After a few days of excitement and a little recuperation time in Colorado Springs it was time to keep moving west. We had a long days ride to Ouray, Colorado, “the Switzerland of America”.
Along the way I started to notice some of the most dramatic changes to the landscape. As much as riding into Colorado Springs was a visual feast, heading west was breathtaking. Unfortunately, with hand on throttle and heart in mouth on those curvy, mountainous roads there was no time or safe place to stop for photos. Luckily Tina caught some great moments from the back of the Goldwing.
On the long descent down the mountains we got our first real glimpse of the more desolate reality we were moving towards. Miles of dry, flat terrain sprinkled with cattle, several RV’s and a few more permanent structures.
Finally we spotted the tiny town of Hartsel, stopped for a coffee, stretched our legs and tried to digest the previous 50 miles.
The cafe was surprisingly lively for such a tiny town. Staff and customers alike were chatty and friendly. Obvious regulars and those of us who were obviously not regulars got the same smiles and great service.
After a much needed coffee and bagel we went back to our bikes and got chatting with Hazel (above). She was thrilled to hear our story about commemorating the Van Buren sisters ride. She told us she was 83 and still working and keeping cattle. She took a particular liking to Tina and Johanne’s shiny white Honda Goldwing. She also mentioned that the western side of the mountains where we were headed were “much prettier”. She was born there.
Prettier for sure but also far more challenging. Even having some experience riding in the Adirondacks didn’t prepare me for the kind of mountainous roads we came upon on our ride to Ouray. Twisty curves and steep descents. Warnings about checking truck brakes and more ‘runaway truck lanes’than I could count. Definitely my most challenging riding day “so far” as my cowboy friend in Haigler would say.
On a much lighter note, a few miles outside of Ouray and our stop for the night we fueled up and Zandra got a photo with this cast of characters.
They were self-declared mountain men who had just come into town after being in the bush for 3 weeks. The funniest part of the discussion was Zandra’s concern about having helmet-head hair for the photo. That garnered great laughs all round.
Whatever you ride – ride safe.
Helen
The Almost 200 Gang 