June 12, 2014

6/12/14 Pueblo West to Colorado Springs - 48 miles

Woke up to very cloudy and overcast skies. However, the forecast was for just cloudy until possible pm thunderstorms, so I hoped that we might once again skirt rain and storms if we got out early. The map showed approximately 58 miles to Colorado Springs via scenic byway Hwy 115. This was the same route we took from Colorado Springs to Canon City in reverse.

It was quite cool outside, but luckily very little wind and Hwy 50 was a succession of easy rolling hills up and down. The scenery was pretty much that scrubby looking grassland, with mountains in the distance pretty much on all sides. We were once again on the Adventure Cycling TRANSAMERICA route. After about 10 miles or so, I pulled out Google maps and found a couple of alternate routes that appeared to cut across to Hwy 115 and eliminate a good 10 miles. The first couple of alternatives I eliminated because they were on county roads and, as we learned yesterday, these are often dirt roads. Didn't want to get stuck on dirt roads in the rain. So, we continued on Hwy 50 until I spied an alternative on K street near Penrose that looked like a shortcut on a paved road. Thankfully, I was right, and we cut off 5-6 miles.

As soon as we got on Hwy 115, there was a very long, slow, fairly steep incline of probably 3/4 miles. At the top, I prepared to settle in and wait for LaDonna, because I knew her legs had to be very tired from yesterday's 68 mile adventure on all manner of roads. To my surprise and delight, when I turned around, LaDonna was still pedaling and almost to the top! She had made it the whole way without having to get off and push. This was a huge improvement from the beginning of the ride and a major accomplishment. We celebrated as she caught up to me. I think the combination of having learned how to gear the bike more effectively and her increasing physical conditioning level over the past two weeks was the reason she was able to bike all the way to the top.

We continued on towards Colorado Springs, stopping for our picnic lunch of peanut butter sandwiches, apples, and chips along the side of the road. The scenery returned to nearby mountains, but luckily we were mostly on downhills instead of inclines and the ride was fairly easy. Approximately 5 miles outside Colorado Springs, a car stopped ahead and a man got out to ask about our ride and make suggestions as to where to stay and places to eat. He is a biker, but not much into long distance touring. Another example of the kindness of strangers.

The final 4-5 miles into Colorado Springs was pretty much a downhill coast. However, the traffic picked up and we had to really pay attention to the in-town traffic. Found a nice reasonable little Rodeway Inn and checked in. 

After getting cleaned up, we rode the 1 mile into town for dinner at Il Vincio, an Italian restaurant recommended by some folks at a bike shop last week. We hesitated, as there was a huge black storm cloud brewing and it definitely looked like rain was coming. However, we threw caution to the wind, rationalizing that the rain wasn't supposed to come for an hour or so and that if we got wet it would only be for a mile. The dinner was fabulous. We had a small spinach, red pepper, pine nut and goat cheese salad, with a small artichoke, Gorgonzola, chicken, rosemary and mushroom pizza on this wonderful light crust. As we sat at the covered sidewalk table, it started to rain, followed by hail. I began to worry a little about the return ride to the motel. Alas, by the time we finished eating, the rain and hail had stopped. Another weather miracle - seems to have been the theme of the trip. We easily coasted back to the motel and settled in for the night.

Tomorrow we backtrack back to Castle Rock along the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail and the Santa Fe Trail, approximately 50 miles, before the final leg to Aurora on Saturday.