Dreux's Great Divide Adventure

this section of the ride is all about hitting the big passes. Yesterday was Marshall Pass, 10,842’ elevation. Today was Cochetopa, 10,067’ & Carnero Pass, 10,166’. Long multi hour climbs Finishing up my ride yesterday, I ducked behind a building to avoid the rain squalls, Drew shows up as well. He’s training to bikepack race the CDT, Continental Divide Trail. Hard core with lots of hike-a-bike sections.  Raining this morning when I left campsite.  Spent most of today in the Rio Grande National Forest. Really spectacular. 

Low production day. Bike maintenance, sealant in tubes. Goat head thorns are a real flat threat from here to the finish. I’ve heard of riders getting 6 or more flats in a mile. New map section. Next to last map tomorrow. Arkansas River runs through the town park. This keep staring at me during supper. Town of Salida

Nice high plain ride out of Hartsel to Salida Dropping into Salida was dramatic! Yea, a rest day in the cool town, Salida. Nice town with right “the vibe.”  Settled in the hostel that caters to hikers and bikers. IPA and records 😳

Spending some time in Breck. to resupply and check out town. They know how to move snow on the tracks Where the buffalo roam Found the town troll, so popular, they had to relocate. Leaving Breck in the early morning. Climb over Boreas Pass which was once a rail route, over 11k’ elevation.

Back on the grid after several days of primitive camping. CO has great views.  View of Colorado River.  CO is the state with lots of big climbs. Yesterday Lynx Pass, 9k’, today UTE Pass, 9.5k’ and tomorrow Boreas Pass, 11.4k’. 😳 The Quaking aspen really are a treat to see and hear.  Just like this rock formation. Could be an installation. 

Great day climbing over the Watershed Divide into Steamboat Springs. View at 10k’ of Steamboat Lake. Bike porn Tom, the flowers were popping on the mountainside. Stopped in to Orange Peel Bike Shop for some servicing, these guys are the best. GDMB riders get top priority and reasonable rates. Not all hard work out here, was given a pass to the Mountain Side Hot Springs facility, very nice.  Surprised to run into the gang, I thought we were separating. 

So nice to see those beautiful Aspens. So long Wyoming, hello Colorado. So glad to be at Brush Mountain Lodge in Colorado. Welcomed with a hug from Kirstin followed by pizza and beer. This is an oasis for Great Divide Riders and CDT hikers.