7th September
I’m feeling a lot better after a few days off. My leg is back to its regular size and, although still colourful, is a lot less painful. I’ve arranged to get new tyres fitted to the bike later this week (the new Michelin Anakees have not proved a success – severely worn after less than 5000 miles).
I pack the bike and I’m on the road at 0930. It’s a beautiful, cloudless day and, for a change, it’s pleasantly cool - 68º F – perfect riding conditions. I head north through Dolores, before turning north east towards Telluride.
I’m surprised to see that the leaves on some of the aspens are already turning gold.
The road climbs into the San Juan Mountains…
…some of which have received a dusting of snow since I was last in the area, last week…
I experience one of those ‘Life is Good’ moments…
I see a sign for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Unusually, I’ve never heard of it, so I take a ride up into the wilderness…
…which turns out to be dominated by the Black Canyon. It’s a deep, steep sided gorge cut through the rock by the fast running Gunnison River…
…which can be seen deep down in the gorge, and heard as a distant roar, as it continues the job it started 2 million years ago.
Further along the Southern Rim Road, the view suddenly opens up…
…and you can see forever – at least 60 miles. As I look at the view, I become aware of some activity closer to me…
The local chipmunks have obviously grown accustomed to humans, and learned that they can get fed, or feed off rubbish left by them. They are remarkably tame, but, at the same time, camera shy – it takes me a good few minutes to get this picture…
I return along the Southern Rim, then turn left down the East Portal Road – a great series of switchbacks…
…which leads down to the Gunnison River…
…far below. Ultimately it leads to the Crystal Dam…
Unfortunately, this is the closest you can get to the dam. I say unfortunately, because it’s an unusual dam – it curves both ways…
I make my way back up the East Portal Road…
…and rejoin Highway 50, heading east again. The road runs along the south side of the Gunnison Reservoir…
…before crossing over (hurrah! – got a bridge picture in!) to the north shore…
I get into Gunnison and decide to stop for the day – it’s been just under 250 miles, all on asphalt and my leg’s feeling fine.
I’m feeling a lot better after a few days off. My leg is back to its regular size and, although still colourful, is a lot less painful. I’ve arranged to get new tyres fitted to the bike later this week (the new Michelin Anakees have not proved a success – severely worn after less than 5000 miles).
I pack the bike and I’m on the road at 0930. It’s a beautiful, cloudless day and, for a change, it’s pleasantly cool - 68º F – perfect riding conditions. I head north through Dolores, before turning north east towards Telluride.
I’m surprised to see that the leaves on some of the aspens are already turning gold.
The road climbs into the San Juan Mountains…
…some of which have received a dusting of snow since I was last in the area, last week…
I experience one of those ‘Life is Good’ moments…
I see a sign for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Unusually, I’ve never heard of it, so I take a ride up into the wilderness…
…which turns out to be dominated by the Black Canyon. It’s a deep, steep sided gorge cut through the rock by the fast running Gunnison River…
…which can be seen deep down in the gorge, and heard as a distant roar, as it continues the job it started 2 million years ago.
Further along the Southern Rim Road, the view suddenly opens up…
…and you can see forever – at least 60 miles. As I look at the view, I become aware of some activity closer to me…
The local chipmunks have obviously grown accustomed to humans, and learned that they can get fed, or feed off rubbish left by them. They are remarkably tame, but, at the same time, camera shy – it takes me a good few minutes to get this picture…
I return along the Southern Rim, then turn left down the East Portal Road – a great series of switchbacks…
…which leads down to the Gunnison River…
…far below. Ultimately it leads to the Crystal Dam…
Unfortunately, this is the closest you can get to the dam. I say unfortunately, because it’s an unusual dam – it curves both ways…
I make my way back up the East Portal Road…
…and rejoin Highway 50, heading east again. The road runs along the south side of the Gunnison Reservoir…
…before crossing over (hurrah! – got a bridge picture in!) to the north shore…
I get into Gunnison and decide to stop for the day – it’s been just under 250 miles, all on asphalt and my leg’s feeling fine.
