Wednesday, 23Jun10, Gunnison, CO
Today started early because we had several climbs to do … up to the summit of Cerro, 7740 feet.
As usual the wind started just as siib as we left the hotel and started our climb … the wind was very strong and in our face.(again)
This time I made up my mind early that I was climbing to the top or die trying … and … the bright side of the climb was that Adella is quickly becoming a very good cyclist and I watched her fade away in the distance as she climbed up and away from me.
The long and short of the day was that it was windy all the way to the top of the climb … then the wind settled down and we were able to enjoy a nice long downhill … all the way down to the old general store that served “pies”.
Everyone stopped there to enjoy the decor of the old place and the old man sitting in the store allowed us to take pictures with him. (see Adella’s pix on Facebook)
I decided to forego the piece of apple pie and started to climb up our next climb … which ended at the next summit.
Then came the downhill that we all had been waiting on … we descended all the way down to Blue Mesa Lake … it was very scenic and seemed to go on forever and ever.(lots of beautiful pictures and incredible scenery)
On the downhill I hooked up with Freddie and his friend, Sumner, for an enjoyable and quick descent … we had a lot of fun riding together. (by the way Sumner is a 4 GALLON blood donor … I made a special point to give him a “hug” and to say thank you to Sumner because it was blood donors just like him who saved my life!)
Then we stopped at the Pinnacles rest area and Adella caught up with us … then she and I rode the next 20 miles together all the way to the hotel (Days Inn)
We decided then to ride the extra 1-2 miles into downtown Gunnison … to go to the bicycle shops and get something to eat.
Neither bike shop had what I was looking for … a Cateye Strata with cadence and wireless … so I just bought some chain lubricant.
Afterwards we went to the Firestaff restaurant and had something to eat … and … there we met Randy and Heather … who were on their way to mountain bike some local peak this evening.
The 2nd bicycle shop had a little boy named Burke with a brother named Bing … this little guy was riding a miniature 2 wheeler all around the store, in and out of the aisles and shelving etc. He was really good and I had a heck of a time getting a picture of him.
After that we rode our bicycles to the hotel … changed and then attended route rap, mechanic’s hour and finally off to dinner at Mario’s restaurant in town. Great food, great service and we left totally “filled up”.
Tomorrow will be another huge climb day … up and over Monarch Pass … 11,312 feet.
Gunnison is an amazing place and there are many things that you can do here: Visit the Pioneer Museum which has an antique car collection and the first Gunnison Post Office, etc.
They also have the Cattlemen’s Days which is the Grandaddy of all Colorado rodeos … and has many events to make all your cowboys feel right at home.
This area around Gunnison has many scenic river tours with events such as: rafting, fishing, kayaking, and rock climbing. I even saw a local notice inviting locals and tourists to go “zip lining”.
Well that about covers it for today … talk to you tomorrow.