May 26, 2025
Platoro - Del Norte
The climb out of Platoro was a pleasant warm up for the day. In the next valley were beautiful rocks coloured by Iron ore and we rode along gazing up. It was up, up, up past Stunner Campground, past Lake De Nolda, with snow under the trees, and then a second breakfast stop.
Our first snow encounter was before Summitville, just a bit of melty ice. It didn't take long to find some longer, deeper flows covering the road. We could see the tracks of the Brit Squad, who we knew had crossed the pass the day before.
One patch was thigh deep on me and axle deep on Wally in the wheeltrack of the previous crossings. I had to take the two back bags off to drag him through the snow while "postholing" alongside. The altitude at that point was about 3400m and it felt as though my lungs weren't working - just fuelled by adrenaline and will power.
As I pedalled higher I met several groups of hikers and we chatted about their walk and my ride. Several walkers assured me it was all down hill now and no more snow. How reassuring people can be when they have no idea of your route!
It was downhill, until it wasn't, and the real work to Summitville and Indiana Pass started.
The road was clear of snow, and approaching 6300m, with dark clouds and snow flurries, I was again reduced to a very slow uphill push. A couple in an ATV stopped to chat and the woman said "I don't know how you are still breathing" I had to agree, it was a surprise to me too!
Soon after, the road tilted down and 30k later we were in del Norte, delighted to have crossed the highest pass on the route.
We were both pretty shattered by the high altitude work out so checked in to the stately Windsor Hotel, cleaned up, went for dinner and turned in by 7.30.
Today's ride: 75 km (47 miles)
Total: 1,258 km (781 miles)
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