Guest Cyclist

Day: 250 (WOW!!)
Gould to Rabbit Ears Pass
Time: 5:10
Distance: 48.3 miles
Avg Speed: 9.4 mph
Terrain: rolling

We had our first guest cyclist of the trip today. Anne came up from Ft. Collins this morning armed with her mountain bike and a bag of food. We had requested more food from her, and she exceeded our expectations (chocolate chip cookies). She left her car in Gould at the good old KOA and we took off on some back dirt roads heading for Rabbit Ears pass. We made good time across the vast openness of North Park and even had time to take some pictures and grab some lunch. Our guest’s departure came only 3 hours into the ride, so Anne missed out on the 15 miles of headwinds to our camp for the night.
The ride through North Park took us from Gould to Rand and over Muddy Pass. The whole time we were either looking ahead at the spectacular Mt Zirkel Wilderness or behind us at the rugged and amazing Rawahs. Most of the ride kept us in cattle country with only the occasional glimpse of antelope. We did have a little concern at one point riding through an open range section with about 10 bulls grazing in a pasture off the road. I think I would have been the sacrificial lamb since both Leslie and Anne would have dropped me. We ate lunch sheltered from the wind near a dump truck parked on the side of the road. Cheddar and jalapeno bagels taste great with peanut butter on them. After lunch our guest cyclist took leave and left Leslie and I the 15 miles to Muddy Pass. At 8300’, Muddy Pass marks our first crossing of the continental divide on this trip. It is also pass #2 for us. We will make #3 tomorrow. We will be enjoying some food that arrived via special delivery for us and having a good sleep parked on the side of the road tonight. Tomorrow…Rabbit Ears!!
CK