schnauzers.ws

Since this is an out and back, it's only fitting that to enjoy the downhill, you have to earn it. Judging from what lies ahead, there's a lot of earning.

In no time we are on the sweet singletrack of the Colorado trail. My fourth section of this mighty trail since arriving in Colorado.

Trying to keep up with everyone is tough since I am still not acclimated to the altitude. But, salvation comes five minutes into the ride with the first flat tire. Ah, a chance to catch up.

Back on the bikes and back on the climb.

Heading up the Tennesee Pass yields more views and more singletrack.

Eventually, the trail turns onto some old mining road doubletrack. We follow the tailings until it leads us to a parking lot by Ski Cooper. Now we go back? Nope.

Back onto the singltrack and it gets more fun as rocks start adding some technical features to the trail.

We reach the two bridges over "my" creek and have some lunch.

Did I mention the trail full of rocks?

Are we done yet? Nope. More climbing.

Finally, we reach the turn around point. And just in time. Having not eaten breakfast, my blood sugar is low and I am very dizzy. But not dizzy enough for the downhill. Yes, it's all worth it. Eventually we come out to the train tracks and I take the shortcut option which involves a little blacktop to the singletrack again. This avoids a couple of climbs along the way. Yes, it's cheating but I'm seeing double at this point and need to get a Coca-Cola IV as soon as possible.

We come out of the trail near some old bunkers, that I missed heading in.

Another look at the views and we head to dinner in Leadville at the Tennesee Pass Inn (great food, by the way) and meet up with the lost group.

I was supposed to ride at Peaceful Valley on Sunday, but was way too pooped. So I ate like a pig at Buffalo Bill Days fair in Golden, my future permanent residence in Colorado.

GPS stuff:

3438' of climbing 3080' of decent (huh? How'd that happen?) 22 Miles Top speed of 45 mph. (figure that one out)