August 24, 2022
Tarryall Creek to Selkirk Campground
via Como
As soon as I began cycling this morning, the noise around my right pedal, is obvious again. I heard it late yesterday afternoon. I assumed it's something to do with the cleats in my shoe but I couldn't figure out exactly the issue.
As I now check the actual pedal, it moves up and down more than it should. Perhaps there is a bearing issue. With no bike shops until Breckenridge, I will just have keep an eye on it.
As I'm climbing to another continental divide, I know I will be gradually climbing for most of the day, with no major towns along the way.
As I set off, I'm passing some nice rock features and many ranches, some of which offer horse rides. Every so often, I'm seeing places where I can camp and some hiking trails. As for the cycling, since I have mostly been following the Tarryall Creek, only occasionally have I had to do short steep climbs. Otherwise I'm making good time, with little traffic to worry about.
After seeing a man made waterfall at the end of Tarryall Reservoir, the landscape is more open with a lot less trees. While randomly one large cloud drops a few spots of rain but mostly it has been a sunny day.
As I turn off the paved road I have been following all day onto a dirt road. The landscape is even more open as the continental divide range appears in the distance in front of me. I could have stayed on the bitumen but that would have required doing 4 more miles on the highway.
The dirt is an okay cycle and is much more relaxing than the short section I have to spend on the highway before exiting to the small town of Como.
Como was a railroad junction town and still has the remains of a roundhouse and depot, both of which have been restored. However sadly neither are open today, while the only business left in town is the post office. So today I haven't visit any shops, which I had planned ahead for by carrying supplies since Cripple Creek.
I still have time to climb over Boreas Pass this afternoon. However with no luck with finding a Warmshower host in Breckenridge, perhaps I should just camp at Selkirk Campground on this side and do the pass tomorrow. Since I'm back on the Great Divide cycle route, maybe I will meet cyclists at the campground.
The dirt road is rough as I leave town but I'm still making good time as the sun stays out. As I climb around a curve, I spot a hiking trail and in the distance I can see rails. So I will investigate it.
The rails don't last long but the trail continues around a hillside. The train line must have gone this way. A few pine trees are half blocking the path but still I walk my bicycle through. However as I re-approach the road, suddenly it's steep and rocky, so I just lift my bicycle up to the road.
It's now 5pm, so I could still get over Boreas Pass but I will save it for tomorrow.
It's steeper down to Selkirk Campground than I hoped, especially as I will have to climb back up tomorrow.
It's quite as I arrive to a pine forested area, with many picnic tables. As I walk around, I realise I'm alone and annoyingly there is no water here. After walking away from the campground, eventually I find a creek to get more water.
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