6 June 1989

44.6 miles Ridgeway to Black Canyon

$6 camping

$1 drinks

$2 toe clip

$2 laundry

Up at 6 and on the road by 7:45 am.

Nice downhill ride into Montrose. At Montrose visitor center, we decided to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument. This involved a 2,000' climb over an 8 mile stretch. It was tough going, but our views of the canyon this evening made it worth it. Looked threatening, like it might rain on us, but we have had no rain since day one.

5 June 1989

43.5 miles - Telluride to Ridgeway

$26.50 Bike

$2 PO

$10 groceries

$8.50 camp

Bought a new derailler in Telluride. It has a different mounting clamp. I think it will work fine; seems to be working better so far. Looked at all our mail and left town about 1pm. Arrived at campground at about 6:15 pm. Dallas Divide was beautiful. We had a 12 mile uphill stretch out of Placerville. Ridgeway is lovely too. A really nice man owns this campground. Ate pasta and tomato sauce.

4 June 1989

20 miles - East of Rico to Telluride

$4.00 postcards

$2.00 card for David

Up at 7 am. Had scrambled eggs and pancakes for breakfast after moving into the warm sun. Lizard Head Pass was quite easy compared to those in Arizona. My front derailler fell off; the clamp snapped. We'll look for another tomorrow.

Met Jenny and Tracey on the street and they are putting us up for the night. Dinner of rice, veggies and pint of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia. Talked to Jen. Tried to talk to David, but no answer. We may take a route other than bikecenntenial through Aspen, CO.

3 June 1989

60.2 miles - Cortez to Campground East of Rico

$2 CampSuds

$3.50 fig newtons and drinks

It's only 7:30 pm, but I'm in my sleeping bag and I feel exhausted. It was a tough ride for me today. We rode 60.2 miles to a campground E. of Rico, CO. The stream, Delores River, sounds lovely. It will get cold tonight. My bowels are acting weird...(do I really want to post about my digestive system on my blog)

Tomorrow we ride 20 miles into Telluride over Lizard Head Pass. Today took us through some lovely country - hard to believe we're just 65 miles away from desert. Got a photo of Rico P.O. I did a lot of thinking today about what I'm going to do. Monday I'll call the guy in Pittsburgh and decline the job inquiry. Tomorrow I talk to Jen and David. I hope I can reach both of them. I'm going to try and relax and enjoy the trip. I don't need to be thinking all the time about what I'm going to do later. I need to enjoy this trip for what it is - great! After this trip will be an excellent time to start training for a triathlon. I'll be in good shape to train. I'll write Brad now; that's what I'll do!

2 June 1989

No bike riding - day at Mesa Verde

$2 milk and ice cream

$4 gas

$10 groceries

$3 stamps

$1 card

Mailed about 100 postcards thus far. Neil let us use his Jeep to get our rental car. Arrived at Mesa Verde entrance at 9 am. Went straight to Balcony House - 1 32' ladder, 2 - 10' ladders and a a small tunnel in order to see the impressive ruin. Linda, the Ranger from Berkley, did not stress the defensive use of the site.

Tomorrow we ride again and I feel anxious to do that. Phil and I had an ok time at Mesa Verde, but I had a better time the first time I saw the place. Phil and Neil are now returning the rental car. Maybe they went out for a beer. No, just a delay at the shop. Neil took us out for a great Italian dinner at Nero's - spinach linguini w/ tomato sauce, sauteed veggies and mozzarella cheese. Great food!

Called Eric and Lisa. Eric will start a second job at Harpoon Louie's; he works hard. I couldn't handle all the responsibilities right now. Oh, what to do? I hear of the weather back East and I think I could not live there. I may not even talk to the guy in Pittsburgh.

1 June 1989

No bike riding - day in Mesa Verde area

$3 Walmart

$18 camping

$2 laundry

Up at 6:30 am. Nice chat with people from New Zealand. Coffee from Neil. Eggs and bread for breakfast. I'm doing laundry. Phil's checking on the rental car so we can see Mesa Verde without biking up the mesa!

Neil McCullum - tour of crow and sand canyons.

Ray Williamson - archeoastronomy