Day 13, Mile 1036: Durango, Colorado

Today: 43 miles, 2877 feet climbing, nature: bald eagle, beaver dams and lodges, horses, biting horse flies, beautiful mountains, streams, glens.

Cumulative: 12 biking days, 893 miles, about 45000 feet climbing

Elevation: current 6500 feet, highest today 8150

Lovely short route today, albeit with a few hefty climbs, skirting the southwestern edge of the San Juan Mountains, one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world. Tonight we stay in the lovely historic Strater Hotel in Durango (1893) and tomorrow we continue through the San Juans to Pagosa Springs, another 60 miles. The original cross country trip in 2007 covered both these segments in one day.

Believe me, the current two-day version is far superior. Two of my fellow travelers, Larry and Kelli Oaks, took the 2007 trip, too (the only repeats so far on this trip...until I do it again next year with my brother Dan) and they said it was killer. Keep in mind, too, that the day after Pagosa Springs into Taos is 140 miles with 10000 feet of climbing. Larry and Kelli are in fantastic shape and completed every mile in 2007 and for sure will do so this year, too.

I did the whole route today no problem. I'm feeling fine and strong and feel like I'm even getting the hang of climbing, too. Interesting that I seem to be actually gaining weight at the same time my belly fat is disappearing. I guess that the muscle I've grown outweighs the fat I've lost. I never would have predicted that!