July 10 Crossing America

Montrose, CO – Telluride, CO  Distance 66 miles, rode my bike 61
Total Miles traveled through today 2,576, on my bike 2,144.

Whew Wee!  The Rockies threw almost everything it has at us today and I still survived.
I wanted to get an early start to enjoy the afternoon in Telluride that was the plan anyway.  I departed Montrose at 5:45 AM, the day began warm but as I climbed toward Ridgeway the weather took a change to much colder and it began to rain on me.

Ridgeway view of mountains and storm

The wind chill factor was barely above freezing.  By the time I reached Ridgeway, 30 miles into the ride, I had to stop for a cup of coffee to warm up.  After another ran passed I remounted my trusty steed Spirit and headed up Dallas Divide at 8,970’.  Almost 4,000’ climb in 11 miles may not sound like much for someone in a motor vehicle but it’s a real chore on a bicycle especially for this Old Guy.  About 2 ½ miles from the top a Road Angel appeared.   My eyes were glued to the pavement just in front of my bike and I was registering a new slow speed accent at 2.4 mph and once again practicing my best Ozark uphill wobble and weave technique to keep moving forward.  Evidently Tyler, my Road Angel today, had passed me on his way up the hill and decided to turn around and come back and check on me.  When Tyler pulled his pick-up around and came to a stop behind me I saw him in my rearview mirror and dismounted actually it was more like falling off my bike.  Tyler said, “When I passed you it looked like you were struggling and might be in need of help”.  To which I replied between gasps was yea I can use all the help I can get, you wouldn’t happen to be going to Telluride”.  Tyler laughed at my reply and said no but he lived right over the summit and would give me a lift to there.  I quickly replied, I’ll take it, and then Tyler helped me load Spirit into the bed of his truck and pulled me up inside the bed.  I had to ride in the back of the truck as his family was in the truck.  Tyler made quick work of climbing the rest of the way to the summit and over to the turn off to his ranch.  What took him maybe 10 minutes would have taken me another hour.  Thank you Tyler for rescuing this Old Guy, you probably saved me from a cardiac arrest.

The ride down from Dallas Divide was awesome 13 ½ miles without having to turn a pedal
stroke.  I sat on Spirit and enjoyed the ride and fantastic view of the valley on my descent.  The picturesque beauty of the Rockies has always been one of my favorite States for natural beauty, right behind Alaska actually.  Since the SAG vehicle hadn’t yet passed me I knew I wouldn’t be able to replenish my water supply in Placerville.  I thought for sure as long as it had taken me to get there the van would be there but not.  Fortunately 4 miles past Placerville was the little community of Sawpit and a great little general store and
restaurant.

Kelly the galwaiting tables, busting tables and washing tables was as busy as a hummingbird but still had time to chat and provide outstanding service.  I was surprised at the menu selection as it had delectable dishes listed you would find in the finest restaurants in a big city.  Since I was sitting at the counter, I was also able to view the menu items as they came out of the kitchen and again the presentation of the food was amazing.  I asked Kelly about this and she said Terry, I think that is the chef’s name, had worked in some of the finest dining establishments around America before settling here.  He was seduced by the beauty of the area to move here.  For folks who live here and
the lucky tourists who happen upon the Sawpit Mercantile you are blessed to have a chef of this quality serving up a selection of great tasting dishes at very affordable prices.  Those of you reading this journal, if you’re ever in the Telluride area be sure and stop at
the Sawpit Mercantile for some of the finest dining anywhere.

Ten of the last twelve miles to Telluride was up, what’s new right.  Mother Nature is still helping to make this ride a challenge as I was rained on twice more during this stretch of road and a good headwind just in case I wasn’t satisfied with being rained upon.  Finally, I made it to the turn off of Hwy. 145 and road into Telluride; the final two miles would be downhill.  Yah!   Before heading into town I phoned Bridget to find out where the City
Park was located, on the far side of town but the town is not that big.  Bridget also told me to be sure and get on the bike path running alongside the road as there is a $15.00 fine riding on the roadway.  Thanks, I would have ridden on the road as there was no signage stating otherwise.  The bike path though a little rough had a tunnel with a really neat mural, I took a picture for you to view.

Tunnel on Bike path into Telluride

Next I hear the shrill whistle of moose, lots of moose’s’ and was surprised to see a whole heard of them running down a pasture alongside me heading toward town, I estimated there were about a hundred of them but a local said it was only 60-70 still very impressive.  I took a picture of them for you to view, too.

Herd of Elk

View from downtown Telluride

Telluride is in a beautiful valley with an awesome view of the mountains and a waterfall
running between two of the mountains.  I took a picture for your viewing enjoyment.
There is much to do in the area during the summer for outdoor enthusiasts such as mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, hiking, backpacking and historic site exploring.   And there is no shortage of fine restaurants to enjoy but be prepared
prices of everything is expensive by the Old Guy’s standards.

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