DAY 37
Alma, CO to Hot Sulphur Springs, CO
Sleeping at over 10,000 feet, we knew it was bound to be cold. The sleeping quilt Becky and I had made a year earlier was meant for 50 degree weather. This was the compromise I knew we'd be making at one point during this trip. Bring a warmer quilt and sweat 95% of the nights, or bring this fair weather quilt and be comfortable the majority while suffering through a night or two of cold temperatures. To me it was a no brainer. So, yes it was very cold last night. But hey, we survived.
Alma, CO to Hot Sulphur Springs, CO
Sleeping at over 10,000 feet, we knew it was bound to be cold. The sleeping quilt Becky and I had made a year earlier was meant for 50 degree weather. This was the compromise I knew we'd be making at one point during this trip. Bring a warmer quilt and sweat 95% of the nights, or bring this fair weather quilt and be comfortable the majority while suffering through a night or two of cold temperatures. To me it was a no brainer. So, yes it was very cold last night. But hey, we survived.
 |  Early morning ride up Hoosier Pass |
Happy to finally be at the top of the pass
 Celebrating at the top with Dirty B and Flats! |  Hoosier Pass, elevation 11,542 feet |
Elevation profile for the day
The continental divide and highest point on the entire 4,200+ mile coast to coast bike trek sits just six miles and 900 feet above. Hoosier Pass at 11,542 feet, here we come... Slowly. Very slowly. The natural high of being at the top of the pass didn't even remotely come close to the natural high of descending the opposite side. 2,000 feet in 10 miles. I filmed and photographed the drop using my right hand as my left hand cramped from riding the brakes. We wiz by numerous cyclists attempting the climb up. I would yell words of encouragement while Flats later admitted he would holler "good luck!"
 Excited to be heading down hill! |  |
 The path follows a bicycle trail from Breckenridge to Silverthorne |  |
Leveling out as we enter Breckenridge, I couldn't imagine this day getting any better. Enter Backcountry Brewery. Touring the country by car multiple times now, Becky and I always jump at the opportunity to sample local breweries. Five years ago while living in a ski town here in Colorado we had visited this magical brewery. Usually a brewery will have a few good beers and a few not so good beers. Every beer we sampled at Backcountry Brewery had been outstanding. Not sure if we had built this place up in our minds or if it truly was the holy grail of breweries, we were anxious to test the legend. The only problem is it was 10:30 in the morning... We'll wait. With 60 miles remaining to ride today we responsibly only consume one beer each along with a hearty lunch. The beers were indeed exceptional. The myth grows!
 Backcountry Brewery! |  |
The rains a comin'
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The 60 miles into Hot Sulphur Springs were a drag. But, what else did we expect after such a high this morning. After our hearty lunch and beer, the only thing that could have satisfied me was a nap. What I got was busy weekend traffic and narrow highways. However, it was mostly downhill and we did make great time. Why did we decide to not stay overnight in Breckenridge? Oh yeah, because we're not quadrillionaires Free camping in the city campground of Hot Sulphur Springs with the mosquitos is where we belong.
We rode through this beautiful canyon for 3 miles before entering Hot Sulphur Springs
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Free camping at the Hot Sulphur Springs city campground
Stats:
Miles: 91.2
Average speed: 13.3 mph
Max speed: 36.6 mph
Odometer: 2546 miles
Miles: 91.2
Average speed: 13.3 mph
Max speed: 36.6 mph
Odometer: 2546 miles
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