Jeremiah Watt

It is a Sunday morning and I am getting all my things packed up in my Motel Room, and I pick up my bible from beside my bed. Of course I am feeling a little guilty since it is a Sunday, and I should go to church but there are no towns that come between me and this huge climb for the day. My thoughts are to get an early start so I can beat the winds and also the heat of the climb......so I make a bargain with the Lord. I tell him that if I am to be in Church on this fine Sunday............well, he's gonn'a have to drop a Church in my path.

Very sorry my friends, I am not sure why this picture did not download when I posted the page.

I talk to a fellow from Poland while dragging my junk out of the Hotel, and we visit about the state of America versus that of Europe today. He is quite offended at the heavy handed manner that the EU is placing itself into the "Isolationist " camp on tarriffs and embargoes on product. His own feelings are that it is strongly to the detriment for all members of EU, but that the political powers that be, have an iron hand in these affairs and the people really do not get to say much that has any effect. As to the children of America, he also had some thoughts. The first thing that we need to do, is get back to that time and place when a youngster could get a job. The way the laws read now, you do not dare hire a teenager, so consequently they stay unemployed till after High School all too often. The first jobs are not for making money, as many young people think today he says, these are jobs to teach more about respect and dealing with supervision and customers.

So, I take my leave after having the free coffee and a few Danishes...........I ate one danish for each 1000 feet of elevation the climb was going to be. Loveland Pass, is right at 12000 feet. Man I am really glad the mountain wasn't much taller I was really getting full.

The road out of Frisco, takes to the side of a very pretty lake, and before very long you are able to hit a quite bike path and follow it as it winds around the serene shores of the lake, all the while you are able to look off to the right and see the tree-less mountain tops looming and waiting for all who would dare take on the Summit. The trip around the lake is maybe 10 miles total and the trees that cover the shore are for the most part Pine. The area around Frisco, is having quite a time with a rot or blight that is going thru the trees. It would appear that they are being pro-active to this problem, since you can see huge areas that have been clear cut and then re-planted.

Pastor Mike this next paragraph is for you, I am pedaling along on my bike path and not really concerned with much at all except taking in the majesty of what the Lord has created. I come thru a quite large and dense patch of Pine trees and make a sharp left hand bend and come out of the shade of the trees into an open air Amphi-theater. Facing me is a broad hillside with a lot of people sitting on it, and all cyclists have slowed down due to the folks walking at this point. I take a look over at where the stage is , expecting to see a singer or something.........and what I seen was a wooden Cross.

RULE #1, never offer up a challenge to the Lord our God. Jeremiah was going to church. It was a good message, about the commission that all who accept Jesus are then urged to complete. To tell the world about the salvation thru belief in Christs death upon the Cross, for both the Jew and the Gentile alike. I managed to bring home a copy of something new to me, the Sha'ma, which is a Prayer for Israel.

I felt good, matter of fact I felt strong.........loaded up on spiritual courage. Time to get out onto Hwy 6, and kep stroking to the top of the Pass. I rode for a ways along the road, when I noticed another bike path running ajacent so I made for it so that I would not have to worry about traffic. That ran for another 5 miles maybe and the climb started when I hit Hwy 6 again. I had been told that the climb was a total of 12 miles, so I felt that I could manage that alright. The Colorado Cycling map tells me that the pass hits 6% average with some 7% sections in it.

I rode up the pass in 4 long pulls, yes I know Lance would have done it in one, but I would like to put my trailer on his bike and watch. If nothing else, at least he would have drug the trailer to the top for me. Yes-siree Bob, I done the climb without the aid of EPO/Estrogen Patches and or any other race enhancing drugs. All I need was a series of good ole' Fig Newtons and some water and I was slowly pulling to the top.

The last five miles or so are the tougher part of this climb, this is where the series of "American Switch Backs" begins and continue to the top. I remark here about American switch backs, becasue in truth I have never seen switch backs as tight as we have seen in Europe, they make ours pale by comparison. I stopped about 1/2 mile from the top, since the wind was blowing in my face so bad it made a whistling noise, and it was a very cold wind and I was needing something to keep me warmer. After I dug out another jersey, I made the last charge for the Summit, as a bike rider will tell you, you hit a rythm and really sort'a zone out as you stroke away. So I was cought a little off gurad when I heard a sound of clapping from my right side. I looked over to see an elderly lady and her husband standing there clapping for me as I grunted in un-tour like composure getting to the Summit.

Finally, I was at the top and standing next to the sign that says..........hey buddy, you made it. It reads, elevation 11,990 feet Loveland Pass. What a sight from up top, it reminds me a lot of being on top of Alpe de Huez in France a few years ago and looking down on all the valleys running out from that peak. Also the very strong wind blowing was remenisent, only this wasa gale and coming from Santa's place. I once again tore open my bag and found more clothes. I am looking off on the side I go down and I know for a fact that I am glad I didn't have to climb up from the east side. Poochy Maggie, it is steep looking to me. I made a few calls so folks would know that I had made it and was still alive.

Time to make my depart from the top and take the many turns to the bottom of the grade that awaits. It is some 13 miles off the backside of Loveland and I take my time with plenty of brake to keep me and the bike on the road, they do not guard rail very many of the corners here. The wind will really move my bike when it hits the trailer, it can move me several feet at times if it comes in gusts. About 2/3 of the way down I see the first cool creek crossing the road and I am ready to stop and eat some dinner. I find a great little warm place on the stream bank, and have a feast. I had bought a couple of bakery bagels the night before as well as some Ham and Provolone Cheese, along with one small gatorade and a few Newtons and a feast commenced. A little nap and some warm sunshine and I was feeling alright, I am on the right side of the tallest pass of my trip.......thank-you Lord for the strength.

Right at the base you hit I-70 and it is a quick downhill spin to Silver Plume which is somewhat of a Museum town with an old railroad setting. I hear that telltale whistle of a stem train, and see thesmoke belching from the stack as it climbs the grade into the Silver Plume Station. I hit a mandatory bike trail out of the town and am headed down a 6% grade to Georgetown.

The bike path takes a very sharp bend and goes under the narow guage rail tracks some 150 feet over head. What a sight with the sun shing and a quick running river below, in the rocky gorge over which the tracks make thier crossing. I can't help it, just have to get a few pics of this place that cannot been seen from the Inter-State which runs to my right.Ther are several folks doing the same thing, getting a pic of the high rail tressle............but wait, theres that distinct steam whistle once again. So I wait for some 20 minutes while the train makes its way back around and over the tresele in front of me.

Thats done, the sun is getting lower now and I am only about 5 miles oput of Georgetown.


I am sort'a waiting to celebrate in Georgetown and also feeling rather lonesome. SO I take a stroll in this very pretty little town and find a neat little store selling hard to find items. I buy a brand of root-beer I have never seen, something my gilr would have liked if she were here. I also found a small bar of Belgian Dark Chocolate, which is soemthing that my boy Pine loves. Then I took my place on a bench out on Main Street and savored the flavors and the thoughts of my kids...........yes, there were a few snuffles and tears.......but over all satisfaction was at the forefront.

Well, its getting later as I sit, so I better head for a camp spot now. I am headed for a small town called Lawson, and spot a great little place in amongst the Pines along the side of the road. Its some 200 yards off the road and rather secluded so thats the place for me. Get camp set up, take a 1 bottle bath and get to cooking becasue my dinner has wore off by now. I had a mix of noodles and chicken and rice and a fine cup of english Tea, what a treat it was.

I pitched my tent over a think layer of fallen Pine needles so its soft and deep, I sleep well this night. Tomorrow is Monday of the long weekend and I am not excited about riding in it, rather I am abit afraid to be exact.

Good Night and God Bless