Days 2-4: Through the Rockies

Turns out it’s very time consuming to write a summary of three days, so I’ll mainly be using pictures. (If each is worth 1,000 words, this post is > 21,000! Sorry Ma)

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About to set off from Guffey, where the last post ended

The first sign I saw that I was actually on the TransAmerica Trail! I’ve since seen only one other ☹️

Rear view — the protruding flag increases the apparent width of the bike so people give more berth when passing, and the Stars and Stripes is a hallowed symbol to all Americans (joking). I legitimately feel safer having it on, and so far haven’t had any malicious driving encounters, even from the obnoxiously tall pickup trucks!

First sight of snow-capped peaks

On the road to Fairplay. Had the first headwinds of the trip as the terrain opened out

Trying some nature photography

View from the tent at Fairplay. I hoped to reach Alma, but the campsite listed on the TransAmerica map seems to no longer exist. Instead, I was near the Fairplay “beach” (pebbles next to a small river). I was about to attempt to hang my food and toiletries in a tree since there were no bear boxes, but a second camper, Randy from Missouri, showed up with a car so we stashed them there

Reached Alma the next day. At this point I realized how exhausting it would have been to get there in the previous day!

Old-timey main street of Alma

Summit of Hoosier Pass — I inched up at 4 mph while listening to Johnny Cash for motivation 

Elevation made it very hard going!

Descending down the other side. Not as steep as the Alps, but a smoother ride without such tight hairpins

Found a spot to take a break from the sun

My campsite in Frisco. Again, my initial goal was so far away from what I felt like doing on the day — I need to change my estimates!

Heading to Silverthorne the next day on the best bike path I’ve ever ridden! Smooth, isolated from cars in amongst the trees, and with a roller coaster feel

 

Spent at least an hour down this road to Kremmling — many semi trucks! The suction once they pass actually gave me a brief respite from the headwind, but it’s not fun when two pass at once because you get pulled closer to the second. Interesting to see the wildlife bridges (in picture)

Finally made it to Kremmling and treated myself to an “el Gigante” burrito — yes, I had cramps for the next 17 miles until I finished riding

Some horse herding going on!

The 17 miles to from Kremmling to Hot Sulfur Springs ended up being pretty easy going. The wind that I had been battling became a tailwind, and the road followed a railway line so changes in elevation were extremely gradual. The weather started really moving in when I was about 5 miles out

Arrived at the front door of the motel just as the rain hit! And met another TransAmerica rider, for the first time, going East — I don’t envy his next few days!

Wonder where the police budget went…