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| Yep, we're in Colorado! |
I can't believe that it wasn't a high mountain pass that rendered my legs useless. Instead it was the short steep climb out of Central City.
After coasting for a sweet 5 miles down the mountain from our campground to Black Hawk for breakfast, we began our steepest, hardest climb on our legs yet. The narrow road between Black Hawk to Central City I would say got up to 8% gradient which was short but ok. I was kind of wishing we'd bummed a ride with Katherine instead of taking on this route.
The maps warned of a steady 8 mile climb at 7-8% gradient on the Central City Parkway, which had us scared. But it was stupid Nevada Street leading up to the Central City Parkway that first got me into granny gear. This very short section of road was so steep I thought I was going to fall off the back of my bike. Even more so, I was now not looking forward to the dreaded Parkway.
But for the first time we were in for a pleasant surprise. The climb at the start of the Parkway was just under a mile long, and then we had a nice downhill section for the majority of the Parkway until a 1.5 mile climb at the end. It was the other suckers coming in the other direction that would have the tougher time!
Our legs were even more fatigued today so every small incline was an effort. Now that I have finally used granny gear, there is no need for me to try and avoid her anymore. I was even tempted to use her on the slight river grade inclines as we followed Clear Creek past Idaho Springs into Georgetown.
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| Cycling besides I-70 |
Most of the ride today was spent on access roads crisscrossing the busy I-70, so whilst the mountain scenery was very pretty, the noisy interstate beside you detracted from the views.
Our short day is hopefully setting us up for tomorrow to get over the Loveland Pass with somewhat rested legs. And we're only in a Super 8 motel because there is not a campground in sight.
On another semi-positive note - Egg has finally cracked .... but not yet hatched.
CRANKING ODYSSEY STATS
Total Odyssey miles: 2,045
Overall Fastest Speed: Steve (46 miles per hour) Mandy (36.3 miles per hour)
Bludge Days: 2
Bonks: nil
Dog chases: 3
Dummy Spits: Steve (4) Day 10 - because it rained; Day 16 - because the rocks in the river were slippery; Day 29 - because it takes me so long to get ready in the morning; Day 36 - because I was blogging and Steve was dieing of starvation
Mandy (2.5) 0.5 Day 14 - those freakin' wreckless Idaho drivers!; Day 26 - because my bike computer had a meltdown; Day 28 - because Steve wouldn't help hold my bike up in the wind after watching it nearly fall over 3 times whilst I tried to put my clothes away in the panniers because it looked like rain ahead
Flats: Katie (4)
Wrong turns: 6
Beer of the day: Backcountry Amber
Lesson of the day: don't mess with Steve when he's hungry!
No. of days with no shower: 13
No. of days in a hotel: 10
Starting weight: Steve (90kg) Mandy (51.5kg)
Day 30 Rawlins weigh in: Steve (183 pds / 83kg). Mandy (110 pds / 50kg)
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