Today’s Date: June 20, 2024

Today’s Start Point: Silverthorne, Colorado

Today’s End Point: Fairplay, Colorado

Today’s Miles: 41.63 Miles

Cumulative Miles: 1,962.53 Miles

I planned on today’s route to be short, since the road would take me up and over Hoosier Pass (11,542 feet of elevation). Hoosier Pass is the highest elevation for me on the whole trip. Silverthorne is at 9,035 feet, so the climb is really only about 1,500 feet. It’s not the length of the climb that worried me, but the low oxygen levels at that height. Once you get above 8,000 feet, the air starts to get thin.

The first 18 miles of the ride would be on a very well maintained and smooth bike path from Silverthorne to Breckinridge, Colorado. Once in Breckinridge, I would immediately hit the Hoosier Pass climb for about ten miles. After the top of the climb, I would have a 12 mile descent to Fairplay, Colorado, my stop for the day.

I immediately got on the bike path and headed south. The bike path was perfect. It began with tight switchbacks out of Silverthorne to a path along another huge reservoir, Dillon Reservoir. When standing in Silverthorne, the wall of the reservoir looms over the town.

The bikepath then leads you around the edge of the reservoir. At the early morning hour there were not too many people around and I took it easy. There was so many twists and turns and trees surrounding the path, the headwind was barely noticeable.

I was in no rush considering the short mileage, so I stopped multiple times for pictures. There were lots of opportunities. At one such stop a policeman came up to see if I needed any help (makes me wonder what kind of vibe I am sending out to the world-desperate, forlorn, needy, etc.). We had a nice chat. He is an east coast native who moved out to the area a few years ago and he is an avid mountain biker. He said the bike path that I am on branches out and goes for miles to many of the ski resorts and surrounding towns.

After our conversation, I continued south beyond the reservoir and headed to Breckinridge. It was a beautiful ride, with the Blue River keeping me company as the path meandered along the river. The water fell down a series of little waterfalls as it headed north-it was nice background music.

I arrived in Breckinridge at about 9:00 am. After visits to towns such as Hot Sulphur Springs, Walden and Rawlins, this was a little bit different. It was very hip, with numerous restaurants, coffee shops and other upper class accoutrements. It was a nice change of pace. I sat in a small park and had my second breakfast.

At this point, I figured there was no use stalling, time to hit the climb. When leaving Breckinridge, I had to take a left to take the road up and over the pass.

As I made the left, I noticed a cyclist coming the other way taking my picture. I know my form on the bike is not that good so I was wondering what this guy was up to.

Another eureka moment, it’s Brad Seavoy, a friend and fellow rider from Elmhurst (part of our EMC2 team). Brad had been scheming (yes I will use that word-scheming) with Leslie about meeting up with me in Colorado. Brad was coming out later in the week to Colorado but altered his schedule to catch me in Breckinridge. He got a room in the same hotel I booked for the night and will also be riding some of my route tomorrow (he will get to see the luxurious accommodations that I have been sleeping in). He was also able to bring a care package from Leslie. I am lucky to have these kind of people in my life.

After the shock wore off, Brad volunteered not only to allow me to draft off him up the climb but also took some of my baggage. He zeroed in the power wattage that I was capable of riding so that he could pace me up the climb (I think he was shocked that I suggested a negative number). With that, we started the climb.

Poor Brad, I think the speed was so slow that he was having trouble creating enough centrifugal force to keep his bike upright. But he was a trooper, pulling me the whole 10 miles. It was not easy since the climb had numerous blind curves and there was not much of a shoulder. I was having trouble in the thin air which forced us to stop every mile or so (it didn’t bother Brad but I am sticking to my story that it was the thin air).

Finally, with a lot of effort (mostly on Brad’s part) and a few raindrops, we reached the top of the pass. Once again I crossed the Continental Divide, I believe for the last time on this trip.

There were many people at the top, and Brad was gracious in taking their pictures (I was very quick to volunteer him saying that he was an excellent photographer and he would love to help them out).

We hung out at the top for a while and then put on some layers for the descent. The descent was long and gentle, and for all the pedaling required to go up, none was needed going down. As can be expected, the scenery was phenomenal. We glided down the descent for about six or seven miles until the road started to flatten out a bit.

Brad, still pulling at the front, increased the tempo and I felt for the first time that I was riding with the boys back home. I was winded, but happy.

We arrived at our luxurious accommodations (you know it is good when the room comes with a fly strip hanging from the ceiling and your own flyswatter). Actually, other than the fly accessories, the place is ok.

We went out to lunch at a local chicken joint and then reconvened for a Mexican dinner. Mojitos and Cervantes ended the night.

Thank you Brad for taking the time to ride with me today (and tomorrow). Pulling me up to the top of the pass was the mental break I needed. It was great to talk during the many breaks during the ride (breaks required by me) and during our time off the bike. I am amazed at your generosity, as with others that have come out during my ride. Honestly, I am not that nice of a person.

Lastly, thanks Les for helping Brad with some of the logistics and support. You are a cunning little minx.