Day 17 -- Grand Junction to Montrose -- 72 Miles

A very interesting day today! My new pal, Sue, gave us riders the option of taking the "scenic route" out of Grand Junction. Only 8 us took Sue up on her offer, and I am thrilled with my decision. It was so nice to get a feel for Grand Junction. It's such a charming town. There are times when we stay on the outskirts of various towns, so it's easy to miss out on the chance to check out what a place truly has to offer.

My favorite part of the scenic tour of of Grand Junction was finally finding a bike that fits me. It was phenomenal. Now, I know where to look for a bike next time I pedal cross country (just kidding, Mary -- this is a once in a lifetime thing... I think). In all seriousness, the trip through Grand Junction's center of town was a great treat, and it really set the tone for a fun day.

After the "scenic group" said goodbye to Sue (for now, as she will be joining us in St. Joseph, MO and finishing the tour with us), we made our way to Route 50, which is where most of our ride took place. Once again, we battled the wind, especially in the first leg -- a leg that also had some solid climbs to the first SAG. After refueling, we rejoined Route 50, went through the town of Delta, and eventually found ourselves in Montrose.

I stopped for a sandwich and an ice-cold, chocolate milkshake (guilt-free I might add) about a mile before I hit the hotel, and now I am mentally preparing for upcoming rides through the Rocky Mountains.