Scott Junker Rides the Great Divide
Journal #10
Salida (sahl-eye-duh), Colorado
Hello-
I had an awesome time with the Jewsburys (Al and Wendy) and after a day of relaxation and feeding, which included an awesome barbecue and homemade ice cream (in honor of Wendy's birthday) at the home of Greg and Angie, I got to sleep in a real bed and I got lost in the sheets.
On Monday morning Wendy dropped me back off exactly where she had picked me up and I rode the bike path from Silverthorne to Breckenridge. This particular one was a minefield of distracted, vacationing bicycle renters and aero-bar-bound triathletes. I'm not sure which is more hazardous but they're both less predictable than the local fauna. I had to stop to fix a flat tire and re-place a dropped chain on two of the said rentals.
Upon my arrival in Breckenridge (which is itself a hazard zone of vacationing drivers and pedestrians) I could clearly see the pass which I was to cross (Boreas pass 11,482 ft) and could also see the lightning storm squatting in it, waiting to strike any ignorant itinerant bike dorks. Rather than try to sneak past hoping to be un-noticed, I opted for a long lunch and some coffee and waited for it to pass through the pass.
It did, but I had been way-laid long enough to only make 45 miles before being pinned down by a second storm in Como. There is nothing in Como. I camped in front of the Town Hall / School.
In the morning I hit the highway and except for a road cleaning crew saw very little traffic. The shoulder was clean and wide and the road wound through a wide farming valley and offered a view of some of the famous 'fourteeners' to the East. I stopped for a while at a truck stop diner for lunch and to allow yet another storm to pass and spun the last 30 miles into Salida.
After a stop at the bike shop, Absolute Bikes to BS with the staff I have retired to the cafe / bar Internet cafe for some supper and to send this message. A check with home revealed that the local newspaper somehow got wind of me and wants to interview me upon my return, I can only hope they're not down-wind.
I'll probably be in New Mexico when you next hear from me as there's not much between here and original Mexico.
Hasta Luego,
Scott
Overview of Scott Junker's Adventure
Scott Junker's Ride Photo Album
Other Events from Sundance Cycles
Serotta Demo Bikes Visited Sundance
The two Serotta Demo rides this past weekend were excellent. Many pictures from these rides will be displayed soon. Read the great review and see more images from the Serotta Demo day and Sundance Cycles, LLC Saturday Ride.
The 2006 Serotta demo fleet represented a wide cross-section of Serotta's product offerings. From the new, all-carbon MeiVici to the updated and refreshed Fierte line. Serotta
Shimano 06 Dura Ace 7801-SL Wheel Set - Shimano recently invited a select few “vip” retailers to Solvang for a three-day focus group to test their new 2006 Dura Ace SL wheels. More about Aj's adventure
AMGEN Tour of California Photos
Classic Climbs of the Giro - Article by Steve Dozier appeared in Roadie International
Trek Travel Party
Sorry you missed it. Check out the photos and information about Trek Travel.
