Day Nineteen

Don't try this if you think sitting on a bicycle seat hurts.

Don Fair spinning to the top.

Larry and Adella after the climb.

Is this an awesome way to end the day or what! She told me that he's not her brother and DEFINITELY NOT her boyfriend.

Greeted by one of the local celebrities in Salida.

Phil and Larry enjoying smoothies at The Simmering Cup.

Rocky Mountain High

Great start from Gunnison with optional breakfast at The Bean where they make delicious crepes and way-better-than-hotel-blend coffee!!

Still on US 50 East with a nice 30 mile spin to the SAG at the bottom of climb to Monarch Pass (11,312 ft.). It was just the two of us and we remarked how nice it was to hear the gurgling water and birds. Virtually no highway noise due to low traffic (people don’t commute to work around here…they get-up and go to work on the farm). Picture perfect sky with temps in the 40’s quickly rising to the 60’s.

Everyone was shedding the extra clothing at the SAG as they prepared for the 10 mile climb to Monarch. We were joined by Sooner Rick and Joy and I was climbing on my own pretty quickly as the others motored away (glad Joy is feeling better but I miss her jokes). These long climbs are really not difficult because the grade is pretty consistent at 5-6% so the key is to find a comfortable gear and spin away occasionally shifting up to stand and get the blood flowing into other areas of the legs…drink…and think good thoughts. The temperature was perfect…not too hot or cold and eventually the summit was there.

I passed a few people on the way up including my 74 year old buddy Larry Johnson who was right behind me at the end so we took the optional scenic gondola to the tippy top of Monarch at 12,000 feet with excellent views of Pikes Peak, Mt. Baldy, and the San Juan Mtns. that we left a few days ago.

We had a 25 mile DOWNHILL run into Salida. The luggage trailer was way behind us today because the SAG vans are providing extra support as some of our riders are having intestinal problems. Robb had passed on the gondola ride so he was nowhere to be seen when I arrived but Kevin just needed to hear the word ice cream and he was ready to follow me into town. We stuck gold at “That’s A Wrap” where they make their own ice cream from the mother’s original recipes. Later we hooked-up with Phil and another local told us we should really try the small batch Boulder Ice Cream at “The Simmering Cup”. Kevin and I agreed that it would be a shame to leave Colorado without testing the Boulder product so we moseyed over for a second helping.

Tonight we followed the suggestion of my baby brother, Lee, who recommended that we dine on pizza and microbrew at Amicas. Lee is a mountain biker so he’s obviously a bit odd but he does know pizza and beer and we topped off a perfect day with a perfect meal.

Larry Frederick is making his fourth cross country bike trip and this time he’s joined by his beautiful, talented daughter Adella. The amazing thing about their trip is that they are using the opportunity to promote blood donation. My nickname for Larry is “Chief” to differentiate him from our other Larry. “Chief” Larry of the Oakland, CA PD was hit by a drunk driver during a routine traffic stop. He should have died. He didn’t. It’s a miracle. He required over 100 pints of blood. Back then we didn’t know about or screen for AIDS. He should have died. He didn’t. It’s a miracle. Adella was born. It’s a miracle. In addition to organizing blood drives DURING our bike tour, they will spend a month AFTER the tour driving back across the country promoting more blood drives. You can read about their inspiring story at: http://www.lifeacrossamerica.com/

Tomorrow we have an exciting run to Pueblo and then we have our second lay day.

Thank you for following our progress. We appreciate the comments and wish you all a wonderful weekend.

Today’s ratings: (the higher the better or easier)

Scenery: 9.5

Road conditions: 9

Grunt factor: 5