Telluride!

What a big day! Making it to Telluride has been a huge milestone that we have been looking forward to since we started in Charleston 24 days ago. It feels great to be here, with our wives, and to have a day off tomorrow.

But it was not easy. We had two big climbs today, first from Montrose at 5807' to Dallas Divide at 8963', then from Placerville at 7316' to Mountain Village (the ski resort at Telluride) at 9545'. Fortunately we had a beautiful day to do it and the scenery was once again spectacular. I have done this route many times in a car but there is something about being on a bike and seeing it all unfold in slow motion that is really special.

The only negative aspect of the day was that traffic was fairly heavy all the way. I guess that is a function of having few roads, many tourists, and a big festival going on.

I took lots of pictures and it's nearing bedtime so let's get right to the photos.

Leaving Montrose with the mountains looming

Sneffels, we are gaining on you

Approaching Ridgway

This is the Galloping Goose, a truck on rails that was used for mail delivery

Narrow gauge railroad in Ridgway

Looking east from the Dallas Divide climb. I'm not sure but that could be Uncompahgre Peak in the center

On the way to Dallas Divide, looking down on Ridgway

A tough climb, but easier than the next one up to Mountain Village

The descent from Dallas Divide winds down about 12 miles through a pretty canyon. It would have been super except there was a stiff breeze blowing up the canyon so we actually had to work.

I took fewer pictures on the way up to Telluride. There was quite a bit of traffic and few good spots to pull over. It was great to get to the ski resort. And, we beat Lisa by 15 minutes!

I could have used one of these a few times today

Ski runs off Lift 4

Basking in Mountain Village

It was great to see our sweeties after three weeks on the road and share a nice meal. We are looking forward to some R&R tomorrow at the Blues and Brews festival.

Today we did 5680 feet of climbing (and 1968 feet of descending) in 66 miles, including 2200 feet to end the day. Time for bed!