Start: Dillon, CO
Finish: Twin Lakes, CO
Total Bike Mileage: 53.3 mi
Cumulative Bike Mileage: 1703.3 mi
Called my dad to wish him a happy Father's Day. Hopefully he's been peddling on his exercise bicycle at home to keep those 91 yo legs in shape! Received calls/texts from my three kids. Love you all. Hopefully this journey will make me a better son and father.
I chatted with a sprightly retiree who was walking his dog. He and his wife split their time between Tucson, AZ (winter) and Dillon, CO (summer). He had crossed the US on bicycle on two separate occasions when younger so we had a lot in common to share. All one needs to do to make a new friend is to just be willing to say "Hi, how are you this morning?" You never know what magic can occur.
Enjoyed usual breakfast at the hotel. We decided to van over about 30 mi west along I-70 to Vail, CO to stretch out the legs and check out the ski town and its first farmer's market of the summer. Beautiful stretch of road over Vail Pass and through a long tunnel. Adjacent to the highway was a paved meandering biking/walking path that stretched for miles beside a creek. 'We should be on that,' I thought.
Vail center is just off I-70. Ski town with usual nice layout of hotels, condos, and town homes lining the manicured streets and beautiful stream under a covered bridge. Bustling with a high-end farmer's market of tents with food stalls and other sundries. Maple syrup made in aged liquor barrels, jewelry, photography, handcrafted goods, sweets, etc. No farmer here selling fresh corn or tomatoes in overalls. This was boutique-land. Fit the location. The Blaze "chain gang" enjoyed the clean-hands ambiance. Had some delicious fish tacos from one of the stands. Got advice about best bike route to Twin Lakes from Vail from the lady at the Vail Information Center in town.
Enough pampering. Another "RITA" spot, I catalogued, to return to with my loving wife, Judy, who has been increasingly in my mind through the Rockies.
My dearest Judy, my loving wife, has a laughing smile and Moab stony colored eyes and natural hair color of Kansas winter red wheat. Her freckles are the speckled Nebraska Sandhills dunes. And her persistent twenty-something petite figure curves just like the switchbacks of the Rockies.
"RITA" spots are my acronym for 'Romance In The Air' and I've been collecting at least a few hundred along this journey. Yes, I would honestly say I like romance. What I really like is to share a wonderful inspiring spot, preferably with beautiful nature surrounds, with the woman I love, my life partner, who knows me so well and believes in my abilities and has been nourishing my confidence for over the past twenty five years together (soon to be twenty four in marriage) to pursue my youthful dreams. How do I shout loud enough from the windswept mountain tops so that Judy, you can hear how much I love you?! Let the winds carry my voice and love to you. You are my love, mother to my children, spiritual spark. Thank you for being you-always honest, giving, tough-minded, witty, ever beautiful on a rainwalk, roadtrip, or romantic evening.
Where was I? Oh yes, RITA stops. Back to Vail. So we got back to cycling. Vail restroom transformation back to cool cyclist attire. Road warriors once again. We drove a short way west to the junction of I-70W and Rt24 (known as Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway) and put in alongside the road near the town of Minturn.
Yes! Cool air, sizzling wheel-spinning squeals as I rapidly approach warp speed. What pleasure! A wide open valley greets me at the base. Usual eye-spoiling expanse of inspiring snow covered mountains layered behind the lower hills. Grazing land. I ascend a curve and we meet up again to ride through the historic mining town of Leadville, CO. Old western saloon but no time or desire for a sip now. We continue south on Rt24, leaving town quickly like bank robbers on horseback.
It is early evening, cooling, gentle warmth to my cheeks. Another beautiful valley, this one wetlands for miles. Mountains beside us. Road gently spinning downhill for miles. Streams coalescing, churning through grasses. A river is born. Here is the infant crawling of the mighty Arkansas River. Oh my! How many times earlier in our ride through Arkansas and the Midwest had we crossed this endless river and all the humans, cattle, horses, wildlife of all kinds, insects, trees and plants who utilize its vital Colorado snowfall for their nourishing waters. Right here, in this valley, between Leadville and Twin Lakes this river is created. I see it happen. If flies narrowly at first, only a mere 5-10 feet across, easy to traversed, but in just a few miles its velocity streams forward, incessant towards the Mississippi, its own journey's end. Why the rush, I ask.
I am enjoying the evening ride. I have no lead in my legs from the shortened Mt Evans climb of yesterday. I am over my trials now. I am Bikeoo Buddha once again. I am in love with nature and all its wonders. I have seen the water's origins that sustain life. I am at peace and very happy in my soul.
I travel onward. Arkansas beside me. She is beautiful rushing faster now than my legs can peddle this man-made machine. A turn on Rt82 to head west. Last climb to test the stalky legs into the sundown. A massive lake appears to my left. Then its smaller twin. We are near. Further ascent to a crest then a final descent. Two mountain peaks invaginated at their center core. Snow-covered. They will be our breakfast to engorge on tomorrow.
We arrive at the historic Twin Lakes Inn. A quiet secretive gem in the Rockies along this great scenic roadway. Hard to not feel romantic with the cozy appointed unique rooms. We shower and settle into a delicious dinner. I enjoy the very generous portion of eggplant parmigiana and know instinctively that I have refilled my energy stores. The Inn is a genuine RITA stop making me long all the more for my wife to return here with me someday to walk along the lakes and enjoy each other's being in the mountains. For Doug, Maggie, and Andy - who own and manage the Inn with a relaxed demeanor, ever seeming to make their guests comfortable - let's just say that I really hope to see you again soon! (next time, of course, with my wife!).
A wonderful day. No lead in my Leadville legs. I have recovered. I sleep well. RITA on my mind... Famed cyclist's climbing lore - Independence Pass - awaits us tomorrow morning.
Photos
Indexes:
Weather: (10)
Terrain: (9)
Scenic: (8)
Wildlife and Roadkill:
W-birds
R-raccoon, skunk, birds
Medical Report:
none
Bike Report:
none
Still Having Fun: (10)
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