July 8 Crossing America

Monarch Pass, CO – Gunnison   Distance 49 miles, rode 49 miles
Total miles traveled through today 2,446, rode on my bike 2,019.

Another night without sleep due to the headache which never fully went away from last night, why did I not keep my Netty Pot with me?  We all met at 7:00 AM for breakfast and then made ready to go back to the BLM campground to join the rest of the crew for the last 4 miles to the top of Monarch Pass.  Soon as we arrived at the campground I wasted no time in getting Spirit and taking off for the top.   About the time Spirit and I arrived at the top everyone else arrived.  We took the opportunity for a group photo at the Monarch Pass Sign, elevation 11,312 feet the highest peak we’ve climbed yet.

Crew summit Monarch Pass

View from Monarch Pass

Some of the crew decided to ride a tram to the very top of the mountain I decided to take the opportunity to get down the road.  I was excited to be on this next stretch of road as it was a 10 mile downhill and I planned on letting it all hang loose for a fast descent.  That lasted all of a couple minutes as I got hit with a gust of wind maybe 30+ mph and almost blew my bike off the road while I was doing 40 mph.  Crap!  I had to break my speed down to 30-35 mph for the rest of the descent.  Even at 31 mph I had another wind gust which blew me across the highway this time.  Mother Nature must have it in for me, didn’t she know I planned on breaking my fastest downhill speed (52 mph on a hill in Iowa) on this descent.  Guess I had to settle for the adrenalin rush caused by the unexpected wind gusts.   It probably made Ms. Vickie happy or not as she would have a nice life insurance proceeds if my thrill for speed went wrong.

Today was supposed to have been one of our easiest riding days only 49 miles and almost
all of it downhill.  Like I said Mother Nature doesn’t like me or something as we were faced with a 15-20mph head wind all day with gusts in excess of 30mph.  If it hadn’t been for the overall downhill this would have been one tough day as it was it took most of my energy to complete the ride.

Arriving in Gunnison, I immediately went to the KOA campground on the west side of town where we were to stay this night.  I was surprised to learn I was the first to arrive and was even there before Bridget.  I inquired as to which campsite was reserved for the Bike the US for MS group and learned there wasn’t a reservation.  David the owner of the campground assured me there would be no problem he would have room for our group.  Unlike the campground owner, Mark in Westcliffe, David was amiable, helpful and friendly.  Likewise his campground was immaculate, real grass we could set our tents on, level ground, very clean bathrooms and showers, free laundry and Wi-Fi hook-up.
Mark could use a lesson in being a campground host from David.  This was my first ever stay at a KOA campground and it was outstanding.  If you’re in Gunnison and going to be camping you need to stay at this KOA campground.  David is all about service with a sincere smile, friendliness and a willingness to accommodate the needs of folks.

For dinner Ike had located a local Micro Brewery which he was told had good food as an added bonus.  Thus Ike, Mark and I went there for dinner.  The other Old Geezers had eaten before coming to the campground.  The tip Ike had gleaned from a local proved
true.  I had fish and chips and a few red beers and a finished my meal with a delightful Port for desert.  Need those carbs to keep this engine fueled.

Outside ofMother Nature blowing a strong headwind at us all day this was a very good day.  The Old Guy went to bed with a fulltummy, not overly exhausted and slept like a baby cuddled in the womb of his mamma.  Yes indeed a very good day.

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