Monarch Crest, Paradise and Beyond

A year and a half ago my good friend Reilly said to me, “if you get yourself to Colorado at the end of September, I’ll show you the best mountain-biking in the US.”  Taking him up on the offer six months later, Reilly delivered some of the most challenging trails and stunning views imaginable, plus several you really have to see to believe.  It was a week I’ll never forget.

Last winter, my buddy Bevin was on at me.  He wanted us to go on a mountain-bike pilgrimage.  He was willing to join me in Texas or perhaps we could do the BC Bike Race[which he’s signed on for 2013].  Knowing that Reilly would be living in Salida this year, I suggested to Bevin we visit paradise; let’s ride under the golden aspens, let’s go to Colorado!  It took no convincing whatever; Bevin was into it.

While every ride last year was memorable for its own reasons, there are two that stand out in particular.  One was the punishing Canyon Creek ride. The second was the iconic Monarch Crest trail.  Wednesday, October 3rd, the last day of this 2012 Colorado mountain-bike road trip, we stopped for one last ride.  The Monarch Crest Trail; part of the Continental Divide Trail; an IMBA Epic trail, would be our destination.  There could be none finer.

Driving to the Monach Pass ,we loaded our gear for one final hurrah.  The Crest would not disappoint.  Starting on a dirt-road with just a slight grade, a mile later the climbing began.  We’d climb about 650 feet attaining a maximum of elevation 11,633 feet.  At times, we rode above the tree-line, giving us a glimpse of what it’s like to be on the top of the earth.  Those narrow bench-cut trails demand you pay attention; the fall is far if you don’t.  Back in the trees, we came across another group of riders.  Chatting for a few minutes we were back on the bike, though, not before a few hand-fulls of mountain spring-water that flows freely from a pipe jutting out at trail’s side.  Bliss.

After a few more climbs and a couple of down-hill sections, we stopped to enjoy the view before the descending began in earnest.  As we started, Reilly warned us that we’d soon encounter two sections of rock scree that would be the most difficult sections of trail we’d yet ridden.  In fact, he acknowledged that he made it through without going over the bars just 50% of the time.  Bevin and I took in a breath, locked eyes, nodded in solidarity and were off.

Reilly wasn’t foolin.  Those trails demanded such intense concentration to navigate, an unwavering commitment to the line chosen combined with the lightening-quick ability to dodge the worst of those jagged rocks.  Clearing them successfully, I felt like a champ, despite my heart pounding.  Continuing on, the trail rolls down hill, though the terrain would vary greatly.  At times hard, dry sandy trails; at others, slightly moist dark brown soil scattered with pine needles kept us shreddin’ the corners low and fast.  There were many sections that required superior technical skill, others that demanded a willingness to ride as fast as possible, really opening it up, popping over little rollers and drifting sandy corners.

Eventually we were spat out of the trails and onto a very fast, hard-packed dirt road that would send us flying down the rest of the mountain, carving fat lines around the corners and popping little tail-kicks over a few of the humps.  Having ridden this before, I knew what to expect. With the advantage of “29’er” wheels, Reilly and I were able to bomb this section, leaving Bevin and his 26″ wheels behind.  We rolled, glided, drifted and flew down that road.  It was sublime.

Back on the asphalt for a couple of miles, we three eventually cut across the road to ride a very fun, twisty and tight local section of single-track that parallels the road from above.  Several miles later, we get back on the road for an easy cruise back to Salida.

Finally stopping in front of the rental car for the shuttle trip back to Reilly’s van, we congratulated and thanked each-other for such a great day of riding, a perfect finish to an unforgettable mountain-bike road trip.

This trip; it was magical, it was paradise.  It’s why we all must take time to really live life rather than simply working towards the day we hope to enjoy living.  For that day may never come but today is already here. Live this day to the fullest.  Take advantage of the opportunities all around you but don’t settle for just what is near at hand.

Chase a goal, live a dream; love yourself and the life you have.  If you do, you just might attain true happiness.

I hope to see you there…we’ll go for a ride….in paradise.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/229866898

Monarch Pass, one year later!

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Reilly and Bevin riding the barren landscape above the tree-line.

Marshall Pass; from here, just another 90mins downhill to Salida.