Days 14 - 19 Rugged but spectacular ride from Abiquiu, NM to Salida, CO 277 miles

Surrounded by the majestic alpine forests and towering rock formations while grinding up and coasting down mostly gravel roads while dodging rocks and deep ruts, we experienced the most extreme highs and lows of our ride metaphorically and literally over the past five days. The comaraderie of fellow cyclists and bravado of the Tour Divide racers we encountered kept us pedaling up and down between 7,000 and 12,000 ft from the Rio Chama of quaint Abiquiu to the Arkansas River headwaters of outdoors oriented upscale Salida. Reflecting on our long ride in the comfort of a well equipped hotel in lovely Salida, already the rigors of pedalling at high altitudes for 8 - 12 hours a day, discomfort of cold overnights in our pup tent and washing down dry food with lukewarm water are far outweighed by the awesome natural beauty, inspiring people and interesting places we have experienced along the way.

Leaving Abiquiu on Friday, day 14 of our final leg of the GDMBR. We passed a secret launch site we believe is financed by Elon, looks like his Mars lander is ready to go. Austin caught up with us in El Rito, New Mexico after having both tires blow out on the downhill disaster into Abiquiu that gave everyone PTSD. He had to make a day trip by bus to Santa Fe to get his tires replaced. Lots of climbing today.

Trail angels Shawn and Marisa loaded us up with water and sodas after finding the campground at Hopewell Lake had no running water. We carry a filter but had enough water to get us to Horca so we opted not to fill up from the lake. But we don’t pass up an opportunity to top off with fresh water.

The long climb over LaManga pass and down into Horca, Colorado for hot food, cold drinks and reuniting with fellow Divide riders Tom from England and Brian from Australia. We left Horca in the early afternoon to get to Platoro for a night in a cabin, hot shower and a delicious home made dinner and breakfast at Michael and Debbie’s Gold Pan Acres RV Park and Cabins, highly recommended.

The long climb up and over Indiana Pass

From Del Norte, we sidetracked around the “official” GDMBR route and followed the paved “Old Spanish Trail“ through Saguache then on to Salida, a well developed colorful little town brimming with coffee houses, eateries, art, music, bicyclists, outdoor adventures and the largest natural mineral springs which is known as the “Heart of the Rockies.”

Victor Bosoni won this year’s Tour Divide in just over 11 days. Banff Canada to Antelope Wells, NM. 2700+ miles. Took us almost 2 months.