Tale of two days

The day started bright and sunny in Durango, CO. We split into two groups today. Raimonds and I went with the group that planned to ride the Million Dollar Highway, otherwise known as US 550. What a ride that turned out to be. As we left Durango, we passed the Durango-Silverton train. An original coal burning locomotive. The road climbed up to just over 10,000 feet as we crossed over the mountain and down into Silverton, CO--a famous old mining town.

We then climbed another mountain, this time reaching 11,500 feet. The road was a motorcyclist's dream. Twisties and sweepers and even a few hairpin curves thrown in. At the base of this mountain was the town of Montrose. Had lunch. Got about 5 miles out of town and heading into the mountains when we had to pull over and don the rain gear. We were headed into a wild lightening and rainstorm.

We did another 11,500 ft mountain in the rain. It was so bad at one point that we had to stop and wait it out. Ultimately, we did most of the last 200 miles in the rain and cold. What we could see of the scenery was still fascinating.

Made it into Leadville 11 hours after we left Durango. Wet, cold and smiling ear to ear with the memory of the dry part of the day.