Usual morning routine of coffee and porridge and I was on the road for just after 8am. Beautiful morning and fairly easy riding descending the pass I’d climbed the night before. The majority of the day was net downhill, and with a distance of less than 50 miles, it turned out to be probably the easiest day so far. 

 

I took my time and enjoyed the views of the Rocky Mountains in the distance. Saw two Elk run across the road and then dart up a hill side. The things I’d seen that I previously thought were elk may have been antelope as these were far bigger. The final stretch was on the pavement and made it to the restaurant/gas station/campsite by noon. Had some food and then relaxed with a shower and the opportunity to do some proper laundry for the first time since Lordsburg. 

 

Spent the afternoon sitting in the river soothing my legs and chatting to Zach and Kara. Over the course of the afternoon a steady stream of other cyclists arrived - some new and some familiar faces. 

 

This has felt like a rest day so certainly I don't need a day off in Salida. I’m contemplating whether to stay in town at all as accommodation options are all pretty expensive. So I may just have a look around and then press on but will assess tomorrow. These shorter days feel like little progress is being made but I have no need to rush.