Start: Delta, CO
Finish: Moab, UT
Total Bike Mileage: 105.0
Cumulative Bike Mileage: 1975.9 miles
Excited to begin our desert journeys over the next 10 days, we awoke early, had quick but nourishing breakfast at the hotel and then packed and drove 30 mi northwest from Delta to out-in on cycles at the junction of Hwy 50 and Rt141 (the Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic Byway) near Whitewater, CO.
Here at Gateway stands giant majestic red buttes of the Palisade Wilderness Area - proud, aged to perfection by waters and winds over millions of years, sentinels to the hidden gems of the Dolores River canyon ahead. At this junction also stood the Gateway Canyons Resort, a compelling RITA spot to enjoy on return someday. Adobe accommodations interspersed with desert landscaping and all the fixings of resort comforts truly secreted in a spiritually uplifting place.
The Canyons Resort grounds includes the Gateway Auto Museum which houses an amazing private collection of vintage automobiles owned by collector and Discovery Channel founder, John Hendricks. Anyone remotely interested in the history of cars or their design beauty should visit. These are fantastic specimens housed here and restored to perfection.
We continued onward. A 50 mi slowly ascending section now through a tremendously picturesque mini-Grand Canyon, with the Dolores River swimming towards and weaving beside us, that would ultimately bring us to Naturita, CO by mile 94.
Soon after departing Gateway, Peter very sadly receives word from South Africa that his dear 96yo mother has passed away. We are in a desolate area. Except for an occasional car we see no other humans, very few cattle in the summer heat. Peter will need to return to South Africa for funeral arrangements. No cell phone service for 50 miles. We determine our options. Peter will depart tomorrow from Moab, UT to begin his long journey home. He wants to return and rejoin the Blaze journey afterwards. His dedication to the trip and our ongoing bonds of friendship very evident. Journeys will occasionally take unpredictable turns.
We continue on to Naturita, CO. Small town at the mouth of the great canyon ride. We eat dinner at Blondies Drive-In and Cafe, a simple burger-type joint. Nourishing and refreshing vanilla shake.
Evening. Only 1-2hrs of sun remaining. We drive from Naturita along Rt90 through the town of Bedrock and steeply climb up the eastern section of the La Sal mountain pass. Peter drops us off at the apex. We spin down through a beautiful passage during sundown which leads to challenging rollers that eventually brings us across the Utah state border. Sunset over La Sal. Beautiful! Nightfall. We end the ride and van the remainder to Moab, UT. Check-in to ACT Campground where the four of us stay in an enormous yurt. Sleeping futons on floor.
Peter makes flight arrangements for the morning. Moab, UT to Denver, Co to Atlanta, GA to Johannesburg, South Africa. He will rejoin us a week later in Las Vegas, NV. He will be just about circumnavigating the globe and then returning.
The Blaze Brothers respect Peter's desire to return. Vik, Mike and I will continue on the next day sharing van driving duties on a rotating basis. We will share the bicycling miles collaboratively. No other option presents itself well. Team effort. The journey continues. Our hearts quieted by Peter's loss. We sleep in the yurt together like a bonded Bedouin family.
Stage 26 Photos
Indexes
Weather: (9)
toasty in the desert but we a good day to acclimate
Terrain: (8)
Tough chip road was jarring on body for a large extent of the day
Scenic: (10)
Endurance: (8.5)
Less energy in am, improved significantly after first 25mi
Medical Report:
sore hands
Bike Report:
None
Wildlife and Roadkill:
W-lizards, jackrabbits, deer
R-snakes, jackrabbits, cow
Still Having Fun: (9)
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