Day 15: Brrr!

Today started with the sun shining brightly and warm temperatures. The planned route for the day would be tough and hilly but reasonable in terms of time and distance. Then, a big gray cloud covered the sun, and suddenly, the morning warmth vanished as a cold, wet air mass moved in. Dressed in shorts and a lightweight cycling jersey, hail began to pelt us from the front while the sun still shone behind us. We quickly sought shelter under a nearby bush, hoping this would be a passing hailstorm and that the sun would win the day. Unfortunately, that did not happen. 

When the hail briefly stopped, we put on our lightweight jackets and moved on. Within five minutes, a cold rain started pouring, and we were soaked. We stopped again at the closest shelter we could find and quickly donned our rain gear and gloves, but it was too little, too late. We were cold and wet, with well over three hours left to complete the ride.

Once we finally had our rain gear on, we continued to climb, which warmed us up a bit, but it was still cold. It was frustrating, as this was one of the most dramatic sections of the ride so far, and the cold began to overwhelm our senses instead of allowing us to enjoy the beauty around us. Nevertheless, we stopped to capture some of the most dramatic photos of the trip. Fortunately, after completing the first climb, we descended quickly, the temperature rose, and spots of sunlight returned, allowing our bodies to thaw—except for poor Molly’s fingers, which never fully warmed up that day.

We continued our ride along some of the most picturesque and stunning roads so far. As we got closer to our destination, the Mallin Colorado Lodge, the sun finally triumphed, and warmth returned as we arrived at one of the most beautiful lodges we have ever stayed in. We warmed up and enjoyed an exceptional four-course meal while overlooking Lake Carrera and the stunning mountains that surround it. It was the perfect place to be after one of the more demanding rides we’ve experienced so far—a great spot to take a day off for a bit of rest and relaxation.