Day 22: Pueblo, CO to Lamar, CO

Day 22: 24 June 2007

Pueblo, CO (4690 ft) to Lamar, CO (3690 ft).
121 Miles.

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Friends – access this link to view some videos I am making with my digital camera. Not advised while riding, but, at least I have a helmet on…..

New Videos:


Day’s Theme:
Go long and hold your nose!

Weather/Terrain:
This is our longest ride on the CCC, and we were on the road early. It was another good weather day – clear, slight winds, and hot, but, not as hot as it could be …. ,. The “beautiful” Colorado scenery is behind us, and it felt like we were in the mid-west. This section of CO is know for really large cattle feeds (farms) and we were “Cautioned” about drinking from our water bottles if it rained or if there were cattle trucks on the road – basically, shit washing into the road and onto your water bottles. Nice. 121 miles and no water!! Well, the “warning” was to be CLEAN…….

How I feel:
Felt good today, and the left butt felt pretty good – think that is under control.
One rider got a flat and crashed in a downhill on Friday, so, he elected to end his trip. HE was not hurt seriously, but a little bruised. 5 other riders left us during our rest day in Pueblo, so, our group is shrinking a bit…..

Notable Events:
Cattle feeds kids – not pretty. Our European guests were especially surprised to see these places – thousands, maybe 10s of thousands of corralled cows in the hot sun, no shade, in pens stomping around all day in their own shit. Not pretty. Smelled like hell too…….


Rider Profile: Mike Theiler from Austin, TX.


Mike is 37 years old and currently lives in Austin, TX. He just received his MBA from the University of Texas and thought now was the “perfect time” to live his dream of riding across the USA. Mike has completed many bicycle tours, including the “Ride the Rockies” Ride. He enjoys many activities, and enjoys going to Montana to a remote family owned cottage in the wilderness. Mike has earned the name “Rocket” on this trip (given to him by yours truly, but accepted by all….) and he and I have been “bounced” out of several SAG Stops from getting there so late (we have been stopping to smell the roses!!). The Rocket is addicted to Cliff Bars.

Rocket says “A bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you fail to make the turn”.

Pictures:
What’s Happening:



Our travels brought us to Rocky Ford, CO. It was a sleepy town. All we could think of was Mayberry.






SAG II was in Swink, CO.




The AB “suggested” lunch was at the DQ in Las Animas.
No problem for Brian – he is now addicted to Blizzards as he thinks they are “Brilliant” and will likely need counseling when he returns to the UK.





Air conditioning, ice cream – just what the doctor ordered after hours in the sun.






A cool tree on route to Hasty.






We had our SAG III under this tree and near this incredibly dirty pool.
Refreshing………….






Wheat fields near Hasty.
We saw cow farms / cattle feeds, corn fields, soy (maybe), and wheat fields.
Definitely feels like we’re in the mid-west now…………..






A cool abandoned house near Lama, CO.
Needs a roof and windows, but, the walls look sound!@!






This was the third (at least) cattle feed we went by. It was HUGE. Probably over a half mile long and thousands, if not 100,000 cows! I am not exaggerating. Smelled awful. These are cows in the picture.
This is not pretty – these cows are bunched together, sampling on their own shit, and out in the sun all day.
Enjoy your dinner……….






121 miles later, we are welcomed to the Cow Palace Inn in Lamar, CO.

Nice hotel – I am on my way to swim now….