Eater of Monarchs

Holy Mary MuFu. The ride out of Howard, CO. was steadily uphill right up to the aproach to Monarch Pass. Then it REALY got uphill. A 6% grade winding up the mountain for over ten miles. I walked most of it as the altitide realy started getting to me. The scenery was just sublime. Unbelieveable, in fact. At around 5:30pm or so I was at about 10,900 feet and realy starting to burn out. The sun was going down, clouds were thickening, and it was starting to snow. I pushed the bike on. Finaly at 11,200+ I made it over the pass laughing and crying at the same time like a maniac.

The run down the other side was ball-shrinking adrenaline. Ten miles in the driving snow, flying down the mountain like I was on a motorcycle. After reaching the bottom in a town called Sargents, a bar maid told me of a place a little down the road where I could camp. Not a bad spot. The ride here to Gunison was easy after tackling that Monarch. Probably head on to Sapinero after lunch.