Day Four on RTR
Salida to Leadville
by Steve Robb
Day Four was a long uphill grind, with the benefit of a tailwind. Salida to Leadville was a 60-mile trip that was pretty much a steady climb from 7000 ft. to 10,400 ft. Except for a few downhill runs here and there, we spent almost the entire trip climbing up to Leadville. The tailwind was a great help however. We made the trip in just over 5 hours, and were scouting for a campsite in Leadville by 12:30. Our average speed was just over 13.5 mph. Overall it was an easy day of cycling.
We enjoyed some spectacular scenery during the trip as some of the tallest mountain ranges in Colorado loomed before us on the left. On the right side we were greeted to wonderful vistas of the Arkansas River and the mountain ranges beyond. There were a lot of rafters coming down the Arkansas.
Leadville is the highest town in Colorado at over 10,400 ft. It is an old mining town. The downtown area was very interesting and quaint. The views all around you are impressive. High snow capped mountains surround the town. Still, it is just so high. You are out of breath at the least bit of physical exertion. We camped on the football field at the high school and wondered how they could play football outdoors in the fall, and at this altitude!
Tomorrow is the biggest climbing challenge yet. We have a 55-mile hike from Leadville to Aspen with the queen ascent of the tour before us…..12055 ft. Independence Pass! We hope to summit before noon, as weather gets pretty stormy on the top in the afternoon.
