JULY 14:  Parlin, Colo. to Montrose, Colo., 80 miles via U.S. 50. Average speed today, 13.3 mph. Total trip mileage to date, 2,505. Average mileage per day since June 1, 56.9.

Began the day with Randy driving us and our bikes back to Parlin, so we wouldn’t miss a mile of the cross-country trip. Such is the luxury of having a support driver.

First 25 miles were easy, sliding down to Gunnison from Parlin, then sliding along the shore of Blue Mesa Reservoir. Climbed two quick passes on the way to Cimarron, where we had hoped to eat lunch. But the old railroad town’s lone restaurant and motel had been closed for three years and we ended up buying prefab sandwiches from the fridge in the market/rock shop.  Uninspiring.

But the place – God bless the U.S. government – had a post office. I mailed a package (T-shirt, maps) home.

Next we climbed five hot miles up Cerro Grade, the slid nearly eight miles into Montrose. At the edge of town this trip hit the 2,500-mile mark.

“Awesome!” enthused Ben. “How ‘bout Randy drives me to the top and I do it again.”

Didn’t happen. After arriving at the motel I went to the local bike shop and had a new tube with an intact valve installed.

Dinner at Garlic Mike’s, a too-fancy Italian restaurant.

Ben for the first time got a focus on when this long journey may end. If all goes well, we’d be back in time for my daughter’s Aug. 3 birthday. Then we’d ride on to Watsonville to dip our tires in the Pacific.

A long shot? Maybe, but we’ll give it a shot.