Day 38 - Delta (49 miles)

We woke up to freshly baked cinnamon rolls and hot coffee, which fuelled us up for the 1000ft ascent that was the first job of the day. Cerro Summit was a great ride, and from the top it was all downhill to Montrose. We found a great sports restaurant, and really enjoyed the Wimbledon men's singles final over eggs, ham, pastries. hashbrowns, toast...why is the weight not falling off? Sadly, Montrose was where Parker went his separate way, heading West to follow the 'Western Express' to San Fran, while we headed North on our jaunt to Utah.

Delta was a gentle ride away, and we enjoyed a few quiet pints that evening before hitting the tent, sorry to see Parker ride off into the sunset (or imminent storm as it looked, unfortunately) but excited at the prospect of a reunion on the West Coast, which is beginning to become more of a reality that a distant dream.

Day 37 - Cimmaron (45 miles)

With hangovers to rival Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum, us three weary revellers headed West, hoping to get to Montrose by night. The scenery remained impressive, with the road winding through rock faces and alongside mountain streams before ascending once again over Black Canyon. A great lunch stop at Elk Creek ended any hope of Montrose, but after 45 miles we were more than happy to arrive at the campsite at Cimmaron, decorated with signs of 'fresh baked pie.' Buffalo burgers and hot peach pie went down a treat, and when Parker made a campfire by the side of a babbling brook we had the distinct impression we had stumbled into an episode of Dawson's Creek. Another good day in the Rockies.

Why is the weight not falling off?

After 40 days hard cycling and 2400 miles Expedition Leader is still perplexed with the question "why by the weight not falling off?"

Days 35 & 36 - Rest and 4th July

Day 35 was spent milling around Gunnison waiting for the celebrations to begin in earnest. We were becoming familiar faces in the local brewery by the evening of Day 35 - we just couldn't keep away from the IPA and gigantic nachos. Thankfully Parker had remained with us for this Independence Day weekend, and assured us that there was nothing quite like a small town 4th July.

4TH JULY What a great day! After watching a high school baseball match on a field surrounded by mountains we headed...for the brewery to warm up the voices for the Star Spangled Banner. At half eight the organised town celebrations were due to begin, so we walked to the college sports pitch. We were singled out by the MC as being the only Brits in town, who generously offered 'no hard feelings.' Local boy scouts then gave a lesson in flag etiquette, and as two more senior veterans passed with the Stars and Stripes three serving members of the US military pledged allegiance to the flag. A local high school girl - 'Britney' - sang the national anthem, which was warmly received by the congregation, hands firmly on hearts. The firework display was out of this world, and seemed to gain approval from the masses camped out under blankets, with many a cry of "U-S-A" soaring over the more violent explosions. More beers in a 'cougar' bar - answers on a postcard! - put the final nail in our 4th July coffin, and we retired, reassured to be in 'the land of the brave.'

Day 34 - Monarch Pass & Gunnison (57 miles)

The early wakeup call had us packing our tent at half three in the morning. With the temperature well below zero we wrapped up warm and were headed up the mountain by twenty past four. Our hopes to be at the summit for sunrise were perhaps a little bold, as the 11 mile climb up the best part of 3,000 feet proved a tough challenge, made all the more difficult by the thinning air, but by twenty to seven we were proudly standing beneath the summit marker displaying 11,312 feet.

The freezing conditions couldn't dampen our spirits as we watched the sun creep over the highest peaks to the East. In anticipation of the 9 mile descent to Sargents we put on whatever remaining clothing we had and rolled over the hill, with Dan's cry of 'it's all downhill from here' echoing across the valley. The 30mph downhill ride turned us into rolling blocks of ice, and once in the Trading Post at Sargents we sat for four hours thawing out with coffee and Elk burgers. We were joined by Parker, a fellow biker we had met in Salida, and decided to stick together for the ride to Gunnison. It was not all downhill.

The small ski town of Gunnison looked perfect for 4th July, so we set up stall in a cabin on the edge of town and made our way to the local brewery to start the celebrations early.

The best day so far by about 11,312 feet.

Day 33 - Mayville (12 miles)

After a leisurely morning in Salida we made the short trip to our 'basecamp' in Mayville in preparation for the ascent to Monarch Pass. At about 8,500 feet, the temperature was noticeably cooler as we camped under the stars, but we got our heads down early with the alarm set for 0300AM.

Day 31 & 32

On arrival in Pueblo it dawned on us that having rushed through the first 2100 miles of the journey we now have 3 weeks to meet up with the third member of the team (Marto) in Salt Lake City 500 miles away leaving plenty of time for a leisurely trip through the Rockies and Utah.

Day 32 to Salida, Colorado (60 Miles)

After leaving Canon City at around midday it was a relief to have a gently inclined journey into the Rockies climbing several more thousand feet to 7000 on reaching the small ski town of Salida. Despite a few threatening dark clouds the weather held out and we arrived having had some of the best scenery so far.

After an evening on some local 8.5% Colorado I.P.A. we decided another small day was in order and hope to have an early one tomorrow with the intention of being at the snow covered Monarch Pass (the highest point of our journey - 10, 300 ft) for the sunrise on day 34. Having both vowed never to do anything like this ever again we thought we should make the effort.

http://www.dickgilbert.com/colocam-monarch1.htm

Day 31 to Canon City, Colorado (41 Miles)

A hot last day on the plains/eastern desert and a taster of things to come as the Rockies slowly crept closer into sight.