Stage 26 - Guffey CO, 83mi (134km)
The way out of Pueblo ran through leafy
suburbs and the city park. I then turned on to Route 45 and US 50. The wind was
a vigorous northerly that developed to blow from NNE, which meant a slight tale
wind.
It was 43mi (69km) to Cañon City before the climbing started. The
route started on US 50 and began to climb straight away. It took me an hour to reach the Royal Gorge commercial area. Here the Trail turned off
to the right on Route 9 heading north-west. The ride to Guffey, my final
destination, was only 32mi (51km), I found it hard! My elevation gain today was
6'453 feet (1’967m) – I am knackered…
There were occasional flat and even
downhill sections but mostly it was uphill, sometimes steeply, sometimes more
gradually. I used lower gears than I would have done on comparable slopes
earlier in the ride.
At Guffey, 1.5mi off the route, I am 8’658feet (2’639m)
above sea level. I am feeling the altitude and hope the overnight stop I am
making here will help my body adapt to it. Guffey is the most unusual
staging point on the TransAm Trail. It is quirky, not to say eccentric. I am
staying in the most luxurious of the Rustic Cabins, the only one with
electricity.
Like the others it has no running water. There is a shower room a
few steps away and an 'outhouse' (dunny). However, due to the cold weather in
the last days the shower isn’t working yet and I washed myself way back like in
the 18th Century. The place has been run by a character called Bill
since the Bikecentennial in 1976.
He is a very friendly guy and he, together
with his pals, were waiting for me, sitting on his golf cart, upon my arrival. He
offered me two beers and we began to chat with each other as we would have
known each other for a long time. I am very glad to be here – it was worth each
mile of climbing today.
 |
| My cabin |
 |
| GMC 1937 |
The Garage and the nearby City Hall contain an
extraordinary collection of curiosities. Outside, there is an eclectic
collection of hand-built shacks in the midst of broken-down cars,
abandoned bath tubs, old bedsteads, wheelbarrows, and bizarre sculptures, which
often make use of skeletons. Although Guffey appears to have a tiny population,
it supports a school, library, post office, and three places that serve meals.
I had ldinner at Freshwather Saloon.
There were occasional flat and even
downhill sections but mostly it was uphill, sometimes steeply, sometimes more
gradually. I used lower gears than I would have done on comparable slopes
earlier in the ride. 
Like the others it has no running water. There is a shower room a
few steps away and an 'outhouse' (dunny). However, due to the cold weather in
the last days the shower isn’t working yet and I washed myself way back like in
the 18th Century. The place has been run by a character called Bill
since the Bikecentennial in 1976. 
He is a very friendly guy and he, together
with his pals, were waiting for me, sitting on his golf cart, upon my arrival. He
offered me two beers and we began to chat with each other as we would have
known each other for a long time. I am very glad to be here – it was worth each
mile of climbing today.
The Garage and the nearby City Hall contain an
extraordinary collection of curiosities. Outside, there is an eclectic
collection of hand-built shacks in the midst of broken-down cars,
abandoned bath tubs, old bedsteads, wheelbarrows, and bizarre sculptures, which
often make use of skeletons. Although Guffey appears to have a tiny population,
it supports a school, library, post office, and three places that serve meals. 
Sieht cool aus!
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