9/6/15
Headed out of Silverthorne fairly early and about 15 miles after setting out went through Breckenridge CO, or simply ‘Breck’ as the locals call it. The route between Silverthorne and Breckenridge is bike path the whole way with the exception of the small section the route takes through the very touristy downtown of Frisco, CO. Cycling through that little stretch of town was all about avoiding couples crossing the street with there $10 vente double cap mocha latte in hand.
Just a couple of miles before Breckenridge the MS crew caught up to me. Just about the time I think those guys are miles ahead of me and never to be seen again I run into them. Rode with them for a few miles then we split up once in town. They decided to walk through a street fair going on while I went searching for my favorite eatery… You guessed it, Subway. Was a little early for lunch yet but it was another opportunity to borrow an outlet for my phone, read email and also try to get a post or two closer to being up to date on the blog.
Once I had lunch it was off to tackle Boreas pass, which was about a 2000’ elevation gain from town. The route up Boreas is on an old narrow gauge railroad bed making for a moderate climb. Despite this news, I wasn’t sure if my body and state of mind were ready for the climb.
A few miles into the climb the road turns from pavement to dirt and became quite narrow at some spots. Being just outside of Breckenridge the route was pretty busy with other cyclist and vehicle traffic. The climb was going extremely well and I kept waiting for the ‘bonk’ where my body and spirit question what the hell am I doing this for? But that point never came. Was able to tackle the climb just like I was peddling along a level path… Well maybe not quite as fast, but it never physically wore me down.
On the way up Boreas Pass
Train car at Boreas Pass
Made the 11,480’ pass, which is just shy of the treeline, in real good spirits. After taking a little break and getting the obligatory pics at the pass I headed down the much quieter, traffic-wise, back-side. Made quick time into the tiny town of Como, CO which still had remnants of the one-time railroad that crossed the pass.
Beyond Como, the landscape opens up as I continued on the Hartsel, CO. The last 3-4 miles into Hartsel were on highway 24 and straight into the wind. Was not going to let that get me down… Fricken wind! Not much is in Hartsel but I just knew it had to have a place that served a big ole juicy burger and sure enough I pulled into such a place and bellied up to the bar.
Old Train Depot in Como, CO
Interesting old windmill out in the middle of nowhere. Sure would like to know the story behind the canoe.
The map says there is camping and to check at the Mercantile in Hartsel. I asked the bartender where the Mercantile was. He told me it used to be next door but it’s a flea market now. So I asked him, what can you tell me about camping? He said I could camp across the street or behind the restaurant. Was looking like the restaurant was going to be camp for the night.
Across the street from the only bar/cafe in Hartsel, CO
Sitting at the bar enjoying my big ole messy burger and a beer I texted a friend that I had met in Tucson but lives in nearby Buena Vista Colorado. Jay has ridden parts of the Divide route before and did so again starting about a week before me beginning at the Canada border. I had been receiving very welcomed trail notes from him along the way by email. He told me that once I got near his town to contact him and Hartsel was the place.
He offered to come pick me up and I was more than happy to take him up on the offer.
