Day 52: Currant Creek Hostel, CO to Fairplay, CO (42 miles, 2425 total)

Colorado is amazing! So far it is my favorite state (I think it is AK's too) which is a good thing since we are moving here as soon as the ride is done. The views just cannot be beat.

AK and I packed up and rolled out of the hostel by 7AM. We biked along Route 9 in almost total seclusion. Everywhere we could possibly look, we would see the most amazing views. Sprawling hillsides dotted with trees filled the horizon.

After about 7 miles, we reached Currant Creek Pass at 9,400 feet. As we reached the summit, we got our first view of the snow-capped peaks of the Rockies. It was spectacular, and it was the first time that the magnitude of the distance we have traveled really set in. Words don't begin to describe how spectacular the view was, and looking at it felt great.

After cresting the pass, we biked through more amazing scenery. I did take a lot of photos, unfortunately, I don't think the camera will do it justice. You will just have to see it for yourself!

On the way into Hartsel, we dropped into an amazing and far-reaching plain, sandwiched between the mountain passes. We spotted a few deer and several herds of bison. The bison look like floating shadows in the distance on the plains.

After 22 miles, we arrived in Hartsel and decided to stop in for our second breakfast. We opted for the cafe rather than the place serving tamales which turned out to be the wrong choice. An hour an a half after ordering, our food finally arrived. Even though we left the hostel before any other of our companions, all off them arrived at the cafe before our food arrived. We warned them all of the long wait and each of them made the wise choice to eat elsewhere.

Unfortunately, during our 2 hour layover in the cafe, a stiff wind came up. We are travelling North towards Wyoming, and the wind was coming straight at us. We have officially experienced wind from all cardinal directions on this trip.

Luckily, the scenery offered more and more amazing views to compensate for the struggle with the wind. Bison roamed the open fields with snow-capped mountains in the distance, and we creeped along at speeds less than 9mph into the wind. I just didn't care though, I was having a great time.

We crossed over the middle fork of the South Platte River three times. Its waters are very clear and lots of people were fly fishing in the wind. I watched one man pull two trout out of the river in the span of about 10 minutes. Soon we arrived in Fairplay, and I sported my 3rd flat (our seventh of the trip, all of which are rear flats except for one).

We stopped in the market and bought the makings for pasta, fresh green beans, and brocoli, and headed for our "campground". Tonight we are camping behind the South Park Lodge with our cycling buddies (all except Sid who decided he had a bad day and went to a hotel). The stiff wind and the rough ground made setting up the tent a pain, but we eventually got it set.

We enjoyed a nice meal with our friends and shared some local Fat Tire Amber Ale (which is great).

Currently, we are at 10,000 feet and we sure noticed it when we were cooking our pasta. Al dente anyone? Tomorow we will reach the highest point on the route which is also the first time we cross the Continental Divide. I'm very excited we are actually doing this! Amazing!

Colorado has certianly stepped it up on the route marker signs. We passed several today and yesterday which puts CO right behind VA in the contest for the best marked state.

The sun just set behind the mountains and we are all headed to bed unsure if we will see any professional firework shows from our "campground". Other than the heavy traffic in town, it hardly feels like the Fourth.

Jeff