Navajo Dam NM to Durango CO
7-3-14
Day 43
We lost a day and had to change our plans diverting to Durango CO. This was due to lack of a place to stay over the upcoming holiday weekend
.
The team rode through Durango in 2008 on Wild West Tour I.
Returning to a city we already traveled through seemed a little boring. When
visited Durango the first time we never saw much of the town as usual. The crew
blew in and blasted out the next morning on our first tour.
Another thing Durango was north of our route and does not
move us west as we needed to go. This time we entered town from the south and because of the
short mileage day, the team had a couple
of hours to explore. Something that does
not happen very often.
Durango is a bicycle friendly town with bike trails and bike
lanes everywhere. It also is where professional
mountain and road cyclist have lived and trained.
As we rolled into town along the Animas River where we could
see people having fun in in the water on rafts, kayaks and other water toys.
As we watched the action people seeing our loaded bikes came
up and asked of our journey. Everyone was very friendly and seemed like they
were having a great time. Durango is a
happy place. The welcome we received was almost overwhelming.
As we rode by people on the rode some would give us the thumbs
up other extended their hand for a “High 5”. They all made us feel like celebrities.
Our first stop was for something to drink at a place called Nini’s.
It is a great little Mexican restaurant on Main Street. The owner Andy and his Abby originally from
New Hampshire came to Durango on vacation. Of course they loved the place, how
could you not? Within 24 hours of returning home they decided to quit their
jobs and move to Durango!
Tim was looking the décor and noticed cycling jerseys hanging
from the ceiling. The owner was also a
cyclist. He came over to talk to us then brought a gigantic and delicious
platter of his chips and salsa. We were told this is “on the house”. A while
later he returned with a gift of cycling socks with his restaurant logo as a
gift. He asked if we could help make these socks famous by taking phots of us wearing
them on the rest of our journey. He said
there is a place on his wall for those photos.
Andy we will make them famous we promise!!!
Over and over we were greeted my friendly happy people asking
about our travels. One couple gave us
their email address and offered us a place to stay if we needed it or ever
return. How cool is that.
Yesterday Ken told his wife we were a little disappointed we
would have to ride through a town we already had passed before. She told us “It
was meant to be” and enjoy it. After 30 minutes in Durango we realized she was
100% right. We had made the right decision diverting to Durango.
Thursday we will also travel on 60 miles of road we did in
2008 and again return to a place we have visited before……. Was it “meant to be”…….
Well we will see.
58 Short but somewhat hilly miles
Weather 95 degrees Sun
5010 Feet of Climbing
How cool, enjoy.
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