Friday September 10. Up early and decided to treat myself to a real American breakfast. So, I headed back across the street to the diner. Had a veggie omelet with hash browns and toast and an orange juice and coffee!
The temperature was a chilly 52 degrees fahrenheit when I started out. Dressed warmly, with lots of layers and headed north. Again it was a secondary highway and very scenic. This road was terrific, because although it was very windy, you could do it at 80 to 90 km. My goal today was to be within reach of Rocky Mountain National Park. En route I had to decided whether to take the more direct route and pick up the interstate or take another secondary road through Aspen. I thought going that route might be interesting, so away I went. Boy am I glad I did! The town of Aspen was okay, much like any other skiing town, very busy, with chalets and the like. But just east of Aspen the road narrowed and began to twist and climb. Eventually, I rode over Independence Pass at 11000 feet. It is also the continental divide. It was windy and cold up there! but the views and the route were both spectacular.
If you look at the picture of me by the pass sign, the reason I look like the pillsbury dough boy, is because I was wearing two shirts, a fleece sweater, a windbreaker, my summer biker jacket and my rain suit to cut the wind. And I had on three pairs of pants! I'm telling you it was cold. It was cold just standing, try the wind chill riding!
From there I rode east and north to Rocky Mountain National Park. I got there with enough time to ride through. The park is beautiful and consists mainly of one long ride up and over the Rockies. This time to 12000 feet. Again really cold and windy. My fingers were freezing trying to take pictures.
After riding back down, I decided to ride right through the town that is just outside the park, because there is a Scottish event going on and everything is booked. So, I rode 28 miles east to Loveland, through a beautiful windy canyon, following the river that created it. Arrived at dusk, got a motel, a subway sandwich and settled in for the night, after peeling all my layers.
JJ
ReplyDeletecan appreciate that mountain trek as Nina and I had a similar experience in Colorado. short sleeves and 85 on the valley floor and 2 hours and 11000 ft later, freezing rain, snow and every bit of clothing in the bags pulled on for warmth.
funny thing is that i had forgotten about that until i read ur blog.
wick it on!!!