The Last Mountain Pass

A cool morning is what we woke up to at the Snow Mountain YMCA. The last of the Mountain Passes through the Rockies was our first hurdle of the day. A lot of us were feeling the effects of the altitude and the incline was steep. I got part way up but felt the headaches intensify so I took a 15km SAG ride while the meds kicked in and then finished the summit. 11 307ft at Berthoud Pass.


Unfortunately we had a serious accident on the road today. Tyler was at the end of a pace line when it suddenly slowed down without anyone calling out. His front tire hit the leg of the rider in front, jackknifed and sent him flying. His helmet saved his head and face but his shoulder took the brunt of the fall and his collar bone is broken. After a trip to the hospital, he has had to withdraw from tour with a heavy heart. As some one who has had an accident that could have ended my tour, my heart and prayers are with him. May he be surrounded by a great medical team as I have had and God bring quick and sure his healing.
The coast down was amazing but cautious as we maneuvered around some pretty tight switchbacks. Even stopping some time to actually warm up as jackets had been left in the SAG and the wind was dropping the temperature by several degrees. At the bottom, Marti, Dale and I enjoyed a beverage at the Hard Rock Cafe next to the town hall.

We followed the Colorado river along the road as we headed towards Denver and got to see this group of white water rafters.


Once again, what was suppose to be all downhill turned into another nasty 1000ft climb on the back roads to Denver. I should know by now not to fall for that promise!
Also got a little off track in a small town, Idaho Falls, where I stopped and asked for directions from the owner of this cockatoo. Her name is Sweetie.

Finally arrived in Denver to a warm, enthusiastic reception in Denver that included gift bags and all sorts of goodies and ice cream.

A special treat of a whole package of letters and gifts from friends, family and even some blog followers was also waiting for me. It was a great way to close out my day as it was my adoption day yesterday. Officially 40 years of being Gayle Harrison.