Divide to Salida, CO

We started the day with the news that our original route would not be an option.      

Here's why:

This is on highway 50 near canon city, which was part of our planned route. So far on this trip we have encountered tornadoes, flash floods, torrential rain, high winds and now, forest fires. 

We decided to leave from divide rather than going back down through pueblo. 

Before I begin with the day's events, let me introduce today's riders:

Alec "Westport Man" Bernard

Weight: 10.347 stones

Height: 100 hamburgers tall

Special skills: none

Allie "iamaspy" Wills

Weight: A small bear

Height: none

Special skills: tumbling, spying

Moma "hincape" Sag

Weight: not very heavy

Height: not very tall

Special skills: pulling us up mountains, cooking

We started the day riding up Wilkerson Pass. It was surprisingly short without gear and with Momma Sag pulling us up it. 

Colorado is beautiful everywhere and we are so happy to be here. And out of Kansas..

We had a strong headwind all day. I was hoping we left the wind in Kansas. It was not a problem though. We could draft off momma sag for the first 30 miles. 

We ate lunch with the fire chief and discussed all the current fires and the winds. He said we probably lost all our marbles in Connecticut when we decided to bike to California. Also said the hardest part is coming up in the desert. 

Look at all of this beautiful scenery. 

We got to our hosts around 630 after a wonderful 25 mile downhill. 

We went out to dinner by the river and watched some kayakers playing in the rapids. FIBARK is starting tomorrow so everyone is here practicing. We are going to try to go rafting with our hosts in the morning but we'll see what happens. 

Woo hoo! Our hosts are awesome. Today was fun. 

Daily stats:

80 miles

Highest point: 9507 ft

Longest downhill: 25 miles

Best state ever: Colorado

Haiku:

Glad to leave Kansas

Beauty is all around us

Rocky Mountain high. 

-AB