Back in my own, East Bound and Down!
While I left the GDMBR in Hartsel the real page turn is in Pueblo. From Hartsel to Canon City is basically the same terrain as the GDMBR traveling rocky single lane BLM roads and some paved connector sections. Well first day and already I am suffering from routing through private roads. To be fair I believe this issue was a property owner falsely closing the road across his property claiming it was private. There was a county road sign at his gate. Anyway the detour was 10 extra miles, paved, and all down hill so not terrible. I miss the predictably of the GDMBR already.
As I came close to town there was a small stretch of highway before turning onto a one way scenic road above the city called skyline drive. As I came close to the intersection sirens and lights were blazing. There was a high speed police chase coming towards me. The suspect turned right onto my intended path with 8 cop cars in tow. Seconds later a loud crash and the truck was pushed into a ditch ending the chase. The problem was my lonely road to town was now blocked. I asked a young deputy if I could slide by and he told me in no uncertain terms to get lost. (His words were more colorful than that). So down the highway I went. The day was big at 80 miles and 4,000 vert but it set me up to be in Pueblo early the next day.
Up, out, and down the road it was a simple 45 miles to Pueblo getting me there by noon with no struggles. I had lunch and the motel let me in early. Which was nice because I had lots to do. I had picked the motel for its location next to the post office and Staples. This was yet another reset.
The route from here on no longer requires mountain bike tires. In Breckenridge I ordered new rubber for Alister. They are still pretty wide at 1.8” but I had been running 2.3”. These are relatively slick for the road with just enough tread to manage maintained gravel roads and trails. They were waiting for me at an Amazon locker in the Staples. The pick up was smooth and I was back changing tires in my motel in no time. I struggled to get them on. Not sure why but they were tight and my hands have been weakened due to pinched nerves called cyclist palsy. After struggling for an hour or so I took a break and walked to the post office to retrieve my golf clubs.
Traci had mailed my clubs general delivery to the post office I selected by the motel. I waited the seemingly forever it takes in every post office just to find out they forward all general delivery to a different post office in town. Don’t ask me why. I had selected the main post office on purpose. They have better hours. The general delivery post office was already closed and would not open until 10:00 the next day.
This is a good place to let you know I have gotten better at controlling my emotions since the Subway incident. My experience has taught me that every bad stretch of gravel becomes smooth eventually and all bad days are followed by the best days. These facts were lost on me as I had no clubs, my tires were seemingly impossible to mount, and I was in a terrible motel with a clientele that seemed to be dodging parole violations.
I channeled my rage into mounting my tires and they finally gave in. Now Alister is asking if the skinny tires make his rear triangle look big.
I thought I had it all figured out and that I know what I am doing but as they say “If you want to see god laugh just make a plan!” It all worked out but there was a moment where I thought I was going to have to spend another day in Pueblo not making miles and certainly not smiling. I can also admit that I was questioning what I was doing out here.
Don’t worry the gravel always gets smooth if you keep pedaling and I am continuing to pedal.