Colorado - Day 2

We rolled out of Idaho Springs, Colorado at 7:30 a.m., refreshed and renewed. One of the big challenges today was climbing Juniper Pass which tops out at 11,000 feet. We climbed for three hours for a total altitude gain of 7,000 feet.

Then, the incredibly long decent from 11,000 feet down to around 5,000 feet on the edge of Denver. The altitude is slowly coming down as we ride eastward...today we rode from high mountain passes into the foothills and suddenly we were rolling past wheat fields. It was amazing...a hint of the great plains that beckon.

It was hot...we rolled past a bank that was reporting 103 degrees on its outdoor signage.

Today, I was going up a long climb and noticed an abundance of Columbines, Colorado's state flower and Susan's favorite. Just then, the cry of a bald eagle captured my attention. It was one of those powerful, amazing moments.

During a food stop, a waitress was very interested in our CycleQuest ride. She related that she'd battled ovarian cancer, but thankfully recovered from it. A wonderful success story. OC typically strikes women in the prime of life, but I recently heard about a 94-year-old woman who was diagnosed with it. Please read the posted information about the symptoms of ovarian cancer. It could save the life of someone you love.

This evening we arrived in Strasburg, Colorado, about 30 miles east of Denver.

Strasburg is a small agricultural community on the Colorado Eastern Plains. Historically it was the location of the "joining of the rails," the actual last link in the coast-to-coast railroad network in the United States, completed in August 1870. But, tired as we are, there is no interest in hopping a train. With a little rest we'll be good as new tomorrow.

Bob and I rode 115 miles today, a great day, and we already have several miles of riding on U.S. highway 36 - our road to Hannibal - behind us.

More later.....tomorrow, the Great Plains!

Brad