Riding the Rainbow

Monday morning, Reilly and I rolled out for a leisurely four hour ride.  Starting in Salida we passed through Poncha Springs then south along route #285.  At Mears Junction we continued to climb as we turned onto the dirt roads that follow Silver Creek to the Silver Creek Trailhead.  There, we spotted a dinosaur, had a bite to eat and prepared for the next section of climbing.

Heading north-west along the Rainbow Trail, the single-track traverses the mountain-side, providing many short descents to creases in the rock where the thawing winter’s snow continues to flow.  At each of those crossings–many of which were quite wet–we would find ourselves gasping for breath to make it back up the short, yet very steep, other side.  Narrow, sandy, loose yet still enjoyable climbs, the Rainbow Trail did also reward us with stunning views and a pretty exciting downhill run.  Finishing with a section of single-track that parallels #285, we were soon back home, grinning from eat to ear.

Man, there really is something special about mountain-biking in the MOUNTAINS.  You should really try it some day.  I recommend the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.