Day 4 - "The Road to Durango...and beyond"
Thursday, July 2 - started out not looking so promising as storm clouds loomed overhead. Undaunted princess said.... "come on Toad we got some riddin' to do". So after a not so fresh and not so hearty breakfast of stale bread products and warm orange juice we readied up the bikes and off we went.
The route today was simple enough... US550 south towards Durango, CO and then west to Cortez, CO.
Skies look a little menacing on the way out of Montrose - Day 4
About 30 minutes into the ride the Western slopes came into view and the skies started to clear.
The Western Slopes Come into view
The "simple enough" route proved to be a bit more fun, challenging and enjoyable than we had planned on when we began the first of 3 summit climb passes.
Hole in the wall - US550
Numero Uno -
Top O' Red Mountian (US550)
Nice view from near top of Red Mountain
Next up -
Molas Pass - US550
Last but not least was -
Coal Bank Pass
US550 between Montrose and Durango was a blast... lots or twisties, switchbacks and everyother kinda turn. The road surface was great and the traffic was light.
Switchbacks all the day long - US550
Once we got to Durango we stopped to refuel (ourselves and the bikes)
Lunch in Durango
Not much to say about the road betweeh Durango and Cortez except the road surface was great and the traffic was light. We decided to head to our cell... I mean room for the evening, unpack the bikes and go 2up back to Mesa Verde. Princess brought her camera and took some great shots from the back seat of my bike as we made our way thru Mesa Verde NP.
Road to Mesa Verde
Climbing in Mesa Verde
Twisties galore
Plenty of Switchbacks
View from my bike - who needs guard rails???
Helmet Head - Mesa Verde
The road thru Mesa Verde was a blast and a great end to a great days riding (mind the $15 charge to enter the park
). 212 Miles. Countless Switchbacks, Twisties and Whoopdies.