June 28, 2010
Day 61: Estes Park to Loveland
Today I go down the Big Thompson river to end the bike tour in Loveland. Most of today's ride is in Big Thompson canyon. I left the campground at 8:30. It was already sunny and warm. Back into Estes Park along the Big Thompson river.
I stopped for a while to look around downtown Estes Park. It's a quiet Monday morning. Quite a contrast compared to when I arrived on Saturday afternoon.
The Fall River goes through downtown Estes Park. There are several walkways and pedestrian plazas along the shady river. Very nice.
Leaving Estes Park I climbed a small hill before descending to Lake Estes. I don't think it's named after me.
After Lake Estes the road promptly enters Big Thompson canyon. I had heard that the canyon is very scenic, but I was disappointed to see so many houses in the canyon. The houses spoil the view.
After 20 miles US 34 leaves Big Thompson canyon and crosses some rolling hills on the way to Loveland. At one point a fault line is clearly visible.
I crossed the Big Thompson river for the last time. Now the river is flat water in a wide forested valley. I'm east of the Rocky mountains now. This scene looks like it could be in the eastern U.S. I was hoping for wide open views of the Great Plains, but foothills and trees blocked the view. I guess I would have to go a bit farther east to see an unbroken view of the Great Plains.
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US 34 becomes Eisenhower Boulevard when entering the Loveland city limits. Loveland has a population of 50,608, the biggest city I've seen since Carson City on day 4 of this tour. The elevation is 4982 feet. I haven't been that low since the day I left Moab, Utah. West of downtown I was surprised to see a large lake in the middle of town. Looking west across Lake Loveland I had my final view of Rocky Mountain national park in the distance.
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The bike tour ended unceremoniously at 12:15 PM in downtown Loveland at a used car lot that is also a Hertz car rental agency.
Distance: 33 mi. (52.8 km)
Climbing: 500 ft. (152 m)
Today's ride: 33 miles (53 km)
Total: 2,815 miles (4,530 km)
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