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Saturday, October 7, 2017

Last of the season - a long alpine mountain bike journey

Near the end of our summer trip, I had one last long mountain bike ride to do. You see, my spine really cannot handle riding in our LabMobile on rough 4WD roads. So, I did a long ride to meet the pack at a trailhead on a smooth road.

I am never leave this place easily. This was one last look backward before I left the the prominent mountain range near our campsite. I know how fragile life is so I always say a little wish that we will be back here again.

It was about a 40 minute climb until I crossed over a pass and entered a new mountain range with a wonderful singletrack path leading the way.

It was a glorious day, with no threat of storms the entire day. This was the view when I was partway up the climb to the highest point in the ride. I had prepared myself to be forced to push my bike up this very long and steep climb. I've done this route before, and I couldn't ride this climb. It was too steep.
Much to my surprise, I did pedal almost all of it! I trained harder this summer than I have in a long time, and it truly paid off. It made these high mountain rides into pure joy rather than heavy-legged slogs.

If you look closely in the next photo, you can see the thread of a trail that I'd climbed up starting in the left middle of the photo and then sinuously climbing up to where I was. I was at the top! The majority of the hard work of the ride was behind me.

As I descended, I ran into wildflowers, and you know that seeing them brings me to a standstill! An entire alpine meadow was filled with flowers. I really couldn't do it justice with my camera.

After relaxing with the wildflowers for a while, I headed further down. I saw a sight that is probably foreign to most of you. A big herd of sheep was spread out across the hillside and the trail.

There was no human with them. Rather, a sheep-guarding dog kept a close eye on them. When I first started through the herd, the dog got up and kept a close eye on me. I know that these dogs have a job that they understand very well - protect the sheep against any threats, and humans can fall into that category. So, I got off my bike and talked to the dog softly. He lay down and looked utterly relaxed.
I thought that the guard dog had dismissed any worries about me so I hopped on my bike to ride through the flock. Then, I glanced behind me, and the guard dog was right behind my back wheel. I took that as a sign to dismount and walk again. He seemed much happier with me walking so I made it through the herd peaceably.

I arrived at the trailhead with almost perfect timing. Our time in the southwest of Colorado was almost over. We stopped for ice cream in a nearby town, and then we drove partway home that day. We stopped to camp that night at a special place before driving the rest of the way home. More about that later.

Enjoy your weekend!

18 comments:

  1. Hari OM
    Oooohhh a Meremma!!! Yes, they are wonderfurs dogs at their job. What a delightful scene. Those flowers are astonishingly heart-lifting. YAM xx

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  2. it surprises me that riding a bike is better than riding an atv.. I have lower back problems and might try out the stationery bike at the Y. those flowers could not be any more gorgeous, you did do justice to them. the sheep make me feel warm and fuzzy inside and the pic of the dog with his sheep just warmed the cockles of my heart. I stared at it a long time. I would love to walk through a herd of sheep

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    1. I've actually never ridding an atv but the Runner drives our 4wd high-clearance van on very very rough jeep roads. Riding in it on those roads is agonizing for me. I think that part of why a bike is so much kinder to the spine is that it's easier to choose a line that avoids the biggest rocks and holes.

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  3. So glad you got opportunities to escape and enjoy those beautiful mountain trails. I was grounded most of this spring and summer with a new problem you know all too well. I have two collapsed discs in my neck now... Your wildflower shot made me so green with envy! I enjoyed seeing the herd and the dog at peace, too. PT is done now, and I'm gently, slowly working my way back out there! Hope to get a few more shots this weekend. I hope they are as beautiful as yours!

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    1. I left a note over at your blog. I'm wondering when your injury happened and if you had surgery. I'm cheering you on as you come back! I did see that you were spectating the Ride the Rockies but I didn't realize that you were hurt :(

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  4. What a beautiful ride...beautiful flowers, and traveling through a sheep herd...WOW!

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  5. What a beautiful end-of-season post! We wonder if the storm coming in tomorrow is going to hit you? It is mostly missing us. We are heading to red rock in the morning for a few days.

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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    1. It's hitting us! The weather forecasters are saying 8-12". Every year, it feels too early for that much snow!

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  6. I am thinking the sheep and their dog will be lower down very soon, before that snow storm arrives. Beautiful Autumn trails, so glad you managed this trip before the weather turns.

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  7. Such a gorgeous ride! Really beautiful and good for you being in such good shape.
    The flowers are gorgeous, what a joy at this time of year!

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  8. Going through the sheep herd must have been pretty special!
    hugs
    Hazel & Mabel

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  9. What a beautiful place! Sheep come here in the spring to help clear the brush and weeds for fire safety and I love to watch the dogs in action. From a distance....

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  10. Very cool to see the working dog and his/her sheep! I do remember reading a news article about a hiker being killed by a guard dog so your caution was not out of line!

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  11. You do live in an utterly beautiful part of the world, and clearly appreciate every moment!

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  12. What a beautiful ride with such gorgeous wildflowers! What a treat to see the sheep and their guardian!

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  13. What an experience! I can see exactly why it means so much to you. ♥

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  14. A long ride rewarded with breath-taking scenery. Love it!

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