Day 39: Guffy

Distance: 71 avg: 14

Kevin works at the post office in Breckenridge. ‘And I fucking hate it’, he says. He wants to quit and bike across the country. I tell him I’m having the time of my life and take a sip of my coffee. He looks at me searching, suspect of this bold remark. I look back with energy and sincerity. I see he’s thinking hard, coming to a long-waited resolution. He becomes charged with intensity and resolve. I think he’s going to do what he’s always wanted to do, and have the adventure he’s always wanted to have. I go to pay for my coffee and for an unknown reason he jumps in front of me and pays for my coffee. Looking back I wonder if it’s in thanks for helping him come to his conclusion. Or maybe I just like the idea that somehow I helped convince a guy to quit his boring job and bike across the country.

Before that I woke up. I jumped on my bike and soon realized my rear brake was being funky. Turns out I had bigger problems, my rear wheel was back out of true. Two bike shops and the Frisco Museum later and I’m back on the road. I rode on to Breckenridge and my meeting with Kevin.

After Breckenridge was the intense climb up Hoosier Pass. I made it to the top and it was unsurprisingly snowing. The downhill was intense. I actually didn’t realy get into it until after Fairplay, which had just fab weather and roads.

At Hartsel I risked going further and decided to hit a hostel 24 miles away. I called and talked to Warren, I could sleep in the bunkhouse for ten bucks. Sweet. If I can make it. I get on the road and the weather is perfect. I have an amazing tailwind. I was sustaining a good 35 on the downhills.

What I didn’t know was that I was suddenly in the middle of some
bizarre rivalry between two hostel owners. I see this guy driving this crazy old Plymouth and give him the thumbs up. He turns around and stops. We chat, I take his picture. His name is Bill and runs a hostel. He thought I was going to his hostel, and was dissapointed when I wasn’t. Still, a good guy.

I get to warren’s hostel and I chat with him about bill and it becomes very apparent he fucking hates bill! I must admit, I had a bit of fun winding him up. They’re both grizzled old guys, big beards, mountain men.

Anyway, epic day. Time for bed!