No, it wasn’t the whisky that scuppered attempts to post some commentary yesterday (honest), it was the absence of internet connections and the succession of traffic jams on the way home. Apologies, and thanks to Jeff Potter for uploading the pictures of Erik Lobeck.
Now, while I was making slow progress, the 27 remaining racers seem to have continued to make good ground. I see the relentless Matthew Lee is now on the Colorado border, just about where I saw my first rattlesnake last year (Trevor Browne – Mind the snake Paul; Me – pardon?; TB – The snake – mind the snake!; Me – The what?; TB – The snake… Oh, that was close). He’ll probably stop for some sort of breakfast at the incomparable Brush Mountain Lodge (hello Kirsten) – all riders, this unlikely outpost is worth the trip alone. Then he’s got a rough passage before arriving in Steamboat Springs and the opportunity to give the bike the once over at orange Peel Bikes.
Blaine Nester should also make into Steamboat by the end of today, having first to traverse a punishing series of rolling hills to make it to where Matthew is camped. Erik Lobeck could possibly make it back to his home town too, though he’ll have to resist the temptation to stay at home for the night if he does. He made it into an article in the local paper there last year, which provided a diverting read while staying at the Rabbit Ears motel.
Those between Pinedale and Rawlins are about to embark on one of the most ontable features of the Tour Divide – the Great Divide Basin. The massive, open horizons – the landscape is a bit like a rumpled table cloth, with very little in the way of height variation – can be intimidating, but it’s a compelling place. It’s also a chance to cover good ground if the sun is not too potent, or the headwinds too annoying. Read more »
