TELLURIDE, COLORADO
I began the day in Colorado Springs, where I parked at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort and boarded a bus along with other riders for the weeklong Ride the Rockies. We were transported to Telluride for check-in.
As a rookie, the first day was a little daunting. Grab the luggage from the bus, check in with Ride the Rockies, then check in with Alpine Cycle Connection, followed by checking in with Alpine Lodging. Take a bus to the Riverside Condo. Drop luggage. Go back to check in. Find my bike. Remove it from the crate. Build it. Take the box to High Country Shipping and pay to have it shipped to Colorado Springs. Relax.
Once I could relax, I decided to explore a little. I took a bike path out of town until it ended. There I met Chris and Erin, two locals from Telluride who had paddled down the San Miguel River. I met a lot of fun folks, and they were the most fun of the day. “Carbon neutral” or zero, as Chris described it. They paddled down and would hitch a ride back in a passing pickup truck. And they did.
Telluride is a former silver mining town. Victorian homes are ever-present. The scenery is stunning. Just eight blocks wide and 12 blocks long, I still felt I didn’t have enough time to really explore. Light was fading.
I did not take the free gondola up to the mountain village. Saving something for next time. I don’t think I’ve seen a town with so many dogs. Big dogs. Friendly big dogs. This is a delightful town.
The downtown was closed off for the evening for entertainment. My new friends, Chris and Erin, asked if I would join them, but I was on Eastern time. It was bedtime. And a big ride tomorrow awaits.
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