Day 2: From Purgatory Ski Area to Silverton

Today we ride 34.6 kilometers and climb 3006' (916m).

This is a short day, both in riding hours and in kilometers, but not an easy one. When climbing the two mountain passes of the day -- Coal Bank and Molas passes -- we take breaks every mile. We reach Coal Bank pass summit (elev. 10640') around noon. Thunderstorms are roaring in distance, but it is only sprinkling at the pass.

After descending a bit, we climb again up to the Molas pass (elev. 10910') and reach the summit at 2pm. It greets us with some hail. While waiting for the end of the hail storm (and the finish of the maintenance job at the restroom), Tomi decides to do some Tai Chi.

Then we just let it roll down to Silverton (elev. 9318') in light rain. We reach the town around 4pm and find a place to stay at Silverton Hostel, which offers a double room for $25 a night. Campsite at the nearby RV park would have cost $17.

We have dinner at Restaurante y Cantina de Romero's, which claims to be the best Mexican restaurant in Colorado, San Juan, Silverton, whatever, but it is quite mediocre. The place has quite an interesting collection of old tools on the wall, though. Contrary to our habits, we have a Margarita for dessert, just one and we split it.

We continue the expedition to Explorer's club, Trails End Public House, Handlebars Restaurant and Saloon and Miners Tavern (where the locals hang out) and then back to the hostel at 10pm.