all night ramble

I was looking for a ride and Tom Purvis had the idea. Set out at 9:00 pm and ride all night.

Off we rode from Salida to top of Marshall Pass then north on the Crest trail. It was mighty dark and only our light beams were our world. In that blackness and in the complete silence we pedaled up the old railroad route to Marshall Pass. To pass the time I began thinking how the steam engines passed in the night on this route 100 years ago. The engineer watching the track ahead and the stoker keeping the coal in the firebox. I imagined how the passengers would be dozing in the cars on the night run to Gunnison. Later I sang and tried to remember the words to all the train songs I know. Here Cathy, Tom's girlfriend, took our picture on departure from Salida.
Breakfast at first light.


We arrived at Marshall Pass and then proceeded north on the Continental Divide/ Colorado Trail. We made many miles on that crest trail. Nearly at Monarch Pass at 3:45 am in total darkness all I wanted was sleep. Tom was not feeling too frisky either so he said go ahead, take a nap. I layed down on the pine duff at 12000 feet. Instant sleep, like an elixir, relief. Half hour later the cold was creeping into my still body. I had to get up. Much better, I felt good again and a few minutes later the first light began to show on the horizon. It was so great to know the sun was coming. The daisys and lupine showed in my light. Waiting for the sun. We backtracked rode back to Marshall Pass then crossed and continued south to Silver Creek.


The sun came with all the glory of a lit world. Silver Creek was backlit, as we descended the birds twittered and the aspen shimmered, fresh dew on the grasses. We picked up the Rainbow trail and the beautiful flowers nodded as we descended to the warmer world.

We rolled back to Salida and had breakfast. Then the big nap. It was like being in a coma at midday. Wow that sleep deprivation is really memorable.

Vapor 125 coming up. This was a good practice. Tom and I had a really nice time, good conversations and sharing the experience.

Here's a 3d map of the route. I think you can click to enlarge.