July 24 - Iron Butt™ Ride

Lodging: Silverton Colorado

Wow! What an adventure. I can’t believe it but I managed to complete another Iron Butt™ (1000 miles in 24 hours) with an extra 500 in the next half day (in hopes of also earning a Bun Burner award). Yes! I had wanted to stay in the Southeast longer but thunder and lightening were forecasted for ten straight days. So I decided to hightail it to one of my favorite cities in Colorado - Silverton. It is nestled in the mountains and is the starting points for one of the most epic rides in the country - the Million Dollar Highway. Tons of hairpin turns, sheet drop offs with no guard rails and amazing views. I can’t wait. The ride here was challenging for several reasons - crosswinds, high temperature, fierce rain and road construction. But I realized last time it makes more sense to go West. So this time I had more light. One funny challenge - one of the gas stations I stopped at was overrun with locusts! They were huge and crawling everywhere. I went to fill up my tank and one was on the handle. I screamed and scared him off but his buddy on the nozzle never left (see photo). I’ve been here many times but am not sure if I’ve ever come from the south. The views coming north through New Mexico were amazing (another photo). Also, two pictures of me after I got here. Yeah!