Section 4 Silverthorne, CO to Platoro, CO - D21

06/06/30 Day 21 Colorado  Salida, Poncha Springs, Sargents, Doyleville, Luder Creek Campground (92 miles)

We have been riding for 3 weeks.

It was a clear morning leaving Salida.  Del Norte was the next “major” services spot but we felt it was too far given the elevation between to make in one push so we knew we’d be camping somewhere. 

Heading out paved Hwy 120, about 6 miles from Salida, my 2 cups of coffee needed an exit strategy.  Pee stops on the side of the road are just what we do but this was a pretty trafficked area - we had to find a real place to stop.  We could see the sign of a gas station on the edge of Poncha Springs.  As we topped the hill and the station came into full view, I said to STB “See that truck and Airstream down there?  You will never guess who that is?”  All she said was “No shit?”  My ex-husband.  The randomness of the universe knows no bounds.  Letting go…metaphors….

After Poncha Springs, we climbed the next 10 miles going up and over Marshall Pass (10,842ft) and the CD.  We continued on dirt and at about mile 43 we stopped for lunch and supplies in Sargents.  It had been raining some and we were cold.  The Tomichi Creek Trading post thankfully had soup and coffee.  Will and Reinhold where already there and the S. Africans soon followed so it was a group lunch.  I ordered a sandwich to go for dinner that night.  We reviewed the cues - making plans.  Kevin Off, a Del Norte local was noted to have a place that he made available to cyclists and we wanted to stay there the next night.  Notes taken, food consumed. 

Canoe in a dead windmill.  It spoke to me. 

Hazy view

Storms rolling in

There was paved road to Doyleville then dirt on wide exposed rolling hills.  Again with the micro burst dust storms and more ditch diving. 

I got my first (and only) flat today.  The sealant did its job but not until after some nerve racking time.  I am un-used to tubeless setups and regret not spending more time learning bike mechanics. 

We had several “small” climbs that sure felt like passes.  The daylight was fading (into a beautiful sunset I might add) as we crossed the CD again at Cochetopa Pass (10,067ft) and it was almost dark as we pulled into the campground.  The group was already there and had a fire going but we wanted to camp nearer the toilets.  We found the park hosts who let us warm up at their fire and they also gave us ½ gallon of water.  We had expected to have water at the campground.  The concrete toilets were perfect to use for wind break so the bivys got pitched against the side and our food stored inside since we were again in bear country.  Dinner was my now soggy sandwich, donuts and cookies.  I climbed snug into the bivy and for a while looked at the stars. 

 

Tried to capture a lovely sunset

Marker at Cochetopa  Pass