Dia de los Motos (Day 2) - 205 miles

A triple-threat kinda day: ride up Pikes Peake to the top, visit Royal Gorge, and cross the Monarch Pass; all on the way to our destination — Gunnison. Got an early start up Pikes Peak (8:30a). Ground level temps were around 72F, and once at the top (14,115 feet), temps dropped to 38F, with snow on the ground and forecast for flurries at 10am.

It was a trip of varying weather; sunny, cloudy, then through the clouds with near zero visibility.

We were rewarded at the top with the “World’s Famous Donut” (served warm) and I must admit, it WAS the best I’ve ever had. If you care to argue, you’ll just have to make the trek to the top of Pikes Peak to prove me a liar. Well worth the harrowing drive up the mountain.

The descent was much easier and then it was onwards to Royal Gorge.The pictures pretty much say it all. Royal Gorge is spanned by a suspension bridge, which visitors can cross, to get a birds-eye view of the enormity of this breath-taking formation.

There’s also a gondola to cary one across as well.

Steve doesn't do heights.

From Royal Gorge it was a jam along Highway 50 to the top of Monarch Pass and into Gunnison for the night.