Abiquiu

24/9/08
Well, we're in Abiquiu, but had to detour to get here.
A few days ago we got 3/4's up Indianna Pass and got informed that the route past Summitville was closed due to pipelaying works. A bit pissed being an understatement.
So it was back down to Del Norte, stay another night there and detour on road via Pagosa and Charma. Don't worry, Wolf Pass into a head wind was plenty tough enough on top of the aborted Indianna Pass climb. In fact we're doing more km's and more climbing overall.

Tonight we're at the Abiquiu Inn (very nice) and tomorrow prob at a friend of Scotts a few miles away (there is no campsite in Abiquiu itself).
A rest day tomorrow as we've been doing some long rides and to get out of Abiquiu involves one of the harder climbs of the whole trip I gather. Time will tell.
Will update the last fews day etc tomorrow.

23/9/08 Pagosa Springs - Charma 92km (on road)
An undulating day on the road. Nice scenery but definitely prefer the off road.
The MP3 player was a good move.
Nice CG at Charma tho, and in by 3pm.


22/9/08 Del Norte - Pagosa Springs 95km (on road)
An easy 20km to South Fork, then turned into the wind for an uptulating warm-up prior to a big road climb over Wolf Pass with a strong head wind. An extra 3,000ft climbing for the route I guess and I was feeling it. Eventually topped out with another CD crossing and then a huge descent that required pedaling due to the strong headwind.


21/9/09 Del Norte - Del Norte (should have ended up past Indianna Pass)
A late'ish start due to tent drying then off for some uptulating road riding as a warm up to the big Indianna Pass. Then into low gear (well, maybe hitting 3rd occaisionally) and start the grind. A bit wet as well which cleared.
And then the news we didn't need.
A guy in a truck came down and told us that the road higher up was closed due to pipe laying works and that we couldn't get thru, doh! And we'd gotten 3/4's up to boot. So, after a bit of discussion we sped back down to Del Norte with the aim to detour on road to Abiquiu.
A real bummer as it was the biggest climb which we'd miss. Prob would have pushed on if by myself to see just how closed it really was (surely a bicycle could get thru!), but thats decision by committee I guess (time was also getting on, plus the weather wasn't too stable, and a rider had been turned back at the top the week before).



20/9/08 Ludder Creek - Del Norte
I got away first by myself which was quite nice, esp as it was a nice descent through a canyon and more aspens. Great way to start the day. Some tarmac and then an OK climb up to Carnero Pass past some nice rock formations etc. Topped out at 10,167ft then another nice descent. Had planned to camp somewhere after the descent but with nothing really suitable we decided to carry onto Del Norte. No probs and a good move. Chris and I just got there before the arvo rainstorm which caught some of the others. Yah for petrol stations I guess. Eventually got set up in the CG and the a speedy grocery shop (five days worth - think lite) and off for dinner at Boogies. A good day, plus we made up a day as that was two days worth of riding by the book.




19/9/08 Sargants - Ludder Creek
Nice not have to dry tents etc for a change. And a nice 20km road downhill as a warm up before easy undulating dirt road again. Am liking the Colorado dirt road conditions. An easy climb over Cochetopa Pass and along to the CG. The pump was not working but some RV'ers kindly gave us plenty so we didn't need to pump straight from the creek. Otherwise a nice CG amongst Apens.



18/9/08 Salida - Sargants
Decided against replacing my semi broken pedal after a bit of procrastination, and a $140 price tag. One side works OK so should be fine.
A short road section past Poncha Springs while my stomach wasn't feeling too flash. Then off road for 3,000ft climb. OK tho as it was again a railway gradient, and quite nice thru Aspens etc. But I really struggled for some reason and was glad to get to the top. Lunch and then another wicked fast descent to Sargants. Twice, my bear spray canister went flying out of its holder when going over some dips. We got a couple of Teepee's instead of our own tents. Quite nice for a change although still cool in the morning despite a gas fire going in the middle of the Teepee all night.