Western Express 2021

Introduction Equipment List Getting to the Starting Point Western Express Day #1 Pueblo, CO to Westcliffe, CO Western Express Day #2 Westcliffe, CO to Maysville, CO Western Express Day #3 Maysville, CO to Sapinero, CO Western Express Day #4 Sapinero, CO to Ridgway, CO Western Express Day #5 Ridgway, CO to Telluride, CO Western Express Day #6 Telluride, CO to Dolores, CO Western Express Day #7 Dolores, CO to Monticello, UT Western Express Day #8 Monticello, UT to Natural Bridges Campground, UT Western Express Day #9 Natural Bridges Campground, UT to Hanksville, UT Western Express Day #10 Hanksville, UT to Singletree Creek, UT Western Express Day #11 Singletree Creek, UT to Escalante, UT Western Express Day #12 Escalante, UT to Red Canyon Campground Western Express Day #13 Red Canyon Campground, UT to Cedar City, UT Western Express Day #14 Cedar City, UT to Milford, UT Western Express Day #15 Milford, UT to Baker, NV Western Express Day #16 Baker, NV to Ely, NV Western Express Day #17

EQUIPMENT LIST <<BIKE>> • Surly Long Haul Trucker 64cm frame 700c wheels • SRAM PG-950 9 speed 11-34 Cassette (11-13-15-17-20-23-26-30-34) • modified 22-32-44 chain ring • Brooks B67 Saddle • Schwalbe Marathon Plus HS 440 700 x 35m Tires • Shimano PD-M324 dual sided pedals • Tubus Cargo Evo Rear Rack • Tubus Tara Front Rack • Planet Bike Cascadia bike fenders - 700c x 45mm • Bondcush (3mm) Tempo BLACK Bar tape • 3 Water Bottle Cages • Lezyne Air pump mount • CatEye - Volt 300 Rechargeable Headlight  (mounted to front rack with with hose clamps and 1” wooden dowel) • Serfas Superbright USB Taillight (mounted to rear rack with Planet Bike Tail Light Rack Bracket) • Kryptonite KryptoFlex 1018 Combo Cable Lock • Bontrager Solstice MIPS Helmet (yellow) • Da Brim Sporty Helmet Visor  • WOVTE Universal 360° Adjustable Cycling Eyeglass Rearview Mirror <<TOOLS & SPARE PARTS>> • 2 Rema Tip Top patch kits  • Park Tool Emergency Tire Boot • 2 Inner Tubes 700C x 35-4

Getting to the Starting Point  This summer’s tour had a complicated start. In addition to and prior to my bike tour I was bringing my mother’s remains to the summit of Flattop Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. There were so many complicated moving parts that needed to perfectly mesh, and I was particularly nervous this time. I began organizing and packing for the tour about a week before my flight to Denver. On Monday I had brought my bike back over to Sun & Air bike shop in Brooklyn. My chain had been skipping on the front middle chain ring and I thought that maybe the chain needed to be shortened. After my spring tour in April the mechanics had replaced the chain, rear cassette, rear derailleur, and all of the cables and housing. Back at the shop, I was told that my middle chain ring was worn, and that there wasn’t enough time to order a replacement. Why had this not been pointed out to me the first time? The mechanic compared the transmission parts to roommates. The new

Western Express Day #1 June 1, 2021 Pueblo, CO to Westcliffe, CO - 57 Miles Start 12:26PM, Finish 9:03PM Ride Time: 7:11 Ascent: 4917' Descent: 1685' Tour Total Miles: 57 Pueblo to Wetmore Details at: https://cyclemeter.com/3f1ef27914a4c684/Cycle-20210601-1126-36620 Wetmore to Westcliff Details at: https://cyclemeter.com/3f1ef27914a4c684/Cycle-20210601-1553-41353 The Western Express route begins in Pueblo Colorado on the edge of the Rocky Mountains, at an elevation of 4,692′. The route has four map sections and I was beginning on section four. The rental car drop off went smoothly. I clipped everything onto my bike and rode into town for breakfast. I was wearing my cycling shorts and short-sleeve jersey. I went to B Street Cafe and they were no longer serving breakfast, so I got a cheese burger and fries. While I was waiting I adjusted my handlebar bag mount, dug out my sunscreen, and looked for my UV covers. I was dismayed to realize that my UV covers were missing. I was alrea

Western Express Day #2 June 2, 2021 Westcliffe, CO to Maysville, CO - 61 Miles Start 9:11AM, Finish 6:30PM Ride Time: 5:55 Ascent: 2492' Descent: 1811' Tour Total Miles: 116 Details at: https://cyclemeter.com/3f1ef27914a4c684/Cycle-20210602-0911-64217 I slept incredibly well at the Courtyard Country Inn in Westcliffe. It was my best nights sleep since I got to Colorado. Before turning in I cranked up the heat to dry out all my wet gear. I attempted to charge my devices and realized that I only brought one charging cable for my portable charger. I always bring an extra, but the additional one I packed was the wrong kind. These cables are finicky and my power pack didn’t charge a single percentage point during the night. This morning I turned off the heat and cracked open the door. My lips were chapped from the dry humidity. With the daylight I could admire the charming little hotel with it’s lush garden and funky decorations. I met two guests in the courtyard and asked for break

Western Express Day #3 June 3, 2021 Maysville, CO to Sapinero, CO - 79 Miles Start 7:12AM, Finish 6:02PM Ride Time: 7:30 Ascent: 3396' Descent: 4434' Tour Total Miles: 194 Details at: https://cyclemeter.com/3f1ef27914a4c684/Cycle-20210603-0712-30711 Last night I went to bed early, while it was still light out. It was too cold to take a shower or linger at the picnic table. I slept for a good long time and was cold in my sleeping bag. I pretty much pushjed the bag’s thermal limit. For those keeping track, I was at level two today. It was a slow pack up, and I smeared aloe vera all over my burns. The tent fly was soaked from condensation and I had to travel with it underneath my rear pack. The climb began immediately. I neither ate lunch nor dinner yesterday. As my cycling friends know, I’m a camel. In addition, I had a COVID belly that I needed to slim. Starting a major climb on an empty stomach didn't bother me. I could always pull over to eat granola or cook myself a freez