No data connection

Just to let everyone know I'm fine. I've been unable to get Internet connection for 2 days now. Will get new pics up as soon as possible. The Colorado Rockies have been awsome and tomorrow we enter Wyoming.

Fireside Inn

How's this for a room with a view!

Breckenridge, CO.

Arriving at the Fireside Inn.

Hoosier Pass summit

Crossing the Continental Divide at 11539ft. From the left: Leader Bob getting chilly while the cameras are passed around; Adam & Chris from Chicago; Ingo from Germany; Ron from Arizona who pushed his recumbent all the way up; and me.

Hoosier Pass summit

It's all downhill from here to Breckenridge.

Hoosier Pass

The view back down the valley from about half-way up.

Alma

Leader Bob getting his caffeine fix.

Alma

Stopped at the village of Alma 10578ft. A double latte and blueberry muffin should get me up the next 1000ft.!

To Hoosier Pass

A perfect morning for a ride up a hill.

To Fairplay, CO.

It was pleasant cruising though the lush pastures in the valley of Colorado's South Park with snow capped mountains to the left. That was till that thunderstorm on the left caught up with me and brought a strong headwind with it. That made for a tough last 10 miles but a hot shower and motel room were the reward after a long day.

Hartsel

We refueled here before the last leg to Fairplay. Left to right: Rusty, me, Tom, Ingo.

Current Creek Pass summit

Here I am, glad to be at the summit. Unfortunately the awesome view of the snow capped mountains isn't clear against the clouds.

Current Creek Pass

Ingo nearing the summit.

Current Creek Hostel

This was the only place to fill our water bottles in the remote alpine valley that the pass follows.

Current Creek Pass

On the way up there were a couple short downhills but the elevation was quickly regained and the steady climb continued.

Royal Gorge to Fairplay

We were on the road by 6am this morning for a big day in the mountains. 66 miles with 6700ft climbing. This is looking toward the start of the 26 mile long Current Creek Pass.

Postboxes

I found this rural line of postboxes between Wetmore and Florence.

Wetmore, CO.

The Wetmore General Store. Cool looking place that's been there since 1879. Unfortunately it's closed Mon, Tues & Wed and we came through town on Wed.

To Wetmore

The road turned to the right up ahead and climbed for a mile, our first hill in a few weeks!

Pueblo, CO.

West out of Pueblo the landscape changes dramaticaly. From arid eroded valley to dry plain to lush valley at Wetmore.

To Pueblo, CO

On our way to Pueblo for a layover day we stopped in Boone to eat our peanut butter and jam sandwiches.

Spot the deer on the other side of the tracks.

To Ordway, CO.

Sign of the times? About 12 miles of automobile carriages lying dormant out on the Colorado plains waiting for the next economic boom.

Eads, CO.

The skyscrapers of the plains...grain elevators and water towers.

To Eads, CO.

Karoo? No, eastern Colorado.

Colorado

As I enter Colorado, a last note on Kansas wind. It really wasn't too bad. It blew mostly from the side or from behind. Perhaps we were just lucky. May our luck continue! You've seen how straight the Kansas roads are, well just past that next road sign there is a bend in the road! Yippee! I like Colorado already.

Goodbye Kansas

I remember how Kansas greeted us with a terrible headwind, and the wind blew every day, but today Kansas blew us into Colorado on a near perfect day for cycling. It was cool, cloudy with a little drizzle, no traffic and a tailwind.
The best part was that I could put my phone under the barbag cover and follow the live text commentary on planetrugby.com of the Springboks vs British & Irish Lions rugby game being played in Durban, South Africa. It was amazing cruising along this deserted road in Kansas and almost being able to see the flags waving and hear Kings Park echoing with cries of "BEEEAST" with the Boks on their way to victory. When it got down to extra time I couldn't keep one eye on the road any longer and had to stop and pull off the road. It was a bit naelskraap in the end! Well done Bokke!!
You gotta love modern technology.

Cattle truck

Out of Scott City this morning there was the strange sight of pro-life billboards proclaiming, 'Life is Sacred, Choose Life' while every few minutes one of these evil looking trucks came hurtling past taking another load of cattle from the many feed yards to slaughter. Some life more sacred than others? And, no, I'm not a vege. But when I tuck into that next steak I'll think twice about where it came from. It's going to take a lot of Kansas wind to get the stench of those feed yards and cattle trucks out of my nostrils.

To Tribune, KS

You know how hard the wind blows across Kansas when even the trees in the road signs are leaning over!

To Scott City, KS.

The infamous west wind blew in our faces today. Plus we had to contend with cattle trucks and a couple of huge tractors.

To Ness City, KS.

One of the many old timber railway bridges on the line heading west.

To Ness City

New York Bob enjoying the flat road. Although it seems flat, the route from east to west Kansas is a long gentle climb.

To Larned, KS.

The bizarre Kansas phenomenon of oil rigs amongst the crops. Just when you're pedaling along enjoying the fresh country air, you get a lungfull of sulphury gas and yukky oil.

Sterling, KS.

The tranquill city park where we were going to spend the night, until a severe storm and tornado warning was issued. The police organised that the grade school a couple of blocks away be opened for us to take shelter in. We did get some of the big storm but not the tornado.

To Sterling, KS.

I could be touring through the Free State! Wagons, maize, co-ops even Van Buuren St. Except there's wheat here too and the trains still run.

Buhler, KS

Hey, look who I found wondering around in Buhler, Kansas.

To Newton, Ron

Recumbent Ron cruising with the tail wind.

Casoday

We stopped at this cool store for a lunch break. This handsome rooster was keeping a beady on Tom's peanut butter sandwich.

Flint Hills

The high open prairie of the Flint Hills left no place to hide from the wind. It felt like 09 Argus all over again! This is Tom passing me while I took a break. Luckily the route turned and the wind shifted so we had a sweet 30 mile run home with the wind at our backs.

To Newton

Had to get an early start to get through some of the 75 miles today to avoid spending too much time in the afternoon heat.

To Eureka, KS.

Unlike in Europe where church spires mark the next town, the rural American skyline is dominated by water towers. This old one is at the town of Toronto where we had coffee after riding through rain for a couple hours. It was sunny from here to our overnight destination of Eureka. The Kansas winds were favourable today and blew at our backs...sweet.

Chanute, KS

It's no problem if you miss a turn in Kansas. The Kansas maps look like a city grid, so it's really easy to get back on route. Today was the first day I didn't use 1st gear!

Pittsburg, KS.

I don't think Kansas wants us here, the headwind tried to blow us back to Missouri. We were meant to be camping but with a severe storm warning out I'm glad we were booked into a motel.

Heading for Kansas

Halfway through today's 69 mile ride the landscape changed. The Missouri roller coaster ended and the flat corn fields started. It feels like being home riding through the Free State, but with Durban's humidity.

Cooky's Cafe

Cooky's Cafe in Golden City (actually a klein dorpie) has been renowned for their pie since the 1940's. They all looked so yummy it wasn't easy deciding. I eventually chose the Dutch blueberry pie and ice cream, mmmm.

Ash Grove, MO. storm

The last few afternoons have followed the same pattern: after the midday heat and humidity the storm clouds start gathering. The final 10 miles or so each day invariably turn into a race to the finish to beat the looming thunderstorms. I feel like a cyclist on the Tour who is in a lone breakaway with an angry peleton in persuit.

Keeping track of the family.

Saw this on a car window outside a convenience store at an intersection in the back of beyond Missouri farmland. Looks a bit like the number of hits that fighter pilots mark on their jets.

To Ash Grove, MO.

The gentle rollers made for pleasant riding this morning. The afternoon's road looked more like the Big Dipper!

Marshfield, MO.

Another pretty city park for us to camp in. No sooner had our tents dried out after we pitched, and the afternoon thunderstorm arrived. New York Bob and I were on cooking duty tonight. But after an exhausting 64 mile ride, dinner was a simple throw in the pot and heat up meatballs with canned sloppy joe sauce and rice. We didn't slum it totally, we also had salad and dessert.

To Houston, Mo.

The lookout tower at Flatrock. Yes, I climbed to the top. It was swaying in the breeze. After looking down from up there I know why I never fancied trying bungi jumping. The panoramic view was great though.