June 5, 2014

6/5/14 Rest day in Canon City

Started "rest day" early, as we had to be at the pickup station at 8:00 am for the ride to the Royal Gorge Train depot. Along the way, our driver told us all about the wildlife we were about to see -  bighorn sheep, deer, bears, birds, etc. The suspension bridge at Royal Gorge is the highest in the world at 1053 feet above the Arkansas River. The train lady told us that the difference between a canyon and a gorge is that a canyon is wide and a gorge is deep. 

The train trip took approximately 2 hours round trip, running alongside the Arkansas River and under the Royal Gorge Bridge. The bridge itself and the park are currently closed due to a fire that occurred a year ago. We spent the entire time standing in the outside car admiring the stunning views. Due to the runoff from recent heavy snows, the Arkansas River is at the highest levels since 2011, and commercial rafting on that portion that runs under the bridge is prohibited for the time being. We chatted with a number of folks from various parts of the country, and took each others' pictures. It was a pleasant trip, and just long enough. However, the only wildlife sighting was a single mule deer and a few highflying birds. Disappointing to say the least.

We learned that Canyon City's main business is correctional institutions. They have 12 prisons, 10 of which are currently operating, and have housed many notorious past and current inmates. The UniBomber is a current resident, and former inmates include mafia figures and Timothy McVeigh. The first WTC bombers. Canyon City's other main business is tourism, and especially whitewater rafting. 

After lunch, we donned wet suits and were transported some 10 miles or so west for the whitewater rafting. As mentioned previously, we were not able to raft under the Royal Gorge Bridge; however, there was plenty of class III -IV rapids and whitewater running through gorges with stunning views. Highway 50 runs alongside, and I kept thinking what a fabulous ride it would be with that whitewater in view. The weather was perfect - bright blue skies and mid-80's. Our guide, Mark, did a superb job leading us through some very exhilarating passes and relaying all sorts of history, geologic info, and background. There were two other men in our raft that are chefs at a local restaurant, and we all coordinated really well in the raft. I have been on a few raft trips over the years, but have to say that this was probably the best overall experience. LaDonna looked like she was in Heaven.

On the way back to town, who did we pass going in the opposite direction but the now fully loaded cross-country biker on the Trek. I guess he got off to a late start on the next leg. 

After our busy day, we were starving - so what else is new? We returned to our favorite dinner spot because of the free pie that comes with the early dinner. I had the chicken stir fry with all sorts of veggies, capped off by the apple pie a la mode. Delicious. This place claims to have the best pie in the world, and while I won't go that far, it is above average. Then again, everything tastes better when you are biking and hungry. 

Canon City has been a blast, but time to move on. Looks like either Salida or Westcliffe. 

June 4, 2014

6/4/14 Colorado Springs to Canon City - 45 miles

Got off to a late start because I had an initial pretrial conference call in one of my cases. The lawyer on the other side was supposed to initiate the call with the Court, but forgot about the hearing altogether, so it took a while to get everything done. What I hated was that I could feel myself in "business" mode, and annoyed. However, it all worked out as it always does. And in the greater scheme of things, was it really all that big of a deal? At the end of the call, after the Court had hung up, the lawyer apologized again and thanked me for my professionalism. That made feel worse because I knew how childish I reacted internally to the inconvenience. One of the lessons from my bike riding trips is to better "go with the flow" and look at challenges as opportunities to be cheerful in the circumstance, rather than let them ruin my moment or day. This has often resulted in unsuspected joyful blessings.  I certainly don't do that perfectly, but I am aware. And that is the first step.

The same desk clerk was on duty when we checked out. He had barely looked at us or spoken when we checked in - a rather joyless, dour young man. Apparently, he wasn't much of a morning person either. I made the most of it by wishing him a good day, and said a little prayer of blessing for him. We skipped the equally depressing continental breakfast at the motel.

Breakfast was at Smiley's in downtown Colorado Springs and it was fabulous. Eggs, bacon, cheese grits and homemade bread with cheerful accommodating servers to boot. They graciously allowed us to fill our water bottles for the anticipated uphill climb out of Colorado Springs and cheerfully wished us a safe trip. We finally exited town with a stunning view of Pikes Peek around 10:30 am and headed south on scenic byway Hwy 115. Destination was Canon City, some 45-50 miles away.

Highway 115 was somewhat of a mixed bag. The good news was that it was quite scenic and there was a good shoulder. The bad news (especially for LaDonna) was that there were a series of gradual and fairly steep inclines for almost 15-20 miles, and the traffic was heavier than I would have preferred. Every once in a while we would get a nice downhill coast, but those were few and far between. Generally, I would climb to the top of the incline or hill and wait for LaDonna, who frequently got off the bike and pushed.  She would catch up with me at the top of the hill smiling and saying "it's all good! I am just loving this." 

One of the things I started occupying myself with was watching the playful prairie dogs. They chattered and frolicked from mound to mound. Very cute.

Finally, we reached Hwy 50 and stopped for a Subway Veggie Delite before tackling the final 10 miles to Canon City, where we had decided to take a rest day on Thursday to give the legs a rest. We found a terrific motel at a very reasonable rate (being a member of AARP has definite advantages), and before I knew it I had signed us up for a half day train ride to view the suspension bridge at Royal Gorge and half day whitewater rafting down the Arkansas River. So much for a rest day. The lady desk clerk was very friendly and made us feel special and at home. 

As we headed out to find dinner, we came across a biker chaining his bike outside a local Mexican restaurant. It was a Trek 520 touring bike like mine, and I knew immediately that he had to be on a cross-country ride. He had that look in his eye and the touring biker swagger. Plus, Hwy 50 is on the Adventure Cycling TRANSAMERICA route. I approached and he was indeed on a cross-country ride. He started 2 months ago on the east coast and said he had had fabulous tailwinds most of the way. As we parted, I realized I had chills just talking with him about his cross-country ride - he laughed when I told him. 

Dinner was especially good as it was Wednesday a/k/a free pie night. I had warmed cherry pie that was quite delicious.  

Lots to do on Thursday in addition to "rest day" activities. Need to clean the bikes and do some basic maintenance, look for laundry facilities and make a decision as to what direction to ride on Friday. There is also the forecast for possible weekend showers. I think I will procrastinate a little longer before figuring it all out.