schnauzers.ws

So here I am one year later. Having finished my setup for work early, I
had Friday to play. I scheduled the shuttle to drop me off at Vail pass
and start making the trek. Of course my anxioty checked in about doing
it alone, but I was determined. Last year I had climbed Two Elk Pass to
Two Elk Trail. Mentioning this in town got some very odd remarks like
"you must be a masochist". I don’t know, it didn’t seem all that bad.
It’s a beautiful day and weather will not be a factor. I am dropped off
to this view:

As I am getting on the bike, I notice a group of bikers starting up
Shrine Pass road. So now the decision is to ride alone or maybe tag
behind them. They are going up so why not. I quickly ride over and
introduce myself. I ask where they are riding to and they say up Shrine
Pass, then up Bowmans Shortcut, over Vail Mountain and back down into
the village. The don’t look to happy about the route as the down part
will be very little single track. Ah, perfect opportunity as all
shyness goes away and I suggest Two Elk Trail. They did not know about
it and thought the idea of 6" wide singletrack into Minturn was just
the ticket. So, instead of tagging behind I am now part of the group
which hails from Boulder, I believe. I am feeling great now as the
anxioty of riding alone is gone.
It’s a mixed group of riding ability with some former racers and others
out for the stroll. They also brought two trail dogs which means we’ll
have to stop for them to rest. Great for me as I fit right in the
middle. We begin the climb up Shrine pass.

Soon we come upon Bowman’s Shortcut. I take one look and try to justify
why this trail is easier than Two Elk Pass. It is steep and technical
in spots, but none-the-less we start some more climbing to reach the
top of the world.

About half way up we stop to fix a mechanical and give the dogs a much
needed rest. It’s also a perfect opportunity to take in some of the
views.

Don’t let anyone tell you that climbing from 8000′ to 12,000′ is fun!
Some parts are slow going as the steepness just proves to be too much.
But we trudge one.

As we near the top, things begin to level off and provide some sweet
singletrack through the trees and a very interesting combination
logover/root thingy.

The Lupines and other wildflowers are magnificent as I finally get to
move out of granny gear. I pick up some speed until we come to the
proverbial fork in the road and take a rest.

Ahh! Finally we hit Two Elk Trail and it’s all downhill from here..
This is truly a beautiful piece of Singletrack that stretches for
miles. It’s just about 6" wide and rutted enough that if you hit the
sides, you are going OTB. The group is grinning from ear to ear as we
proclaim this an excellent choice. The views, the trail, the weather.
It’s perfect!

Then I see it. The demise of my ride last year. The point where I was
forced to make a hasty retreat. I tell the group this is as far as I
had gone and that I have no idea what lies ahead. We stop at the bridge
to the dogs can take a dip in the stream.

Now the fun begins. Who knew the second half of Two Elk would become a
technical marvel of undulating singletrack? Rocks, ledges, tight (and I
mean TIGHT) singletrack just neandering on forever. SO MUCH FUN!!!!!!

And let’s not forget the scenery.

The trail is magnificent on this final three mile ride into Minturn.
It’s skirts the creek with rocky ledges and almost impossible V
openings between the rocks. I dab a little here and there, but for the
most part it is just one of the greatest trails I have ridden.
We drop into Minturn with smiles beaming from ear to ear. Even the dogs
are in utopia. Three of us then take the paved HOT bicycle path four
miles back to my hotel where I get my rental car and take them back to
the pass to pick up their cars. It was the least I could do for not
having to ride alone. I want givve a big thanks to then for letting me
barge in on their ride. Your hospitality was incredible, even to a
total stranger.