Got away last week for 5 days of car camping so I could ride some high mountain passes and get in a little running and hiking. Found a sweet spot a couple miles down a hard pack gravel road, and then a short clip on a 4 wheel drive only to get to a spot by a creek. (My Honda civic does not have 4 wheel drive, but it gets me there.)
Camped outside Silverton, CO. Very nice.
First day I rode to Ouray, 25 miles or so (40K) one way. Top of red mountain pass is 11,018 feet (3400 m). At the top they are doing construction, and holding traffic to one lane only. The dude with the radio makes me stop, then while he smokes a cigarette tells me he rode up hauling a 75 lb trailer up over the top, so he is sure I can make it the rest of the way.
From the radio I hear "Jim, you got anyone waiting yet?"
Jim replies "Just one lone cyclist."
Radio: "Well I'm not stopping traffic for one lone cyclist on this end."
"Oh yes you are" Jim replies and gives me a big smile.
Radio - "OK, white chevy pickup is the last one through"
The construction crew all heard the exchange, and took a break to raz me as I continued on over the top.
I was hurting but it was great. My first opportunity to ride a high mountain pass since I got out west.
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