Breckenridge

All of my company left me to return to the real world, but I didn't have to join them quite yet. Before I left Steamboat to continue the journey south, I took in the USA Pro Challenge bike race. Steamboat was host to both a stage start and finish. Because of time constraints (ahem, taking Rachel to the airport, heh) I missed the finish, but was able to see the start the next day. The peloton was there and gone in about 10 seconds, but still exciting. American Tejay Van Garderen ended up winning the race.

Sooo much money in those bikes

I didn't get out of town until 1pm, but it ended up not mattering as my legs didn't have anything left by the top of Lynx Pass anyway. A week off the bike will do that to you. Steamboat, Ski Town USA, is also trying out a new name, Bike Town USA, and I believe it. I've never seen so many cyclists out on the road as I did leaving town. It also probably had something to do with the race coming through town and everyone getting amped up about bikes. 

Coming off of Lynx Pass I rode an old stage coach road towards Kremmling. I also faced my first real creek crossing. I ended up wussing out and carrying all of my stuff across but I'm glad I did. The beavers had done some real work here and the water rose past my knees.

Creek ford

About midday I reached the Colorado River Valley. Coming in on the west side, I had an amazing view of the entire valley including the road I would climb out on way in the background on the east side. Sometimes it can be a bit demoralizing being able to see your destination literally tens of miles in the distance. It was a hard climb out, but at the halfway point I got to enjoy Inspiration Point (seems to be a popular name out here) which looks down on Gore Canyon. The walls were sheer rock and dropped 3000 vertical feet. I was lucky enough to catch a train rolling through, which gives the landscape some scale.

See that tiny road in the distance, that's where I'm headed

 

It looks like a toy train

The daily thunderstorm chased me into Kremmling where I stayed for the night. I put up at the Eastin Hotel circa 1901. A very nice couple ran the place and made me feel right at home. The building also had plenty of character which modern accommodations sorely lack. I felt like I was truly a guest in someones own establishment. Though I didn't see them, I could imagine each room being a bit unique in some way and I thoroughly enjoyed the squeaky wood floors.

The next day I climbed Ute Pass and rode into one of the most urbanized areas on the whole route. The towns of Silverthorne, Frisco, and Breckenridge are all within 10 miles of each other and are all classic western ski towns (read expensive and touristy). Not that I minded, I'm always up for good food and ski hills. I ended up pitching the tent in the rain and didn't get a chance to dry out until the next afternoon. Really the first serious rainstorm, so not really much to complain about. 

 

Climbing Ute Pass

That's a Colorado skyline