Man, Motorcycle, Mountains
Day 13 -- Colorado
It was a very pleasant 62 degrees when I left Montrose at 630am headed south on highway 550, also known as the Million Dollar Highway.
I was headed up into the mountains again when I stopped for coffee and this pic in Ridgway.
The next town was Ouray, a very quaint town at the bottom of the pass to Silverton. The main street was blocked while they were taking a town picture--must have been 200 people in the road.
This first pass of the day was the most trechorous with narrow roads and no rails. Glad I was fresh and rested. I've decided I am a better operator when I am fresh.
Saw quite a few of these signs.
Despite wearing my warmest gloves, my fingers were getting numb by the time I got to the 11,000 foot top of the pass. Then down to Silverton, a town at 9300 feet, where I sought warmth and coffee at a local store. Then up again to Molar Pass, 10,900 feet.
Saw this old, abandoned mine on my way up the pass. Then down to Durango where I turned east on highway 160. I'd been anxious to start heading east towards home.
Stopped in Pagosa Springs for lunch, this is the view from my picnic table. From there I headed up to cross Wolf Creek Pass, 10,850 feet. This was a very fun pass to ride, it included several tunnels and very good roads complete with passing lanes. I road with all my leather on until 130 when it finally warmed up. When I got to Alamosa at 2pm, my original stopping destination for the day, I decided to press on towards home, hoping that I can ride 3 days worth of miles in 2 days and get home sooner. So, it was up for my 4th pass of the day, North La Veta Pass, only 9413 feet.
I took this last picture of mountains as I started across the hot, dry, & barren part of Colorado.
I worked hard today, riding 417 miles, 4 passes, and some very hot stretches at the last, landing in La Junta, CO for the night, tired and achy and in need of a shower. Tomorrow, 545 miles to get home across the most boring land there is. I'll get an early start and be so anxious to see my wife and family.
It was a very pleasant 62 degrees when I left Montrose at 630am headed south on highway 550, also known as the Million Dollar Highway.
The next town was Ouray, a very quaint town at the bottom of the pass to Silverton. The main street was blocked while they were taking a town picture--must have been 200 people in the road.
Despite wearing my warmest gloves, my fingers were getting numb by the time I got to the 11,000 foot top of the pass. Then down to Silverton, a town at 9300 feet, where I sought warmth and coffee at a local store. Then up again to Molar Pass, 10,900 feet.
I worked hard today, riding 417 miles, 4 passes, and some very hot stretches at the last, landing in La Junta, CO for the night, tired and achy and in need of a shower. Tomorrow, 545 miles to get home across the most boring land there is. I'll get an early start and be so anxious to see my wife and family.
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