Day 19, TAT Day 3 Ouray

I think I might have said this earlier on the blog, I have definitely thought it numerous times but one regret I have is that I can't share the experience we are having beyond a few words and some inadequate pictures. Today was almost overwhelming for me. Too much to compute. We rode from Lake City over the Cinnamon Pass. The lower reaches were along a glacial valley with a braided river running down it. We saw some Elk and a tepee. The tepee is visible in the pics although the elk are just black dots The climb became progressively more technical and required concentration but all very manageable.
We met 2 fellow TAT riders, Eric and Ifa(nickname - didn't ask) just below the summit and had a good chat.
From there to the ghost town of Animas Forks and then up and over several high mountain passes. More astonishing views. We then descended for ever down corkscrew pass. Burning thighs and dilated pupils the whole way. It lived up to its name and once below the tree line it was real fun.
This afternoon we diverted off the TAT to ride Imogene Pass from Ouray to Telluride. This was a new highlight of the trip. Seriously technical and astonishing views it climbs to over 13000 feet. High enough to give me significant altitude symptoms at the top. This was a different type of Rockies. Vertiginous drops of several 100's of metres. Huge rock steps and river crossings. As usual, otherwise occupied to take pics at the best bits.
Telluride is a lovely town, dripping in pretension though, especially as they have a film festival on. Coffee was not as good as the level of pretension would have predicted.
Despite all that, the highlight of the day was when we got a cheap motel room because one of us is mature enough to qualify for senior rates. Not happy but he took the fare anyway.
Having said that my senior riding partner almost broke me today, he is like one of those Duracell bunnies that just keep going.
In the last couple of days I have been taken so far beyond my comfort zone I don't know whether I will ever find it again. Tomorrow, sadly we ride out of the Rockies over the final passes.
Utah and its rock and canyons next
Thank you Colorado.