Montrose, CO to Gunnison, CO
65.6m
The last day! Two easy passes and a long run into Gunnison.
The first climb to Cerro Summit was 15 miles long but very gradual. There was a bit of a headwind but it was not a huge factor. The second climb (Blue Mesa) was about 10 miles and equally gradual. Then there was one small climb and a beautiful sweeping descent to the Blue Mesa Resevoir and the Curecanti National Recreation Area. At one point I hit a bug at 40 mph and it splatted on my sunglasses. Yuck.
Cerro Summit
Blue Mesa Resevoir
Bizarre photo
A convenient tailwind pushed us the last 20 miles into Gunnison. I was really "smelling the barn" by that time and I hammered all the way in...passing riders that had passed me on the climbs. Now that the hills were done there was no reason to hold back.
The last rest stop
Woo-hoo!
All done! We loaded up the car and headed for Colorado Springs.
Two days later we were back in Maryland.