Grand Junction, CO - Day 9
Breakfast at the Black Bear Diner
Normally, breakfasts are about function: consuming a healthy balance of calories, water, and caffeine for comfortable riding. However, when your waitress asks what you ride, breakfast becomes memorable. It turned out the waitress here also rides with her husband – KTMs, Ducati Multistrata, and an Africa Twin. If you ever find yourself at the diner, say hello to Chrissy for me. 🍳☕
Definitely Not in Kansas Anymore…
I learned the hard way that Colorado has crazy temperature changes and climates. Intuitively, it makes sense, but seeing it on two wheels is another thing. 🏍️🌦️
Colorado showed the incredible effect of elevation on temperatures. Starting the day in Colorado Springs at 60 degrees (6,700 feet altitude) and sporting a layer of heated gear, I wondered if I was overdressed for the day. Within three hours, however, I saw temperatures drop below freezing when I reached my pinnacle altitude of 10,700 feet. ❄️
When I left for this trip in NJ, I purposefully packed equipment to handle days like today, and I'm grateful I did. Along the way, the photos and scenery were incredible. Each twist and turn greeted me with vistas of far-off mountains, streams, lakes, and snowpack. This part of Colorado makes it one of the best places in the country for riding. 🌄🏞️
However, in Montrose, CO, I faced an important decision:
Head southwestward through Breckenridge along US 550, where forecasts were calling for 12 inches of snow (in mid-May).
Head northwestward along US 50 toward Grand Junction where the chances of snow were less, but the roads were less scenic.
After talking to several travelers during a gas stop, it sounded like option 2 was safer and faster. Within 35 miles of Grand Junction, however, light rain gave way to sleet! With my face shield and glasses fogging up, I opened my visor to let air in so I could see. The effect: a barrage of frozen pellets stinging my face while I kept focus on the air temperature and road conditions. 🌨️
As a rider, anything frozen is downright dangerous. Because turning back was not an option, I frequently skimmed the bottoms of my boots to gauge the traction of the tarmac and monitored the air temperature on my thermostat. With temperatures hovering just above freezing and the roads noticeably feeling slick, I retreated to the first reasonable hotel I could find in Grand Junction. 🏨
Later that evening, the precipitation stopped and the next day looked to be warmer. At this point, I'm just hoping the rest of the journey will be precipitation-free. 🌤️
