Day 8: Salida to Pueblo, Colorado. 95 miles. 2500 feet of climb.

The day was broken up by that big climb in the middle.  The first 40+ miles were a downhill dream through the canyons.  The last 40 miles were rollers along the prairie.  Huge contrast in topographies and temperatures.

Last riding day before a break.  And I could surely use it.  It's less about the muscle fatigue and more about the mental fatigue.  And, once again, I've proven to myself that I need to stay focused.  

Sunrise in Salida.  That's our breakfast stop this morning.  Huge omelets and great pancakes.  As advertised.

This morning was no exception to that rule.  We all got up early this morning both because it was going to be a long day as well as the temperatures in Pueblo expected to be in the high 90's.  We broke from our usual 'eat breakfast at the hotel, then load our gear and take off' routine this morning.  On those days, we usually eat at 6 a.m. and load at 7 a.m. and leave.  This morning, with temperatures in the upper 40's, we loaded at 6 a.m. and headed for breakfast at a favorite pancake place just up the road (in the opposite direction from the day's route).  This, then, messed up my pre-ride routine.  I packed, loaded, and was about to head out when I realized I hadn't taken my bike gloves with me this morning (so much for careful planning the night before).  But it got worse.  More bad planning.  I normally fill up my water bottles the night before and leave them in the refrigerator in the room before putting them in the bottle cages in the morning.  Today, I just left them in the room's refrigerator.  It didn't dawn on me while riding over for breakfast or even when I first got on the road.  I wound up realizing my mistake about five miles into the ride when I reached down to grab a bottle only to realize they weren't there.  I wound up compensating during much of the ride by buying bottled water at a number of convenience stores.

Yes, I need this break tomorrow!

Leaving the snowcapped mountains as we rode out of Salida.

Today was sharp contrast between the morning's ride and that of the afternoon.  More specifically, before the climb up Royal Gorge and afterwards.  For the first 45 miles, we followed the Arkansas River as it flowed downstream from Monarch Mountain.  All along the way, we were weaving in and out of canyons.  All along the river in the early morning hours, there were lots of fly fishermen.  Later in the morning and more downstream where the river widened out, they were replaced by whitewater rafters.

What started off as a narrow river soon expanded into a roaring, whitewater marvel.  It was also amazing to feel the difference in temperatures in and out of the sun as we road through the canyons carved by the river.  The temperatures would easily drop 10-15 degrees in a matter of seconds.

First canyon out of Salida.  All canyon.  No sheep.

That first 45 miles was such a cyclist's dream.  All downhill, hardly peddling and, if so, all in the big ring and doing speeds of over 25-40 miles per hour (depending on ability and degree of fearlessness).

This was a must see shot just before the canyons.  

After the climb up Royal Gorge, everything changed.  We were out of the canyons and what was left of the Rockies and into the start of the prairies.  The temperatures soared well into the 90's, although the consensus temperature from at least six different bike computers was over 103 degrees (again, bike computers are usually catching the ambient heat of the roadway as opposed to the air temperature, so they'll always report higher).

The end of the Rockies.  The beginning of the Great Plains.

I'm always going on about the crappy or narrow (or both) roads along the route.  In fairness, this was an example of a primo road just before coming into Canon City.  Two lanes.  Wide shoulder.  And clean…no debris.  Excellent!

To take a break from the heat of the day, to explore one of the small towns along our bike route and to try and find a replacement water bottle, I veered off the main route on Highway 50 to explore downtown Canon City.  There, I found a number of small cafes, interesting stores and a bike shop/coffee bar called, depending on your priorities, Red Canyon Cyclists or the Bean Peddlers.  Got my water bottle and a cold beverage and a bathroom break.  Very nice store and even nicer staff.

Alissa insisted on taking my picture for their website.  I guess it's not everyday they get cross country riders popping in for liquid refreshments.  So I insisted she pose for this shot for my blog.  Bikes and brewed coffees.  Great combination.

We're in Pueblo for our rest day.  I've booked a massage for tomorrow morning, then will explore the town, buy some supplies, do laundry and just chill.  Ahead are back-to-back centuries as we leave Colorado and make our way into Kansas.