Salida to Hartsel
Strava: 83.6 km, 1349m, 6:10, 224 Shifts, 50 kph max
Today the forecast was quite favorable with the strong winds of yesterday reducing. We ate up leftovers like yogurt, granola, fruit and a little of the pizza, packed up and said goodbye to our wonderful host in Salida, Liz. She was paying forward a ton of kindness and help she got from a cyclist last week. Now it’s on us to pay it forward to someone else.
We rode downtown to the coffee shop and had drinks and pastries. Then up the hill. The route starts out paved but quickly becomes gravel, but very smooth. We did the entire 800m climb in one push then had a break. There was another climb soon, and then we were up around 3000m again.
The scenery always changes, this time all the trees disappeared and we were just riding along next to fields. But always with mountains with some snow visible. Lunch was on top of another climb, Walmart pies and leftover pizza, delicious.
Then on and on, up and down. Most of this section was rough washboard, not really fun to ride. After 35 km of that I was no longer enjoying and just wanted it to be over. Sure enough, Andrew and I came to a pen with Bison (Buffalos) then turned onto a paved road for the last bit to town. The happening place is the gas station in Hartsel because it has a full convenience store. Wytze and Daniel were enjoying drinks, soon we were too, plus ice cream.
Then back to the main intersection and back onto the route which conveniently goes past the Hartsel Springs Lodge where I had arranged for us to camp. With a strong tailwind we were there quickly and they showed us the shower in the kitchen we could use, explained breakfast and the camping setup. We get a large barn and indoor camping is encouraged. Wytze and I waded in the river while the others showered.
After we all had showers and did laundry, we hung out in the lodge and they gave us free beer. Then the owner gave us a ride in her Ineos Grenadier to town. There’s only one restaurant, Zuccaro’s, only open a few nights a week but finally timing was in our favor and we had a wonderful Italian dinner: salads, garlic bread, ravioli, tortellini, spaghetti and pizza. Massive and delicious with a good selection of beers. Cannelloni for dessert of course. When I called to see about a pickup she answered, “Hartsel Springs Uber Service…” We got home before 7 and we’re all pretty hammered (not Wytze), and with a bigger day tomorrow, we’re headed for sleep.
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