a couple from the road

as can easily be determined by glancing at these images, there is still plenty of snow on the ground today, here in red-rock country. oh, sure- the thermometer cracked the 40 degree mark for one of the first times since November and the sun was finally shining again... it still wasn't all that warm out there.
nonetheless, in an act of solidarity with the cyclsts of Belgium, i ventured forth and rode outdoors in the weather for a good 2.5 hours. here's a couple of images from the last hour of the ride, the scenery out on the mud flats doesn't really compare with the grandeur of the Colorado National Monument, so i kept my hands in my gloves and stayed on the bike for all of that.



here's the view looking up the ramp from the west (Fruita) entrance. not exactly a crushing traffic volume today, thank goodness. the road is also visible at the rock cut, midway up the sandstone wall (image center).

a couple of kilometers farther up, near Balanced Rock, there was plenty of snowmelt flowing across the road. not really a problem here as the sun warms the tarmac sufficiently to keep things moving. where the road passes through shaded areas and exposed, north-facing aspects, water like this turns to a deadly sheet of ice.

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tuesday february 9, 2010

road conditions in the greater Fruita area are classified as mostly dry, with scattered areas of sand and gravel, as well as some frozen snowmelt on road surfaces at higher elevations. expect to find substantial deposits of winter debris in bike lanes and on road shoulders.

otherwise, enjoy the ride.