July 9 Crossing America

Gunnison, CO – Montrose, CO Distance 64 miles, I rode all of them.
Total distance through today 2,510 miles ridden on by bike 2,083.

View Along US Route 50

The first 25 miles of today’s ride took us along the Blue Mesa Reservoir in the Curecanti
National Recreation Area along US Hwy. 50.  The terrain was gently rolling hills and the view of the reservoir outstanding.  I can’t ever remember traveling this section of Colorado before, it further affirms my believe Colorado is the second best State for natural beauty.

About 22 miles out I decided to stop for a short break and marvel at the beauty of the
reservoir.  I noticed a vehicle heading toward me kept flashing his headlights.  Flashing headlights generally means there is something up ahead and one should use caution as they go forward.   A car passed me going in my direction and about where the pick-up guy flashed his lights the car came to a stop.  My snack can wait, threw it back in my handlebar bag and rode toward the stopped car as I arrived on the scene I quickly discovered there were about 10 mountain goats or sheep on the road licking the pavement.

Mountain Sheep only feet from the road

Guessed they were after the salt or whatever nutrient in the asphalt.  The car which had stopped in front of me one of the occupants a gal had camera in hand and walked toward me and we joined in taking several pictures of the goats.  By this time a number of vehicles had stopped and everyone was taking pictures.  Reminded me of the buffalo jams you see in Yellowstone National Park except this is a goat jam.  After taking our pictures the gal asked all the usual questions about my ride which I gladly provided her answers.  She then asked if I had ever ridden RAGBRAI in Iowa.  That got us onto a lively discussion and I learned the gal was a retired teacher from Iowa now living in Florida.  She had ridden many RAGBRAI but not for the last 8 years.  Again proof how big yet small our world is,
she taught school at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa for a few years.  I’ve ridden RAGBRAI with the Wartburg Knight Riders the past four years.  I do regret having to miss that ride this year but my 65^th Birthday celebration ride is a once in a lifetime event.  By
the time the gal and I finished visiting you would think we were good friends.  Except as happens many times on the road I didn’t get her name.  I did give her one of my Old Guy cards which she said she would check out my website.  I hope she does and reads this
and sends me an email letting me know her name and where she lives in Florida.  My friends from Wartburg Knight Riders might know you.   I might also be able to stop in for
a visit while on stage 3 of my ride across America?

Just before the first water break, I had a flat tire only my second of the trip and caused
by the same problem specifically, a 1/8” hole in the center of the tire.  This is what caused my flat back in Westcliffe, too but was in a hurry to get on the road didn’t ask Pepper for a
new tire and then completely forgot about it until now.  I won’t forget to get one at the water break as this could be a real hazard to my body if I should have a blowout while on a
fast downhill run.  I stopped at what I thought was a good spot in Sapinero to wait for the van but after 20 minutes decided to go on as the van didn’t show.   My plan was to hail down the van as it passed me to get a tire That plan didn’t work out as the van passed while I must have been in a mental daze and I didn’t see it until it was too late.  Thus I’d have to ride the 21 miles to Cimarron 21miles before I could get another tire, hoped my tire would last that long.  After the fact, I could have used a dollar bill as a boot in my tire which I had learned about from several different sources.  However being mechanical moron I am I didn’t think about it until arriving in Cimarron and Pepper said a boot
would work fine.  When Pepper and I installed the boot in the tire, sure enough the new inner tube I had put only 21 miles ago was about ready to rupture so we patched it at the same time.  Will I ever have a brain when it comes up mechanical problems?  Doubtful!

Even with the headwind the final 10 miles into Montrose was a relatively easy ride.  Upon arriving in Montrose I met up with Trish, Ike and Chet for some ice cream at a  McDonalds.  While there I tried calling an old friend who lives in Montrose but was unable to connect with him.  Then we received a Twit there was a Microbrewery only a couple blocks from us and most of the crew was there.  We immediately finished our mediocre ice
cream and headed for the good stuff.   The Horsefly Brewery, what a place baby!   They not only had a great Red beer but great food as well.   While we were enjoying the great beer we received word not to ride the 3 miles to the campground wherewe were to stay this night as the fee per person was $15.00 per person and the facilities were minimal and not in good condition at best.  Therefore as a good trooper I did as I was told and continued indulging in homemade chips, onion rings and several other dishes but can’t remember what they were.   Bridget arrived sometime to let us know we would be staying at the Motel
6 a half mile from the brewery which would only cost $18.00 per person.   We old geezers popper for a couple extra rooms as we wanted to sleep two people to a room not 4, thus we anted up the extra cost to have a bed to ourselves.

My eyeballs floating from indulging in the fine Red beer of the Horsefly Brewery, I decided
it was time to call it a day and head to the motel.  Wow!  It sure got pretty drunk outside.
It must have been caused by the rainstorm which passed us while we were enjoying the beer.  Anyway it was pretty drunk outside when I left the brewery.   Several of the riders were concerned I could ride the half mile to the motel sue to the condition.  I assured
them I had ridden my bike 15 miles or more on several occasions after having
indulged in several pitchers of Margaritas and never failed to make it.   A half dozen beers and a half mile ride was a piece of cake and it was.  This night I slept like a log.  The Old Guy is feelingpretty good.

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