The directions were not real clear on following the bike path through Frisco, but once on it, the ride was great all the way to Breckenridge. The bike path took you through the evergreens, then next to the main road, and along a stream.
I stopped for coffee at Starbucks in Breckenridge. Although I really enjoyed the caffeine, the underlying reason was procrastination. I had to climb over Hoosier Pass today, 11,539 feet, which is also the highest point on the entire TransAm route. Although there was nearly no shoulder to ride on, I was thankful there was some road paving going on just before the climb. As it was down to one lane, the traffic would be released in waves and I could ride for a few minutes at a time without any traffic coming up behind me. Although the climb was a challenge, it was not unbearable. The day was cooler and the staggered traffic made the multiple switchbacks manageable. I met Kim at the top, but she did not fair as well. The trek made her very nervous and she was very upset. We walked around a bit at the top, took some pictures and she seemed ready to go down the other side. In addition to dealing with the sharp switchbacks while pulling the camper, Kim also had a near miss with a deer outside Breckenridge. Plus, Walt had a near miss with a aggressive motorist. But, we were all thankful to make it to the top of the pass. Yee Ha!!!
While we were taking a break at the top of the pass, another cyclist came up the same side I climbed. Kurt was from Maine plus on the Eastbound TransAm ride. He left Astoria, OR on June 24th (I left on June 5). The guy must be racing, not touring across the USA. I followed him down the other side of the pass but after a while he was off and running not to be seen again.
Once over the pass, we had arranged to meet in Fairplay, CO to tour the Southpark Historical museum. It was an old restored town with multiple buildings as they would have looked in the 1800’s. Some were on the original spot, but others had been brought in from surrounding areas and reassembled. It was very interesting!
After the tour, the campers went on to the destination of Guffey, CO. But, I still had 50+ miles to ride. Much of the balance of the ride was rather unpleasant with a headwind all afternoon. A dark cloud followed me most of the way which produced rained with thunder, but no lightning. During the light rain, two elk jumped the fence, crossed the road in front of me, then jumped the fence again heading into the woods on the other side. Neat! But it was to bad it was raining as I could have tried to pull out the camera. In addition to the Hoosier pass, there was a lot of climbing today. With the pass making up about half, the total climb was 4,219 feet. It was a long day of riding and I was ready to be done. But of course the last 1.5 miles to the stop in Guffey was uphill.
Guffey is a place that is hard to describe. Charlie took our money for the camp spot, $20 cash. It was like being in a movie set for a scary Halloween movie. Buildings were old and run down, farm machinery, old cars, bathtubs, and antiques of every sort were sitting in the yard. Maybe just look at the pictures. The shower consisted of an old wood building that could have been a chicken coup and once inside, there was a wood planked floor with an old clawfoot bath tub with the side cut out and a hand held shower sprayer bungee corded to the wall. The toilet was a true pit toilet, wood construction little building, would box for the seat and lovely aromas. We camped on a hill along with some old junk antique cars. Charlie gave is the key to city hall, which was a museum. The whole town was like a big antique shop filled with everything imaginable. The owner of all this stuff, Bill Soux was one of the original sponsors of the Bikecentenial bike ride in 1976. There was a little cottage (shack) that two other cyclist were staying and they had to use the “shower” and “toilet” just like we did. It was Promise and Whitney who I had met back in Walden, CO. We were glad it was a one night stay.
Bike path from Frisco to Breckenridge
We made it to the top.
Kurt from Maine
Historic South Park
Images of Guffey
More Guffey
Charlie and his dog are minding the store in Guffey. "Can I get you a cold beer", he asked.
Rest room facilities
Shower house.
Well I guess I can mark Guffey off my places to visit. ;) I think I'll skip this one! So glad that you are still on the road and doing well. We were missing your updates and praying it was just a lack of internet. You all remain in our prayers!
ReplyDeleteOh, come on...where is your sense of adventure! Funny story...As, the camping train arrived before the bicyclist, they stayed in their camper with the doors locked. I finally convinced the troops that the people in Guffey are harmless, so they finally came out from locked campers.
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