59 daily
1589 total
I take it slow and easy today - big elevation gains. The climb is challenging but not too crazy. A river roars in the canyon below as the road winds up to Monarch Pass.
The 11,300 foot summit is a wide open space that's mostly paved. I meet several interesting individuals outside the snack bar. I meet two fellow Eastbounders following the same route as I am. They're both school teachers looking for work as they tour the country. A native of Kentucky is touring on his Harley and gives me pointers on his home state. He remembers the 1976 "Bikecentenial", the event which mapped a cross-country cycling route and inspired many to ride all the way across. He remembers seeing hundreds of cyclists passing through his town that summer.
The other side of tne summit offers a fast and fun ride all the way to Poncha Springs where I am surprised to find really good Thai food!
After lunch I ride a few more easy miles through Salida and enter a rocky river canyon. The road narrows and the traffic situation gets a bit freaky. This was a very pretty ride! I meet a Westbounder from NY in Howard. He's filthy but having a blast.
At the gas stop in Cotopaxi I meet a man who competed in an Arctic footrace sponsored by an English company. He applied through an ad he found on an airplane. His team finished last due to some wimpy crew members. I set camp at a KOA for the evening. It's really expensive compared to other RV/camp places but features camping right beside the Fremont River where I spend the dusky hours marvelling at the water and light.
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