Days 5-6 Bike Trip Across Colorado: Poncha Pass & San Luis Valley Pictures (August 2003)

2003 Bike Trip Across Colorado

Day 5: Short Ride Up & Over Poncha Pass

(Salida, CO to Villa Grove, CO)

After riding 102 miles the day before, I decided to take it easy and only ride 30 miles. Although I did take on Poncha Pass, which was respectable! :) Poncha Springs is at the base of Poncha Pass.

7 miles to the summit. This south side of this pass will give you a good workout! ;-)

Looking back downhill while climbing up the pass. That may be Mt. Shavano or one of the huge mountains that's west of Salida.

I briefly rested under a bunch of aspens!

Yippee! It may not have been the largest pass, but hey, it divides the Arkansas River watershed from the Rio Grande watershed, so it's got to be respectable! ;)

The view of the Sangre de Cristo Range, looking south from Poncha Pass summit.

The view from the place I stayed at in Villa Grove. The next morning, I would be on the bike riding at 5:30 a.m.... (Scroll down!)

Day 6: Biking Through the San Luis Valley
(Villa Grove, CO to South Fork, CO)
Around 5:45 a.m., check out the sunrise coming over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains! AMAZING!
A colorful shot of flowers in front of an abandoned grocery store in Sagauche.
The San Luis Valley is mainly agricutlural.
Oh by the way, to all you Texans: The Rio Grande, the river you make such a big deal about, begins in the high country of our San Juan Mountains. Entering Rio Grande County!
Approaching Del Norte. See the big "D" on the mountain? :)
There it is! The Rio Grande as a bustling and energetic little boy!
After 75 miles, I arrived in South Fork...
...which was my final destination for the day. I enjoyed this Ham & Cheese sandwich later in the afternoon! ;)
Okay, so here's a map that shows you how far I had gone after Day 6 of riding. Wolf Creek Pass is coming up on Day 7! *People! The best pictures are definitely yet to come! STAY TUNED!*

2003 Bike Trip Across Colorado

Day 5: Short Ride Up & Over Poncha Pass

(Salida, CO to Villa Grove, CO)

Day 6: Biking Through the San Luis Valley

(Villa Grove, CO to South Fork, CO)

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