Day 26: Marshall Pass

September 13, 2024

Distance: 101km

Climbing: 1462m

Maps first. I finally figured out how to embed the Ride With GPS map from a mobile device (easy on a computer). This is the second last map section and takes us through the rest of Colorado and into New Mexico.

Many of the campers got up and went straight into the cafe/saloon for breakfast to let the morning warm up a bit before coming back out to pack up and get on the road. We decided to make and eat our own breakfast before going to the cafe for coffees. We were reaching our limit for too many restaurant meals in a short time. A few of the people who had hung out in the bar the previous evening commented that drinking and driving is alive and well around here.

The cows seem to want to hang where they think the people might be.

The only comparison we could come up with was Mad Max.

The morning ride started on pavement for a few km and then gravel with brutal washboard like yesterday, but without the wind. As the washboard gradually improved the wind picked up as the day warmed, so it never got anywhere near as bad as yesterday’s washboard and wind combination. We rode with one of the Australians for a bit as the two have an arrangement where they ride apart for half of the day and together for half.

Parting with Jason from Australia on our way to Salida.

We made good time and were well over halfway to Salida before stopping for lunch. The area we were going through was odd: wide open country dotted with mostly abandoned RVs. Perhaps there were cheap plots sold at some point but eventually people found they couldn’t make it work living there but also couldn’t sell.

Salida was our resupply, but was only 75km from our start so we carried on for about two hours to a nice campground.

Climbing to the campground on Marshall Pass.

Straight out of Salida is an 1100m climb over Marshall Pass. Getting to the campground got us halfway through that, but does leave us at a higher altitude and possibly looking at our coldest night yet - tune in tomorrow to find out

Today's ride: 101 km (63 miles)
Total: 2,965 km (1,841 miles)

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Kelly IniguezYou are correct about cheap land in the San Luis Valley area, somewhat north of Del Norte, where you are headed. I have a friend who bought 5 (?) acres there for $5,000. She said if she ever hits rock bottom, at least she has some land that is hers. This was easily 20 years ago. I keep asking periodically, and she's still holding onto it.

BTW, if you hit Del Norte in the morning, breakfast at Boogie's Diner is a must do. An omelet there will get you up the pass. Lunch or dinner are regular fair, but nothing beats breakfast at Boogie's!
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3 months ago

Peter BrettTo Kelly IniguezThanks Kelly, we plan to have a breakfast in Del Norte so we’ll head there.
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3 months ago