Cotopaxi Loop via a paradise of tranquility

While I have completed many grand routes and several iconic races here in Colorado over the years, there are those I’ve yet to tackle. This weekend I finally completed the Cotopaxi Loop; a seventy mile dirt-road loop that heads north-east out of Salida, then east and south to Cotopaxi, eventually heading north-west along the Arkansas River back home.

Ryan “The Squirrel” Knobbe joined me for the ride to our friend Roland’s house where beers, clean clothes, friends and bbq awaited. It was a ride worth the wait. Empty dirt roads shared not with cars and pick-up trucks but nervous deer and grazing cattle. Leaving town at about 7,000′ we hit 10,000′ twice, though it felt like we were climbing forever.(my Garmin device sometimes has difficulty with elevation, this ride was one of those occasions) Some of the climbs were loose, steep and painful; even the Squirrel was hurting on the final four mile climb to Roland’s off-grid house in the hills.

By mid-afternoon Sunday, I had the house to myself, sharing it only with four dogs, two cats and the wind-chimes in the trees. Reilly and Knobbe left early that morning; Roland and Claudia around lunch-time to enjoy their anniversary. I was left to pet-sit for 24hours.

And boy did I take advantage! I read, hiked, napped and ate; I drank beer, did yoga, played with the dogs, took a bath and maybe had another nap. I watched the sun rise and set, I basked under it’s mid-day warmth. Free of any internet connection, I really just let the world pass me by, revelling in Roland and Claudia’s tranquil paradise.

Monday by 2pm, I was on the road, beginning with an eight mile descent to Cotopaxi. Amazing! A great way to start any ride, even if I did get a puncture on my rear tire(quickly repaired with my Panaracer tubeless tire repair kit) a mile before the bottom. From town, I followed highway 50 for a few miles(almost no shoulder, not good for riding) then got onto road 45 where the wind howled from the north, making it feel at times like I was riding against a brick wall.

For the most part, the route follows the tracks that parallel the Arkansas River. At times it was hard-packed and smooth. Other times, it dwindled to a very rough trail, better suited for a mountain-bike or motorbike. But Irene and her 40c tires help-up just fine. A few more miles on the pavement before getting back on the dirt, finishing at the F St. bridge in Salida. Sounds like a pretty good way to spend a weekend. Although, now I’m thinking about the next ride I want to tackle….

https://www.strava.com/activities/748500128

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