Saturday, July 6, 2012, 51 miles - Total so far: 984 miles*
* Miles ridden on the TransAm route
Odometer miles - Today - 53.6 Total to date - 1038.5 miles
Hoosier Pass - 11,539 ft. ! Wow!
As we started our day at Hartsel Guest Ranch it looked like we might be in for a very cold wet ride over Hoosier Pass. I switched from shorts to my long bike tights and put all of my warmer cycling clothes in my bike bag. The clouds all around threatened rain, especially in the direction of the pass. Everyone was dreading what might lie ahead.
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| Sunrise at Hartsel Guest Ranch |
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| Clouds in the distance in the direction of Hoosier Pass |
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| This building at Hartsel Guest Ranch collapsed on top of the school bus last year in 80 mph winds. |
We started riding the 20-mile segment towards Fairplay at 7:30am. The on-line weather report showed light rain falling there as we began. I added my arm warmers as we started riding and an undershirt two miles later in Hartsel. Although it was cool, damp and very cloudy no rain fell on us. The views were spectacular. Every one of our group stopped at the Java Moose in Fairplay for a morning snack or warm drink and to prepare for the 12-mile climb to the top of the pass.
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| The turn onto Hwy 9 north to Hoosier Pass - Fairplay 17 miles, Breckenridge, 40 miles |
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| The clouds still look ominous, but the road is mostly dry as we ride north. |
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| Interesting metal sculptures atop a wall at a concrete facility south of Fairplay |
The ride out of Fairplay to Alma was about 5 miles of smoothly paved bike path alongside the highway. That led to the base of the final steep climb, 4 miles beyond Alma to the top. I added a jacket and stocking hat for the final climb, still fearing we might run into rain or cold mist near the top. Fortunately we didn't get any rain and it was dry and pretty nice when we reached the top.
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| The bike path from Fairplay to Alma |
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| Alma - North America's Highest Incorporated Town - 10,578 ft. |
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| Leaving Alma - Breckenridge, 16 miles |
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| The sign ahead says "Hoosier Pass Summit - 4 miles" |
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| I made it! |
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| Wendy, Ubald, Gina, Simon and me - celebrating at the top! |
The ride down to Frisco was somewhat anticlimactic, but still offered spectacular views. While the road up from the south side (our climb) is a couple of long sweeping curves, the road on the north (our downhill) side has many twisting switchbacks. It could have been very treacherous if it were wet, but we rode down dry roads.
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| Paul drives the Adventure Cycling Association van down the switchbacks on the north side of Hoosier Pass |
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| Beautiful mountain scenery, one winding road down |
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| More mountain scenery on the descent |
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| The ski slopes of Breckenridge Ski Area |
Most of the others stopped in Breckenridge to explore the busy ski town, but I continued on to Frisco. I arrived about 1:00pm and met up with my wife Pat, who has come to spend a couple of days visiting.
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| The bike path from Breckenridge to Frisco |
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| The bike path near my arrival at Frisco |
Later in the evening Pat and I made dinner at the condo where the group is staying - my first time doing cooking duties since I rejoined the ride.
Some reflections on the Hoosier Pass ride -
For me the accomplishment of making this climb was exhilarating. The climb itself wasn't as steep as some others, but the lack of oxygen was definitely noticeable. On the way down I was laughing and smiling - feeling a huge "natural high". Although this is only the first of several Continental Divide crossings and we've got many more mountain passes to traverse, it's a great feeling to have completed "the Big One".
Another thought -
Since the top of Hoosier Pass is the highest point on the TransAm trail, it would be possible for some engineers and road builders to build a series of tunnels, bridges and roadway cuts from that point all the way to the Oregon coast that would provide an ALL DOWNHILL path to complete the ride. I wonder why no one has done that. :-)
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