CO - Day 8
Epic 200-Mile Ride from Lamar, CO to Colorado Springs 🏍️🏞️
One of my favorite days so far on this trip was the short yet memorable 200-mile ride from Lamar, CO to Colorado Springs. With more time for sightseeing and meandering, I used my RoadTrippers app to plan a day filled with fun stops. 🌟📱
Finding Quiet Time - John Martin Reservoir 🌊
About 50 miles from the day’s origin, I discovered John Martin Reservoir. With several access points, I used Apple Maps to find a quiet place to enjoy the water. After routing myself along 2 miles of a dirt road that dead-ended at someone’s house, I stepped off my steed and savored the moment. 📍🛤️ Reflecting on life, this trip, and loved ones long gone, I captured a few pictures of the surrounding area. Moments like this are why I’m taking this journey. 🧘♂️📸
Lunch in Pueblo, CO 🍽️☀️
On the advice of a cousin, I stopped in Pueblo, CO for lunch. With a riverwalk running along the city center, mild temperatures, lots of sun, and cool architecture, this quaint town was an ideal spot to refuel and chat with locals. 🌞🏞️ After lunch, I walked along the river, snapped some pictures, and continued the ride. 📸🚶♂️
Hiking in Red Rocks Park 🥾🌄
With only 100 miles left to ride and plenty of time, RoadTrippers recommended a visit to Red Rocks Park in Colorado Springs. With varying levels of difficulty, the hiking trails provide fun for any adventurer. I chose a simple path because I was still wearing my motorcycle gear. At the crest of a hill, I enjoyed panoramic views of Colorado Springs, snow-capped mountains, and high-desert flora peppering the red landscape. 🏔️🌿
Ancient Cliff Dwellings 🏛️⛰️
Next, RoadTrippers suggested an indoor/outdoor museum of the Manitou cliff dwellings. Chiseled out of the mountainside, the indigenous Anasazi people truly made the landscape their home. For approximately 1,000 years, the Manitou people inhabited these cliffs until they became a museum in 1907. For an entrance fee of $10, this museum provided a great opportunity to explore, learn, and admire the world around us. 🌍💡
Garden of the Gods 🌟🌳
Garden of the Gods is a sanctuary of natural rock formations and hiking trails. The park has several perfectly manicured roads with hairpin turns and expansive views of the neighboring mountains. Although I could have easily spent an entire day here, it was getting late, and it was time to meet family for the night. So, I opted for a quick ride through the Garden and snapped a dozen pictures. Knowing I will be back in Colorado Springs for a longer period, I will leave further discovery of this wonderland for another day. 🏞️📷
Elevation Changes and Hydration 🚴♂️💧
Since leaving Wichita (elevation 1,700 feet), I ascended more than 5,000 feet to Colorado Springs (elevation 6,700 feet) in about 500 miles. What amazed me is how gradual and unnoticeable the ascent was. This brings me to my first lesson learned - hydration. Early in the trip, someone cautioned me about staying hydrated while riding across the plains and in higher elevations. I took this seriously, purchased a Camelbak in Indiana, and used it consistently since Oklahoma. This water replenishment helped me stay alert and not feel any effects of the elevation changes. 💧🏔️
