For some reason we weren’t really motivated today and although the ride beside the Blue Mesa reservoir was very scenic, we just wanted to get to our destination, wherever that might be. It was hot and as had often been the case, many of the anticipated refreshment stops had ceased trading. I’m not sure why; maybe tourism is taking a downturn during this reportedly bleak period for the economy. We passed an English guy going in the opposite direction who seemed to be on even more of an adventure than we were. He didn’t even have proper cycle route maps and was basically just winging his way around interesting parts of America and then putting himself and his bike on a bus to explore a new part of the country. We told him where the rest stops and campsites we had seen were. He had come all the way from Montrose today, but it was unlikely we were going to make it that far. Especially the mood we were in. We decided to stop at the Black Canyon RV Park. It was threatening rain and the campsite had cool little covered “huts” beside each pitch with a picnic bench, so if it did rain we would be dry. Typically it didn’t rain, but we enjoyed our stay at this cute little site.

Total climb:

1993 feet

Summed up:

A lazy feeling day

Blue Mesa Reservoir

Looking down the gorge

Our lovely campsite

The view from our tent

Total Distance:

40.850 mi

Total Time Cycling:

5h 07m 53s