Jim's Ride Across America: Day 38 Hartsel, CO to Silverthorne, CO

Yorktown, VA to Silverthorne, CO Completed 2,369 miles

Biking Detail Hartsel, CO to Silverthorne, CO

Day 38 Thursday, June 18

Left the lodge at 6:00 and headed back to the saloon in town where Jamie fixed me pancakes, eggs and sausage. Good fuel for climbing as we head towards Fairplay then Hoosier Pass. Crazy amount of car and truck traffic on 9 as we left Hartsel because US285, which parallels 9 to FairPlay, is closed for repairs!!!! All traffic diverted to 9. No shoulder so caution advised! Very stressful ride as heavy traffic BOTH directions making the move over rule for cyclists difficult!! Chilly too! Had to layer up as it was in the low 40's when we left. Clear sky and sunny...and no wind in the face. Good thing because the climb is steady, low grade, but steady.

Stopped in Fairplay for a latte and needed off the bike break from the traffic. U.S. 285 opens back up in Fairplay so little less traffic, but there is a bike trail adjacent to 9 from Fairplay to Alma. Bumpy riding but at least no traffic to contend with. Steady rise into Alma, gained about 1,000 ft in elevation to that point. Met up with Ed in Alma, as we had an earlier start!

Traffic from Alma up and over Hoosier Pass very heavy and cars/trucks pretty unforgiving. That was much worst than the climb itself! Made it to the top, short of breath more from the elevation than the climb. Quick 11 mile ride down to Breckenridge where we stopped for lunch at the Blue Stag Saloon. Ed left us in Breckenridge to bike to Frisco to meet up with a friend for couple of days. I carried on via the bike trail route to Silverthorne where we stayed for the night. Trail was nice as the traffic is heavy between Breckenridge and Silverthorne so nice to have this option.