Thursday and Friday's ride.

Thursday:
Today's ride to Salida was a northern ride. On the left was the range we crossed yesterday. To the right another mountain range. In between was a wide flat valley. We headed north for 100 kilometres, as straight as an arrow, with little habitation. But we made good time. At one point I was leading a draft line, going up to 34 kph. At the northern part of the valley the two ranges met. We did a little bit of climbing to reach a summit. Then it was a 8 miles of going downhill. Many people reached 50mph/80kph. I reached 66kph.

We left at 6:45 and arrived at 1pm.. Our campground was the town's fair grounds. There was very little grass to put our tents, but I found a place. Went into town to McDonalds for smoothie and Internet. At night a group of women practiced roller derby. Our meeting was held in a horse barn.

Friday:
Today we decided to take it easy knowing it would be an easy day. (Since when was a 100 km day easy? When the last two were 130 kms, with climbs and this was going to be mainly downhill.) So three of was went to a restaurant for a full breakfast. We starting riding at 8 and was still in Canon City at noon.

The ride was one of the most enjoyable and scenic so far. For 80kms, we followed the Arkansas river, downhill. The river carved out a canyon so the views were great. We saw people fly fishing, as well as white water rafting. There was a steep climb at the end, followed by another descent.

Tonight we are staying on the grounds of a former abbey, which also housed a boys school. As a result, we had the option of staying in a dorm room for $14. I took up the offer. No tent for me tonight but a real bed, the first since Vanguard, nearly three weeks ago.