7/8/2011, Dakota Hot Springs to Sweetwater Camp ground, Texas Creek, CO
D65km, T4.3hrs, Av 14.55, T 3739km
Leaving the springs early, finding the gate closed on the highway another guy and his girl were waiting to get back to the CS. He had just bought a second hand Dodge Ram pickup,5.7 litres of petrol guzzling grunt. He was still using the full tank supplied on purchase. At $3.50/gal, a tad scary unless flush.
One of the staff at the springs was cycling through to Canon City, so he opened the gate at about 0830hrs, we rode together for about 30 minutes yarning. By this time a westerly was in full swing, we were heading west. He was on a road bike and had to get to church. I had no appointment and time on my side.
Riding past some correctional complexes in the desert, later finding out that this area is littered with these institutions, be they federal or state.
The likes of Timothy McVey were here and the uni bomber still resides in the max job. Iraqi bad boys are here too. Max security allows 1 hr outside a day and is otherwise solitary.
These days the locals are not told of their infamous neighbours. Gottis son bought a home in Canon City to be close to his dad before he passed away. His close proximity may also have aided his business dealings with his dad. We will never know.
If you are ever in Canon City, the Waffle Wagon is the place to eat, a queue of locals proved that, diner style with great service and all the coffeee you can drink.
There were three steps out of Canon City, once at the top it was just the best ride through the Royal gorge. The Arkansas River was my constant companion. A beautiful river, reminescent of NZ rivers in Hawkes Bay. It held an abundant fishery of Rainbow and Brown trout. The brown were more prevalent as they ate the rainbow fingerlings. The rainbow though present all year required stocking. There is no size limit.
Fisherpersons were seen all through the gorge.
Many rafting companies operate here, the river was transporting a multitude of rafts filled with excited people down stream. Many waved as we intersected on our journey through the gorge.
For two days now I have had the horrid horrhoea and have had to pull over and sort things out.
Consequently I am deriving little energy from what I eat. A rest area was ever so conveniently located to coincide with a discharge cycle. By now I was feeling pretty ordinary and low on go. Reaching Salida was not an option.
Pulling in at the Texas Creek, aided in some energy intake, it was 35℃ outside, with no humidity, yet inside the diner I was getting the chills. The bod needed a rest, enquiring with the girls, always girls serving in diners, they informed me of a campground two miles away.
I needed some rest and a good long nights sleep.
The scenery through this gorge is outstanding, with the Arknsas river directly below and alongside the road, a rail track on the opposite bank and rocky sparsely vegetated ranges on both sides falling steeply into the fast flowing clear river. This is Bighorn Sheep country shared with the ever so shy Mountain Lion.
Soaking up the atmosphere of my surroundings, it’s easy to see why so many people call Colarado home and visit here.
From a cycling point of view, mountain bikers have got it made here. Shoulders from Canon City were ok but once in the gorge they were very narrow. At times it was imperative that a line was held, this can be so difficult at low speed in a low gear. Balance plays a crucial role.
I find the best way to negotiate roads without shoulders is:
1. Stay on the asphalt.
2. Keep a true line, that way your intentions are clear.
3. Dont go off onto the gravel shoulder, often it is soft and you will come off.
4. Try not to look back.
5. Dont play music, you need to hear all traffic
6. Be wary of traffic meeting at your location.
7. Only change these strategies if you get an aggressive horn blast. (none to date)
A guy at the Waffle Wagon spoke to me about this hazard, he was not the only person to do so. I thank them all.
Pulling in at Sweetwater camp area, I chose an idyllic site across the river with grass covering a flat river bank. It meant taking the bike across a swing bridge. To gain access. This was achieved with some help. Luckily the steps on the far side were not steep.
It had been a busy, social two weeks, I needed to give things a rest. I feel the MR may have held something that did not agree with me and was ingested during the day on the yacht.
Annoyed is a gross understatement when referring to the death of my camera. The last time it got launched from my bar bag in Moline a ding was sustained where the lense retracts. So here I am in this state of extreme beauty unable to record it in a pictorial medium.
It will have to be replaced on my arrival back in Pueblo or CS.
I set up the palace, had a shower and drop a few panadol and nested. The noise of gentle rapids and cool air made for ideal sleeping conditions.
D65km, T4.3hrs, Av 14.55, T 3739km
Leaving the springs early, finding the gate closed on the highway another guy and his girl were waiting to get back to the CS. He had just bought a second hand Dodge Ram pickup,5.7 litres of petrol guzzling grunt. He was still using the full tank supplied on purchase. At $3.50/gal, a tad scary unless flush.
One of the staff at the springs was cycling through to Canon City, so he opened the gate at about 0830hrs, we rode together for about 30 minutes yarning. By this time a westerly was in full swing, we were heading west. He was on a road bike and had to get to church. I had no appointment and time on my side.
Riding past some correctional complexes in the desert, later finding out that this area is littered with these institutions, be they federal or state.
The likes of Timothy McVey were here and the uni bomber still resides in the max job. Iraqi bad boys are here too. Max security allows 1 hr outside a day and is otherwise solitary.
These days the locals are not told of their infamous neighbours. Gottis son bought a home in Canon City to be close to his dad before he passed away. His close proximity may also have aided his business dealings with his dad. We will never know.
If you are ever in Canon City, the Waffle Wagon is the place to eat, a queue of locals proved that, diner style with great service and all the coffeee you can drink.
There were three steps out of Canon City, once at the top it was just the best ride through the Royal gorge. The Arkansas River was my constant companion. A beautiful river, reminescent of NZ rivers in Hawkes Bay. It held an abundant fishery of Rainbow and Brown trout. The brown were more prevalent as they ate the rainbow fingerlings. The rainbow though present all year required stocking. There is no size limit.
Fisherpersons were seen all through the gorge.
Many rafting companies operate here, the river was transporting a multitude of rafts filled with excited people down stream. Many waved as we intersected on our journey through the gorge.
For two days now I have had the horrid horrhoea and have had to pull over and sort things out.
Consequently I am deriving little energy from what I eat. A rest area was ever so conveniently located to coincide with a discharge cycle. By now I was feeling pretty ordinary and low on go. Reaching Salida was not an option.
Pulling in at the Texas Creek, aided in some energy intake, it was 35℃ outside, with no humidity, yet inside the diner I was getting the chills. The bod needed a rest, enquiring with the girls, always girls serving in diners, they informed me of a campground two miles away.
I needed some rest and a good long nights sleep.
The scenery through this gorge is outstanding, with the Arknsas river directly below and alongside the road, a rail track on the opposite bank and rocky sparsely vegetated ranges on both sides falling steeply into the fast flowing clear river. This is Bighorn Sheep country shared with the ever so shy Mountain Lion.
Soaking up the atmosphere of my surroundings, it’s easy to see why so many people call Colarado home and visit here.
From a cycling point of view, mountain bikers have got it made here. Shoulders from Canon City were ok but once in the gorge they were very narrow. At times it was imperative that a line was held, this can be so difficult at low speed in a low gear. Balance plays a crucial role.
I find the best way to negotiate roads without shoulders is:
1. Stay on the asphalt.
2. Keep a true line, that way your intentions are clear.
3. Dont go off onto the gravel shoulder, often it is soft and you will come off.
4. Try not to look back.
5. Dont play music, you need to hear all traffic
6. Be wary of traffic meeting at your location.
7. Only change these strategies if you get an aggressive horn blast. (none to date)
A guy at the Waffle Wagon spoke to me about this hazard, he was not the only person to do so. I thank them all.
Pulling in at Sweetwater camp area, I chose an idyllic site across the river with grass covering a flat river bank. It meant taking the bike across a swing bridge. To gain access. This was achieved with some help. Luckily the steps on the far side were not steep.
It had been a busy, social two weeks, I needed to give things a rest. I feel the MR may have held something that did not agree with me and was ingested during the day on the yacht.
Annoyed is a gross understatement when referring to the death of my camera. The last time it got launched from my bar bag in Moline a ding was sustained where the lense retracts. So here I am in this state of extreme beauty unable to record it in a pictorial medium.
It will have to be replaced on my arrival back in Pueblo or CS.
I set up the palace, had a shower and drop a few panadol and nested. The noise of gentle rapids and cool air made for ideal sleeping conditions.
