I will be riding my bike to Wetmore. I went through there in 2022 on the TransAm. Today I will start at Lake Pueblo. In 2022 I started in Fowler, which is forty-five miles east. That year getting to Wetmore was a long day. This year I only have twenty-seven miles. I do remember this stretch from four years ago. It is desert, hot, and nothing along the way.
I am headed to a Warmshowers host. They will get home around 3 p.m. My 11 a.m. start should be perfect timing. I say goodbye to Nancy and Moe. Moe does not want me to go. Nancy has an easy feeling.
I ride out of the park and onto Route 96, the only road to Wetmore. I am in the southern Colorado desert. It is well beyond hot. Stifling is the word.
I remember the brutal mile-long climb just before Wetmore. I am not looking forward to the climb and will deal with it when I get there. I get there and I am out of water, like I was in 2022. My legs begin cramping. I have two miles left. I press on regardless.
In town I ride down the street of my hosts. I slow looking at house numbers. I hear a voice, “Are you Russ”? I stop and reply, “You must be Johnny”.
Kristin and Johnny are wonderful hosts. I settle in and they begin preparing dinner. While dinner is cooking I am offered Smoked Salmon that they caught while in Alaska last year. The Salmon on crackers led to the main course, BBQ sirloin, baked potato, and salad.
I am warned, bears come into town and their yard. The drought up north is driving the bears south looking for food.