In Memory of Warmer Summers

Ordway, CO to Pueblo, CO

Friendly horn taps: 1

Miles: 69

Total so far: 2, 656

Sunset by our camp site at Lake Pueblo State Park

On this ride it takes quite a lot of food to maintain our caloric intake and keep up with the demands placed on our bodies.  Sometimes, I’ve been known to kid around about the topic and say that we ride in order to eat, not the other way around.

Sallie engages some of the locals in Olney Springs, CO. We are far enough away from our starting point now, that when she says she's ridden from the east coast of Florida, their jaws tend to drop.

In the morning, we have prepared ahead of time some instant oatmeal packets, placed into one quart freezer bags.  These are composed of two servings each person, and enhanced with extra raisins, or dried cranberries – Sallie has even tried dried coconut milk before – anything to spice them up.  We use tiny backpacker’s stoves utilizing pressurized isobutane/propane fuel mix.  These boil water in about three minutes.  From that Sallie makes her coffee (using a French press) and I make some herbal tea (I am staying away from caffeine for the journey).  Using the remaining boiling water, we put a measured amount in the freezer bags, and then set them aside to cook in an insulated bag.  When done, there are no dishes to wash.  We try to get bananas for the mornings too, but that is sometimes hit and miss.

Sallie exclaims, "We are in the west now, you can tell."

We have water bottles on the bikes, but our primary source of water is from 70 ounce Camelbak hydration systems.  These ensure we have cold water all day long, as we stop at convenience stores and top them off with ice frequently.  The hazard at the convenience stores getting ice (usually available at the soda dispensers for no charge) is the snacks.  That combines with our need for calories and has to be monitored.  Today for instance, there were no bananas in evidence when we went to the first store, so I got the next best thing – chocolate Hostess cupcakes.  Sallie was good about that stop, but caved in for some blueberry pie at our next stop.  Later, I got some smoked almonds, and one of those Slurpee imitations (small size of course).

A barbecue competition and street celebration in Pueblo. Of course we stopped by!

For lunch we had errands to run in Pueblo, so we ended up going to a local barbecue competition for some overpriced pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans, Fritos, and a soda (diet soda is not necessary, but not uncommon).  We closed out the day with another old family recipe at our campsite made in freezer bag style – Ramen noodles, peas, and tuna.  I think there were a handful or two of dry roasted peanuts passed around too.  Oh, and maybe a cookie or two for desert.

I’ve become fond of saying, “Food is for consumption, not for carrying.”  Food weighs the bike down too much!

One more thing…I take this for granted, so I almost forgot to mention it — I have lost weight on this trip.  We both have.  I don’t want the readers to get the wrong impression with all the snacking reports.

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Tomorrow’s ride is dedicated to Anthony Veris Maness

Anthony (Tony) Veris Maness

Tony Maness was killed on March 11, 1998 while riding his bicycle to work in the Denver, Colorado area.  Tony was 30 years old