After a punishing day 2, we were slow to start and eager for a break. Today's original route took us from Basalt to Glenwood Springs, then up on top of the flat tops North of Glenwood and back down near Dotsero. This was an ambitious route that had a really intense climb in the middle.
Outlined Route
In universal agreement, we decided to skip the climb and enjoy the Glenwood Canyon bike path instead. It meant a slightly shorter day, but no one was complaining.
We started off riding down the Rio Grande Trail from Basalt to Glenwood Springs. There was a fire going on near Rifle, do we were also contending with some poor air quality.
The Rio Grande bike path
Isaac's wonderful wife left him a change of clothes and some tea in a drop car, and we enjoyed a morning cheers to help our ragged throats from the smoke.
A more adult, refined cheers
Once we passed through Carbondale, we took a short elevator ride to the bridge over the Colorado and we were in the canyon!
No reason to climb the stairs
I hadn't ridden in Glenwood Canyon in a long time, and it was really amazing. It's a combination of looking at the towering canyon walls and the engineering feat of the highway.
Along the Colorado River
After that, it was into some bike path along the I-70 frontage road. We'd ridden some of this road a couple years ago, and it is an interesting way to experience I-70.
Picked up a guy riding from Steamboat
In a departure from the previous day's death March, we took the opportunity to stop at the Eagle River Brewing Company for pizza and beer. This got us thinking and talking - do we like really remote sections, or do we like a little Euro tour with amenities? Hard to beat pizza and beer.
Delicious beer on a hot day
Due to the shortened day, we rolled into Eagle about 4 with plenty of time to hit the shower, don the cutoffs, and check out the local scene. It was a lot of fun to have some beers and dinner when the sun was up!
Checking in to the Best of Westerns
Headed to dinner
We ate at this awesome place in downtown Eagle that served us some excellent Coors and burgers. I actually ate here a few years ago when I was in Eagle for the Enduro race series, and it was just as good.
The Brush Creek Saloon
All in all, we made the right decision - shorter day with a lot less climbing and a fun last evening in Eagle.
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