GDMBR Day 14

Day 14
37 miles  June 25

Saw a bald eagle bring a huge fish, at least a foot long, up to a big nest on a telephone pole by the lake I sleeper next to last night. It dropped it off for 3 squawking chicks. It circled the nest a few time with the big fish, it was the perfect shot and the perfect light I just didn't have my big camera.

 Did about 8 miles and came upon an aid station on the side of the road that was set up for a big bike race. Turns out it was a pro bike race, at least 100 miles long, with photographers, trucks with extra wheels, medics, the whole shabang. I was passed by the entirety of the 200 riders in about 2 hours. It was great fun having all the people on the side of the road telling me when to slow down because the road was switching to gravel and having all the chase cars keep the passing  traffic slow. Lots of people made encouraging comments and were excited that I was out there. It was a little nerve racking to get passed by all these pros, but they were nice so it was alright.

Turned off the race route just after they all passed me and found the trail to go to a hot springs on the Colorado River. Just as I was heading out a sobo touring.rider came up and joined me for the walk.  He gave me the map to the next section and I gave him my extra pair of sunglasses because he dropped his in the river. The springs were nice but swimming in the Colorado was much more refreshing.

 The Colorado River!

After the hit spring I hit a long up hill section. The start on the last pass to steamboat. I already had done one pass today, not as big but hitting it at the end of the day was rough.  And it was very steep and temperatures where creeping up to the low 80s. So going was very slow. It was pedaling from shade patch to shade patch and lots of hike a bike.

 Finally found a good camping spot, made dinner watched the moon rise and went to bed.