I awoke early and remembered the ridge I was camped on was east facing so got out the tent quickly and was treated to a spectacular sunrise. I had about 9 miles left of New Mexico but it did not relent, with a final kick to the groin of steep rocky descents and muddy climbs. Really does feel like this State is out to get you in every possible way. Into Colorado for a paved climb and then descent into Horcha which had a much needed cafe stop. Consumed all of the food and drinks. 

 

Back onto the gravel and Colorado instantly delivered with a beautiful road alongside a river with tree lined peaks on both sides. 

 

On the descent I’d noticed a few shifting issues as I couldn’t get into my smallest cog. Shifting continued to get worse until a ‘crack’ signalled the rear mech cable had snapped completely leaving me now stuck in the smallest in the smallest cog. Thankfully there wasn’t loads of climbing until the next settlement where I could reassess. I’d run into the Jeep crew again by this point and they thought they might have a replacement cable. I stupidly hadn’t bought one. Unfortunately no cables to be found. However, Mark managed to engineer a bodge fix to hold the rear mech in a climbing gear to hopefully get over the pass tomorrow. I was extremely grateful as I was feeling pretty bummed at the thought of having to hitch a ride to Del Norte and miss Indiana Pass, the highest point on the whole route. The guys were staying in a cabin in Platoro and offered me the fifth bed. They’ve been extremely generous and welcoming to the random British guy half their age and I’m very thankful for it. 

 

Afternoon spent in Platoro, which is a finishing and hunting outpost only inhabited in the summer. The guys climbed into bed about 7.30pm but I wasn’t complaining too much about the extra rest.