Hopkins 4K for Cancer

July 8, 2003

Alpine highs and desert lows
Day 48

Redstone, CO to Montrose, CO



Today we got to see Colorado’s alpine highs, desert lows and everything in between. Well fortified with last night’s pasta dinner we set out up the valley of the Crystal River, a very scenic stream surrounded on both sides with beautiful leafy trees and towering rock faces.



After only a few miles of shady riding, we encountered the infamous McClure Pass (8,755 ft) that was described by last year’s group as “one of the hardest of the entire trip.” Fortunately for us it was still early in the morning, and we were quite relieved to see that the hill was short and sweet (but very steep).



While recovering from our arduous climb, many in the group seemed to be suffering from what has become a chronic affliction of the Hopkins 4K for Cancer: flatulence. Many theories abound as to the gaseous nature of our nether regions, but most of us blame the altitude for forcing these embarrassing and unpleasant winds from our bodies. After resolving to limit our roughage and fiber intake (fat chance), we had an incredible downhill through the Gunnison National Forest.
Everyone enjoyed this last chance to look at the mountains, forests, and lakes since a few dozen miles later (and a few thousand feet down) we encountered our first real taste of the desert.
This area of Colorado has some fruit orchards hugging the edge of the desert, and most of the riders managed to stop in for some peaches, cherries, apricots and a delicious concoction called “honeybutter.” (mmmm)



The twenty miles from Hotchkiss (our lunch stop) to Delta were through arid wasteland complete with a few artistically scattered animal bones and freshly paved blacktop that ensured we were all evenly cooked at 100 degrees Fahrenheit for a good hour and a half.



Needless to say, morale was low by the time we rolled into Delta, but we all pushed through the last twenty miles of a very long day to make our appointment for showers in Montrose. Luckily, John managed to rearrange things so we had a few hours to rest in the basement of the Lutheran church and recover from the heat.



Keeping with an unofficial Hopkins 4k motto “no ice-cream parlor left behind,” Alice and I went to Dairy Queen for some badly needed shakes. After dinner the big event of the evening (at least for me) was the beginning of the third, and final, leg of the trip. It is hard to believe that we only have a few weeks left before crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, but some of the hardest riding is yet to come!



Matt Woodbury