Road to Utah Day 4
18 June 2008
Well, I hit the road around 1100 hrs after I wrote the Day 3 Post at the nearby Starbucks. It was the best ride day yet, as I took US-50 from Pueblo over the Continental Divide to Grand Junction. Temperatures ranged from 95 to 56 degrees. The 305 mile ride went through some spectacular country along a river that flowed east along the highway from Salida. I passed scores of White Water rafters making their way down the river.
US-50 Timichi Creek?
US-50 near Salida, Co
W/B US-50
The highway climbed over the Continental divide at 11,000 plus feet with temperatures in the high 50’s, making it a little nippy for about a half hour, through the snow covered peaks. The highway was filled with twisties and road surface was clean and clear with very little traffic until I hit Gunnison.
The Continental Divide
As I descended out of the mountainous terrain towards the high desert, I could feel the air temperature getting warmer. There were two events going on, a Bicycle Rally and a Charity Motorcycle Rally, the Colorado 500. I met and talked with one of the riders of the Moto Rally in Gunnison who was wearing an Aerostich t-shirt and riding a ST1100. The bicycle riders clogged the road and caused traffic delays. Some of them looked in great shape and others proved that some folks just shouldn’t wear spandex.
After Gunnison, I passed a beautiful blue body of water surrounded by rugged terrain called Blue Mesa Reservoir. I tried to take a few pictures one handed with gloves on using my throttle hand which was kind of challenging. It resulted in one shot being off kilter.
US-50 Blue Mesa Reservoir looking east
W/B US-50, holding my camera out along my right leg
Trying to ride and take pics….not too good an idea but it was exciting. I straightened the photo out as best I could.
As I got out of the mountains and hills, I arrived in Montrose to get fuel and water. There I paid the highest price yet for mid-grade fuel.
$4.39 per gallon. High compared to Texas prices.
After talking with a guy who was waiting for a bus that was two hours late, I did my final leg for the day to Grand Junction. There I would link up to I-70 for my last leg to SLC. It was in the mid 90’s and that was the last place for a Best Western Hotel. Coming up US-50, dropped me into the middle of town. I decided to look for a coffee shop to get Internet access to get the address and a drink. I stopped at a local coffee hangout “Java House” which had water misters on the patio and free Wi-Fi.
The Java House
After a refreshing Italian Soda, I learned that there was one more town Fruita, Co 30 miles down the road with a new La Quinta. I opted to cut my next day ride short another 30 miles and hit I-70 for the short ride. There is literally nothing between Fruita and Green River Utah on I-70, which is about 100 miles.
I arrived in Fruita at 1700 hrs and got a suite with a Jaccuzzi. Barney the hat must have gotten tired from his fourth day on the road and after a quick soak in the hot tub, he went to bed early.
I saw a place called Rib City near the motel, so I left Barney in the room and headed there for dinner. I don’t normally order Baby back ribs but thought I would try the rib/rib sampler, of both Baby backs and St. Louis style. To me, St. Louis style are to ribs, like a Porterhouse is to steak. Anyway, they got the baby back thing nailed and they were sweet and worth ordering the next time I come through. The St Louis style were also good but not as good as the Baby’s. Out of the sauces the sweet BBQ sauce was the best of the three choices, Spicey and Carolina (Vinegary). I think this place is money when it comes to Baby Backs and is better than most of the places I have tried at home in Texas.
The Rib-Rib Combination comes with two sides
Tomorrow I have a short 258 mile ride to SLC, which should put me just in time to arrive for lunch. I called Milky and told him not to eat lunch, as I would be there it time to break bread with him. We will have a half day to get ready for the 5 day ride with the guys from California and I can do some laundry and put on some clean underwear.
Here is todays map and I highly recommend US-50 as an alternate way through Colorado, in lieu of the Interstates especially if it is hot. You will get a brief respite from the heat and see some great scenery.
Day #4 305 miles
SPOT tracker map with my OK checks. The battery is in week 4 now and still going strong. Amazing!
Wow - those ribs do look delicious! Your photos really tell the story, especially with such good dialogue. You seem to have great luck in finding good food and decent places to stay. The scenery is just so spectacular. Stay safe and give Son #1 a hug for me. I know he will appreciate it.
A more scenic alternative route from Pueblo to Grand Junction is Hwy 96 west to Westcliffe, CO. Then north on Hwy 69 to Texas Creek. That will add about 45 minutes to the ride butt the scenery is beautiful and the climb up the mountains is not to be missed. Then, you will come out at the Arkansas River and another beautiful ride to Gunnison.