Sometimes I like splorin as much as I like riding. But I hate rain!
It was pretty much a mud fest in Fruita Last week. A couple nights steady rain and storms during the day. So the plan was short rides between the waves of rain. I could also drive around on the paved roads and check out a few new places.
Well it started to rain just as I got my tent set up and it rained and the wind blew all night.
Tuesday A.M. light rain and it looked like more rain on the way. Thought it would be a good day to check out Baxter Pass and the Uintah Railway and see if I could find the start of Little Wing. I loaded up the bike just in case the sun came out long enough for a ride.And it did.
looking for Little Wing
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| From May 16-20, 2011Baxter Pass and the Uintah Railway |
Tuesday P.M. more light rain.
Wed. A.M. more rain occasionally I would get a view of the Book Cliffs and La Sal Mountains covered with fresh snow! But it was clearing I thought it was going to be like yesterday. Boy was I wrong.
a moto track somewhere in Colorado
steady rain and I’m about 4 miles from camp!
Soon the tires were caked with sticky muck and wouldn’t turn anymore. I was still about 2 miles out. Oh well. Soaking wet, I scraped as much mud off my tires and bike that I could, hoisted the bike on my back and prepared myself for the hike back. Funny I always try and convince myself this is like backpacking. It must have been my lucky day I got a ride most of the way.
No use in trying to get a fire going in the rain. So I changed my cloths in the out house then it was back to getting warm in the car.
It was still raining. I tell myself this builds character. To pass the time while it was raining went to Fruita to wash the mud off the bike.
Wed. P.M. more rain and top ramen and sitting in the car.
Thurs. A.M. It was clearing. Sitting in the car it was warm. The windows magnified the heat nicely. Decided to cook last nights dinner for breakfast while I waited for things to dry out a bit . Made a couple extra burritos for the ride.
Hard to get excited about a ride now after the last few days of rain. Moab weather forecast called for clearing with a chance of a rain shower nicer by Fri. and a chance of a thunderstorm. If I could get through just one more day.
the old Denver and Rio Grand R.R. grade
For once no rain in the evening. Maybe it was over. It started to rain about 2 in the morning it was still raining when I got up. So much for a chance of a shower! It was a steady rain and everything had turned to mud. I drove to Fruita to waste some time.
Barely made it back to the campground through the slick mud. It was starting to clear a little but I didn’t care I was throwing in the towel. I had already had enough rain for a year. Just enough information to plan my next trip. A little rain it’s bound to happen sooner or latter glad it doesn’t happen very often out there.
There is a lot more to ride in the Grand Valley than just what’s published.
