Day 7 Clear Creek Reservoir to Buena Vista

Today was an easy one. We descended from camp on single track on another south facing sage brush slope. If it weren't for all the 14ers towering to the west John could of swore he was back in NM. We had to bypass 2 more wilderness areas, Mount Massive and the Collegiate Peaks, by riding thru Buena Vista. Dave was planing to meet us there today- hitching a ride if his leg was still bad or riding the highway down from Pbville if it was better. As we stopped to admire the reservoir a red-yellow-orange blip speed by on the highway a mile away. "That has to be Dave. Who else would wear such obnoxious colors on the CT?" We had been giving him grief all trip about his choice of riding jersey but now we were glad he did not blend in. John raced ahead to rain him in. His leg was mending well so he and John took the hwy the rest of the way to BV while Cassi and I turned on County Road (CR) 371. What a scenic detour. It followed the old RR grade right next to the Arkansas River. We waved to rafters, pedaled thru RR tunnels and dipped our feet in the cool fast flowing current. We meet at Punky's in old BV for lunch and satisfied our craving for fried food and ice cream. Beer would have to wait. As this was our last town for 5 days, lots of errands were in order. First we hit the showers and laundry mat. John rounded up another 3 pounds of gear (1/2 of which were the first week's maps) and mailed it home. The Trailhead supplied John with a new rear tire (he'd had a sidewall tear since day 2) and refilled our camp fuel bottles. Though tempted we avoided buying more gear aided by flashbacks of pushing bikes uphill thru the snow at 12000 ft. The natural food store and City Market restocked our hamper. We were set. That afternoon, feeling a little edgy from only riding half a day, I explored the trails just east of town across the river. They were a fun mix of old RR grade, wagon road and single track and a blast to ride especially unencumbered of touring gear. BV seems to be booming- new parks, medical clinic, etc. There was even a new urbanism development being built just SE of downtown by the river, complete with brew pub (which we thoroughly inspected) and bouldering park (also thoroughly inspected). I could see myself living here. Though we all enjoyed BV and its amenities, we were itching to leave. Tomorrow was our chance to get away- 5 days in the wilderness before the next town. We couldn't wait.