Showing posts with label Dillon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dillon. Show all posts

Sunday, July 31, 2016

Colorado: Bike To Frisco - July 28

Cliff, Lidia, Sawyer and I rode the bikes to Frisco....a town a little over 6 miles from Dillon. The bike seat on Sawyer's rental bike is large, which caused him to have seat issues all the way to Frisco. The bike path has uphills and downhills and he was struggling just a bit. We had to make several stops, not only because of his seat issues, but to rest. We kept trying to figure out if it was in fact the seat size or that he's just not used to riding long distances and his little bum hasn't toughened up enough, yet. After arriving, we had lunch at the Marina, which was right on the bike path. I had a grilled beet sandwich. That was a first for me and it was delicious. After lunch, it was time to head back to Dillon, but considering Sawyer's seat issues, we were debating on having Cliff ride back, pick up the car and come get us or let Sawyer walk most of the way. And then we remembered that there was a water taxi that ferried people from Frisco to Dillon and vice versa. So, Sawyer and I rode down to the docks and waited. Cliff and Lidia headed back on the bikes.

While we were waiting for the water taxi, the wind picked up and was blowing so hard that it was making a whistling noise. Sawyer was concerned that it might be a tornado and was asking me if I had ever seen one, been in one, what they sound like, etc. And then there were a few sprinkles. The water taxi arrived from across the lake and the water taxi captain warned us that a storm was brewing over the mountains and that we might get wet. Sawyer and I were prepared. We had rain jackets in our back packs. The captain loaded our bikes onto the pontoon boat and we set sail. As it often happens here, there can be sunshine one minute, a storm the next, and then back to sunshine in a matter of minutes. That's what happened to us. We were prepared for the wind and rain and a rocky ride, but just minutes after taking off in the boat, the rain went around us and the sun came back out. The captain of the water taxi asked Sawyer if he wanted to drive the boat. Sawyer was trying to back out at first, but I encouraged him to take the wheel. And he did. He drove us across the lake with the captain by his side. What a great experience for him.

Cliff and Lidia had beat us back across the lake on their bikes. They rode the whole way without stopping. Cliff said that Lidia got nauseated at the top of the last hill, but started feeling better the moment they stopped. They sat at an overlook and watched for Sawyer and me to arrive. Sawyer was beaming when we got off the boat. He was so proud that he got to drive the boat. And, Lidia was so proud of herself for riding her bike up and down hills and over 6 miles without stopping.

Because I was riding the bike, I didn't get a whole lot of pictures. What I have is posted below.

Sawyer's and my total bike miles: 6.42    Time on the bike: 1 hour
Cliff and Lidia's total bike miles 12.84     Time on the bike: 1:45 hours


Heading across the lake from Dillon to Frisco, via bikes.

 We made several rest stops along the way.

We stopped just over the dam at Dillon and waked down to the water's edge.

 Resting, but doing a little exploring, too.

This was the spot....the one that was perfect for throwing rocks into the lake.

More rock throwing and then we were on our way.

My beet sandwich. I was sure that Mountain Mama would want to know how this was made, so I asked.
You grind up beets and basil, mix with some oats and egg, then grill.
Serve with remoulade sauce and arugula on bread.
It has the texture of a veggie burger and was so delicious.

Sawyer standing with our bikes as we were waiting for the water taxi to arrive.

And finally, Sawyer tiptoeing to see over the front of the boat as he was taking us home.
The captain was awful nice to let Sawyer drive the boat.
It was a great experience and one he most likely will never forget. 

In the end, we decided, with Sawyer's help in describing the problem, that his seat issues were from his lack of time in the saddle and bought him a pair of padded bike shorts. He and his little bum are happy, now!

Having so much fun in the Rockies,
Laurie