GDT Day 38 - Cisneros park to near Canon Plaza

Sat. Sept. 10, 2016
Cisneros Park to dispersed campsite above Canôn  Plaza

Start - ~9330'
High pt  ~10220'
Lo pt 8375'
End Elv ~8375'
Climbing 1500+'?

Miles ~26
Total time 5:45
Ride time 3:35
Day with BOB 36

Another blue bird morning, the skies are clear and blue. I have a short day so I wait for the sun, who is also sleeping in later of late. A trend mayhaps. There is a chilly headwind as I take off riding through rolling highlands of forests and parks.
Down down I go and reach Hwy 64 that heads to Taos. I am heading the other way and start the 5 mile climb to Hopewell Lake and more rolling highlands. I water up for today and tomorrow at the campground there and push on.
It becomes partly cloudy and the chill wind persists as I crest Burned Mountain and begin a long down hill. The roads are again rough forest service roads, and both of the shocks on my bike are appreciated on the down hill. I slow down anyway to enjoy this country, as I have a short day.

I roll through these highlands with many good views, and stop near Cisneros Park.
Great view of the Sangres, the Blanca group I think.

GDT Day 37 - Part way up Cumbres Pass to Cisneros Park

Fri. Sept. 9, 2016

Start - ~9975'
High pt  ~10950'
Lo pt 8850'
End Elv ~9330'
Climbing 2000+'?

Miles ~44.2
Total time 7:30
Ride time ???
Day with BOB 35

Beautiful blue bird day, got out of camp early and had a spicy breakfast burro at Fina Diner in Chama.
 Glenda dropped me off on CO Hwy 17 where I would have left the pavement during the rainy patch earlier. It is mostly dried out now, but there are still some big mud holes to negotiate around. The forest roads as much more primitive and rougher than those I have experienced so far. I made the right call last Saturday to stay on the pavement.
What a nice day to ride; it is warm, sunny, just a bit of a breeze, and remarkably nice mountain country to boot.

I did have my first hike a bike since Montana,  a half mile stretch of steep and very rocky terrain to gain the Brazos Ridge. It was worth it for the fantastic views into the Las Cruces Basin, and the Sangres off in the distance.  The route rolled through sparse trees and denser groves, with vistas of mellow rolling mountains near by complemented by more distant views at many junctures.

I have now finished the off pavement route in Colorado. I begin about a 2+ week solo section, with some challenging climbs and mountains, and challenges with water and supplies. I start in moutains, hit arid canyons and plains, and then to the steep riding of the Gila mountains before the chihuahua desert and the border. There are no bike shops until Silver City, in the south side of the Gila Mountains. BTW, the griding noise coming from my rear hub went away with a thorough cleaning during my stay at the Abiquiu Reservoir. I am hoping it was only dirt and grit from all of the wet riding. Fingers crossed.