Day 29 Allen’s Park to Boulder

41 miles (66 km) – Total so far: 1,458 miles (2,346 km)

The sun rises here at about 6:50 am at the moment and it’s hard to be in the tent after that. The forecast is for mid30s temperature today. I was packed and away for 7:45 am, and up the mile and a half hill to the Tapestry Cafe for the fourth and last time. After a granola, yoghurt and berry special, and strong coffee the time had come to ride the final miles of the course.

I have learnt from previous bad choices for finishing places (Calais, John O’Groats, Palermo, Portland Maine, Malaga) and today’s riding and finish place was exceptional. After 6 miles of big rollers the highway 36 turns north east away from the Peak to Peak and descends down St Vrain Canyon. In 14 miles it loses almost 2,500 feet with magnificent scenery to boot. At Lyons the road turns south and heads over the rolling Flatiron Foothills into Boulder.

I was in Boulder just over 4 years ago on vacation when living in Chile. Especially without the students (as it is the seat of the University of Colorado) it is a great place, in the shadow of the Flatiron range.

Two incidents of note, both involving passing motorists who were too close. Initially i let them know, with some hand gestures. Then, hopefully I catch them up and discuss it with them. The first was a truck and trailer who followed suit with an item I saw on the local news a couple of weeks ago. By changing gear down and accelerating the exhaust emits clouds of fumes. The news item said it was a fad of young drivers ‘at war’ with cyclists at the moment. Police had caught two and charged them with dangerous driving. It has happened to me on probably ten occasions this course. The second was a truck and caravan, and two hundred metres up the road he pulled over. We ended up having a long discussion and sharing a joke. He was a local solicitor, and cyclist – said he wouldn’t cross the yellow line, and had given me 3 feet. I said 2 foot 6, in the end we agreed on 2 foot 9 and that he was too close. He knew Cumbria well having holidayed in the National Park several times.

So here at Boulder I am finished. A short ride to Budget car rental tomorrow, then into Denver. Mile High City is only 30 miles away, and there is no attraction on riding there on the big highways. I will post a resume tomorrow, and sample Boulder’s delights later this afternoon.

Distance 41 miles, Ride time 2 hrs 58 minutes, Average speed 13.9 mph, Max Speed 36.4 mph, Departed 9:00 am, arrived 12:30 pm. Altitude 1630 metres.