schnauzers.ws

Reaching Gashouse, the climb begins. Will I be able to handle the sustained grind?

So far, so good. The grind is slow, but I'll staying on the bike. Except for the temptation of gold against blue.

Eventually my SS climb lands at Baldy trail. Now, that wasn't so bad! It's great to be on the SS again. I've missed it.

Then it's time for some hamster spinning downhill!

And of course, some more gold on blue.

And some more pea stone singletrack back to 543.

GPS Stuff:

Saturday was work day. The condo was cold last night. I should have brought the small tent.

The tools of the trade…

The work team leaders get some last minute instruction.

After splitting into groups, I choose the group lead by Bill Manning who is the managing director of the Colorado Trail foundation.

Todd, a fellow mountain bike patroller is a man with a mission. Two handed MacCloud!

So today a team of about 120 were rerouting a little over a mile of trail that was not built sustainable. The old trail was reclaimed and you'd never know it was there. The new trail was built with the latest trail techniques to allow to runoff and multi-use traffic. Although the majority of the people working today were mountain bikers, this trail was originally conceived and built by hikers. It's just another example of users coming together for a greater cause. But where were the equestrians?

OK, now lets get this straight. The next pictures show what some people would believe to be sanitization. However, let's keep in mind that this particular section of the CT is smooth. The other trails in Buffalo Creek that connect with the CT offer plenty of technical challenges. Having one or two "obstacle" spaced far apart does not serve any purpose, especially on a multi-use trail. This was the subject of a few heated debates during our work.

As if I didn't inflict enough pain on my body swinging a Pulaski, I figured I'd ride the new section of trail when I got back to camp. So up the green mountain loop I go.

However, I ended up getting lost and missing the CT intersection. So I ended up going down Tramway, a loose rocky downhill and back up 543.

The poker run on Sunday was well received. It was not a fund raiser, just a thank you to those who helped. We had enough donated swag that everyone who participated won something. Riders had the choice of 10, 24, or 38 miles. A few of us did the 10 miler to get back in time for card selection. Video of that ride, including the new trail section will be posted on my Website.

Snow on the divide:

The rather large group gets ready and we split into two. You can guess where I was. 😉

Finally, a ride that starts with a downhill. What were they thinking?

But, soon the downhill ends and so begins the climb. Not too bad though. The whole place fluctuates a few hundred feet. A bit of exposure and a lot of blind corners can certainly catch one off guard.

This was a really enjoyable trail. Nothing technical, which you don't always need.

Again, it seems like more up than down but when a trail looks as good as this, who cares!

Some great views all around and a wonderful weather day. I dressed a little warm because it was 36F in the morning. Next time I'll just grin and bear the cold.

Eventually, I think we reach the top and check out the cone. Well, I think it's the cone. They all look like cones to me.

A fast downhill (with many blind corners – someone is going to get killed here) to the east parking lot.

Then it's some doubletrack downhill back to the cars in the east lot.

We finished with lunch a Kermits (a "biker" bar down the road).

GPS stuff:

Then to Elk Meadow Trail.

And finally my nemesis. Bergen Peak trail.

More climbing and finally pass the spot that claimed my bike the last time.

The climbing is going pretty well this morning. Middle ring for most of the way and my breathing seems to be calm in spite of the sinus infection I have been nursing. Heck, I'm even hitting 80% of the switchbacks.

I heard talk of snow in dem dar hills, and it looks like it's starting to appear.

Starting to slow down a bit as I near the "almost" top.

Then the trail gets a lot steeper.

And a lot more slippery!

A first for me! Snow in September. And I get to lay fresh tracks on the way down.

Of course this trail wouldn't let me off easy. It's hard to tell from this photo but I tried to thread myself through this but ended up going OTB before it. It was an embarrassing moment trying to unpretzel myself from in between the rocks.

The a fast downhill down Too Long trail which wasn't long enough, back to Elk Meadow and to the car.

Just plain old nice.

Pausing to take some pictures or so he says. Climb much? Do I get to call him a flatlander now?

Ah, now this is more like it as he takes off through the meadow. It's views and trails like this that drum the reasoning of why I love Colorado. I think he gets it now.

I told him that his trip to the Rockies wouldn't be complete without a spin through the Aspens. He thougght I was nuts. That was then and this is now.

After climbing about 2000' more than he's used too, he throws in the towel.

A little bit of the technical stuff aproaches and Jeff learns the line. He actually road more than I thought he would.

Then it's up some loose crap which I think he actually enjoyes.

Jeff checks out some history as we head into the home stretch.

I miss my riding buddies and it was great to get in a ride before he went off to Moab.