Day 34- Radium Springs

It was a bit harder today to get going, leaving Linda and Blue behind. They were returning back home to Fort Collins as well today, so had to pack up their stuff too. I had them take a few items I had brought, including the bigger camera I had strapped to my back. I have taken some good pics with it, but it would be hotter further south, and less stuff & weight is always good. My iPhone seems to do a decent job of taking pictures, just not ones where you need to zoom in closer.

I took advantage of the complementary breakfast and rolled the bike out of the motel room. Blue can always sense when we are ready to leave when packing, and seemed ready to join me on the second half of this trip. I did feel a bit guilty leaving both of them, but I know they are safe and comfortable back home. I do so much appreciate how supportive Linda has been for me to do this. I’ll be 69 next month, so not much chance to do such an intense adventure later in life.

Can I come too Daddy?

The route out of Steamboat was on the bicycle path heading along the Yampa River. It wasn’t long before some guy on the path was waving at me to stop. A big bull moose was just around the corner on the path happily grazing away at the bushes. Luckily he was there to warn me, since a moose can be dangerous when confronted. I got off the bike and hid behind a nearby wood fence. I didn’t need my larger camera to take pics because the moose wasn’t that far away. Funny that I would see my first moose on the trip in a city. 

I detoured around the moose through a soccer field and continued on the route. The bike path eventually ended and I was on rural roads for a while. There are some beautiful ranches and homes in this area. Steamboat seems to be getting more popular with the rich and famous. It is a beautiful place, with great views.

The paved roads did finally end and rougher dirt trails took over. There was quite a lot of fresh bear scat on the trail, so I was ready for another bear encounter, even though I had donated my bear spray a couple hundred miles earlier in Pinedale. Wouldn’t that be ironic! I started my bear songs again, since I had also given Linda my bear bell to take home.

I had reached Stagecoach lake, and had to cross over the dam. Just on the other side there were a couple of nice picnic tables which were perfect for my second breakfast. What a treat! The route turned into a single track which wound around the lake and many of these huge, modern homes there. Probably just second (or third) homes for the very rich.

The rest of the day was riding through more rural ranch country up another pass. Ciaran had posted a comment on our shared WhatsApp group that he crashed his bike coming down this pass, and that his ankle was pretty swollen. I hope that he is alright and can still continue his trip. I was extra careful going downhill hearing this news. It seemed like the loose sand was the biggest issue.

I finally reached Radium Springs campground which is right on the Colorado river. It was much hotter here and I found shade and a picnic table under a pavilion. There was another pass further on the route, and really didn’t want to tackle that today, so I just laid down on the picnic table and took a short nap. It was too early to setup the tent since it was still pretty sunny and warm.

I had to cross this creek. I rode through it, while the other rider waited.

Beautiful Colorado

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