2015-07-02 Day 4: Fairplay to Blue River Lake, CO

We crested over the snowy continental divide this morning at Hoosier Pass (11,542 feet above sea level). This is our 1st of 9 crossings of the continental divide this summer and by far the highest. Someone has to say it so it might as well be me, "We are just a little bit awesome". It is the little things that people do that make this ride interesting. Painted on the road surface just prior to the final 4 mile steep pitch to the top were 4 words of encouragement "YOU CAN DO THIS".

After leaving the summit, we got a gravity induced thrill ride down several thousand feet on the west side of the mountains. It was exhilarating to be able to travel downhill through marvelous scenery mile after mile for the first time on this trip. Got to ride through Breckenridge, Co - the town that ski dollars built. Even in the height of summer, Breckenridge really had it going.

We met Jeff today while climbing up to the pass. He has already been on his bike for two months on a ride from Anchorage, Alaska to his home in Miami, Florida. Wow! I thought we were crazy. I also stopped and talked with an older couple perhaps 70 years young who are riding fully loaded bikes across the country for the second time.

Tonight we are camping outside the tiny group of buildings called Heeney, Co. It is the Thursday prior to the July 4th holiday and the camp ground is really hopping. It looked completely full when we pulled in. As we looked around for a site, a guy came over to say he would share his site. His name was Jim. He and his buddy Mark had their kids out for the weekend. Jim is also a biker and knew we needed food, drink, and shelter. We did find our own camp site but many thanks to Jim and Mark for providing us beer, dinner, conversation, and for charging our phones and cameras.

Speaking of food, I had a Buffalo burger yesterday and Antelope sausage today. When in the west you should try the local wildlife. PS. Both were really good.

As a final note, we rode along the South Platte river up to the crest of the mountains and the Blue River down the west side. Both rivers had significant sections dredged back in the gold rush days in the late 1800(s). The amount of gravel and rock that lies in enormous ribbons along both sides of the rivers is unbelievable. See the picture to the right. It is in stark contrast to the beauty all around.