Day 20 Salida, CO to Pueblo, CO  95 miles and 2516 feet of climbing

It was another beautiful morning in the mountain town of Salida. We rode out of the parking lot of our hotel back on to Highway 50 headed east, bound for Pueblo, CO. Highway 50 follows the path of the Arkansas River, winding its way through spectacular canyons, so the scenery was beautiful. The water is really flowing fast this year due to a record amount of snowfall they had in the Rockies. We watched river rafters getting tossed around like rag dolls as they went down the river rapids.

I just don't have an eye for taking good pictures. But trust me on this, the river and the scenery were impressive!

What was not so impressive was the relentless headwind that we faced today for virtually every mile we pedaled to Pueblo. Except for a 4-mile climb at mile 40, the route was actually all slightly downhill, but it did not feel that way as we fought the wind.

As is my habit, I muscled through, stopping only briefly at the SAG stops to fill my water bottles and eat some granola bars. Then I was back out on the road, cursing the wind like a drunken sailor.  Alternatively, the British National Men's Cycling Team- Masters Division and some of the other riders chose to tour a few of the small towns we passed through, even stopping to sample the local cuisine. It's only natural that they, as visitors in our great country, would want to really experience these places and not just ride on through them at breakneck speeds. However, it has been my experience that actually eating at these local places can be akin to playing a dangerous game of Russian Roulette with your stomach. It's one thing if after devouring, "The Porkinator" at the local hotspot in  Canon City, CO, you can crawl back to your hotel room, lie down and pray to God that the feeling passes (one way or another). It's quite another when you must say to yourself, "My stomach is killing me, and I still have 45 miles to ride to get to my hotel room! I'm F*****!".

For me, it's challenging enough to ride all these miles and climb all these mountains when my stomach is relatively happy. Angering my stomach is the last thing I need when there are miles to go before I can get a hot shower and a cocktail. But I've always heard that the British are a hardy bunch. And I have no doubt that my new British friends are far more experienced and worldly than I. They probably have stomachs of steel for all I know. They certainly have legs of steel, why not their bellies as well?

Speaking of "stomachs of steel," tonight we were treated to the amazing, one of a kind dining experience that is, Golden Corral.  Enough said.

Tomorrow is a rest day, and I plan to meet an acquaintance at the local correctional facility and make a trip to Walmart for some provisions and to get some dental work done. Dental work at Walmart you ask? Yes, Walmart has a dentist. It'll be my first time going to a Walmart dentist, and truthfully I was a little apprehensive. But tonight at dinner when I looked around at the patrons in the local Golden Corral they seemed to have no problem polishing off plate after plate of ribs, fried chicken, brisket, corn on the cob or any of the other 150 delicacies they feature in the buffet line. If these locals are any indication, I think I'll be in good hands.

I looked for a miniature golf course in the area but was unable to locate one. I may be forced to just hang out at Walmart until the novocaine wears off and people watch.

There is a major classic car show going on this weekend at the nearby Colorado State Fairgrounds. They say over 3000 cars will be on display. At least 15 of the cars are in the parking lot of our hotel, and they look spectacular. One of our riders, Leonard, a recently retired machinist from Ohio, can name all of them and even tell you the different engines they came with. Very impressive. But it doesn't surprise me, he's a solid guy.

PS- I have some excellent video of the river and the beautiful scenery. I'll figure a way to include it here or include a link to it.