to the Strawberry hot springs but the shuttle bus stopped running a couple days before. It is in between seasons. Ski season starts after thanksgiving.
Instead I visited the world headquarters of Honey Stringer. They make honey based energy food for sports. I got to try their new waffles that Lance Armstrong likes. (He owns part of the company.) I ended up buying some of their gels and chews. Continue reading Day 36: Rest Day in Steamboat Springs, CO (October 4)
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 Fall colors on the Yampa River Today was a great, relaxing ride. Knowing that it was not too far I took it somewhat easy and took a bunch of photos along the way.
It was a bit chilly to start out and I left my windbreaker on until almost 11:00. The clouds started forming a bit earlier than normal today too providing shade. Most days there is a chance of an afternoon thunderstorm. Today was no different. Continue reading Day 35: Craig to Steamboat Springs, CO (October 3)
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 Colorado high country I decided not to put up the tent last night. I woke up a couple of times in the night and marveled at the milky way and stars plus wished on some shooting stars.
Despite my new sleeping pad being so much more comfortable than my last, it is a bit slippery. Combined with the super slick new bivy I was sliding all over until I put the pad inside the bivy. I have heard that laying beads of silicone on the pad should help.
Waking just before dawn I started breakfast and watched the sun rise while drinking hot chocolate. The temperatures were not bad. It was not below freezing. I started riding at 08:30. Continue reading Day 34: West of Elk Springs to Craig, CO (October 2)
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