Signs We’re Coming Home

/ ridingwithgary

Yesterday had four Pass-a-Paloozas™. Today is a 25 percent improvement. We’ll cross five of them.

We leave Winter Park and immediately begin climbing toward Berthoud Pass (11,315 feet), another crossing of the Continental Divide. Berthoud Pass received Honorable Mention on my all-time top rides list.

Berthoud Pass is a beautifully constructed highway, with turns made for motorcycles.

Are these passes getting to be routine? Nope. Every one of them is its own kind of fun-fest.

Next up: Guanella Pass (11,669 feet), which takes us by the trailhead to Mount Bierstadt, one of Colorado’s least difficult fourteeners. Guanella Pass received Honorable Mention on my all-time best rides list.

Heading south on US Highway 285, we cross Red Hill Pass (10,051 feet) and Kenosha Pass (10,001 feet) on our way to Fairplay, then press on to Buena Vista.

There’s time for one more crossing of the Continental Divide: Independence Pass (12,095 feet), which brings us home to Carbondale. Independence Pass received Honorable Mention on my all-time best rides list.

To view today’s route, click here.

And now, a few pics from today’s ride.

At Independence Pass — a sure sign we’re almost home. One hour to go.
As you can see by the rain gear and dark skies, we had some foul weather today. The sign is a clear sign I’m almost home.
One more sign we’re almost home: ice cream. It’s now a last-day-of-the-trip tradition, stopping for ice cream on our way home. Clarence’s mint chip cone set him back $10 at Sundae in Willits.
I’ll have an espresso (coffee) cone. They’re sharing joy, one scoop at a time.
Walter Jr and I shared. He enjoys dairy products.
A final sign I’m coming home: home. But no rest for the weary. We leave tomorrow morning on a 10-day bicycle trip to Salt Lake City, Sun Valley, and Jackson Hole. Vroom!

4 thoughts on “Signs We’re Coming Home”

  1. Welcome home brother! LOVE Independence pass! What’s up with espresso ice cream? Seriously? Not your norm. Glad you are safe at home with Sarah (hugs Sarah!). Clean that hog and get back out there bro! ❤️
    David M. Bowman
    Corporate Development Executive

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  2. More pictures of the journey and less of Walter Jr. please. You have some great journeys, we’d love to share the highlights.

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  3. Love Your Trip and the foodies, poor Walter sitting next to all of you while you enjoy every morsel!, Love Your Forever Bright choices! 😍Huggs Sarah.. Treats for Walter the hero🐶

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