Monarch Crest Trail

Since arriving here in beautiful Colorado a few weeks ago, I’ve been slowly acclimating while amping up the riding.  That said, while I’ve been enjoying short-medium length mtb rides and some big climbs on the road bike, I’ve been hesitating to really test myself, to see where my strength and fitness stands.  Yesterday, I took the test and passed fairly handsomely.

On the bike at 7:15am, I made my way out of town on the black-top, followed by dirt-roads, rail-trail, and double-track.  Soon enough, the trail steepened and it was time to hike’a’bike before getting spat back out onto the asphalt.  Crossing the road, I was back on the dirt roads before hitting the two mile section of single-track that would bring me to the summit of Monarch Pass.  There, four hours into my ride, I stopped to break for food.  15 minutes later, the legs were again pushing the pedals.

Now on the Monarch Crest Trail [aka Colorado Trail, aka Continental Divide Trail], the immensity and intensity of this stunning landscape made itself abundantly clear.  Having ridden this magnificent trail several times over the past few years, I felt at home on several sections.  The snow, however, was something new to me here.  In a few spots, the snow covered the trail but I could either walk over or ride around it.  One particular section, however, presented quite the obstacle.

All of a sudden, the trail simply ended atop a wall of snow and ice about 200 yards long.  Standing above, the drop to the trail below was about ten feet, straight down.  I could see where other cyclists has slid down and figured I’d have to do the same.  But, what about my bike?  Only one option, carefully drop/toss her down.  She, Isabelle, handled it like a champ.  After sliding down on one foot and my butt, I brushed the snow from myself and my steed and continued on.  Damn I love mountain-biking.

After enjoying the massive vistas afforded from above the trees, I arrived at Marshall Pass where I joined the Starvation Creek Trail.  Starting with a slight climb, the trail descends just a bit before a sustained, steep, jeep-road climb.  It’s a good one, great for elevating the heart rate.

Once at the top of Starvation, there’s only one place to go; DOWN!!  It’s a descent like no other with miles of tight fast rolling single-track within the trees; rock scree sections that really test one’s nerve; creek crossings to get your feet wet, even a downed tree to climb over/under.  Smiles, smiles, smiles!

What’s funny, I thought, was that it wasn’t until I had reached the bottom of Starvation did I finally meet some fellow mountain-bikers.  There were hikers, runners, dirt-bikers, horse-back riders and even a 4×4 truck but only the tracks from other cyclists.

What’s not funny, however, was that it wasn’t until I had reached home that I discovered my seat-bag had unzipped itself somewhere along that exhilarating down-hill section.  Gone were two tubes, a tire lever, tire boots x3, my chain-breaker, multi-tool and Leatherman.  While I’m certainly not happy about having to replace all that stuff, I guess that’s the cost of doing business out here on the trail.

By the end of the day, my leisurely pace [with multiple breaks to take pretty pictures] afforded me about 96kms[59miles] over 7hrs 40mins.  I climbed 2159metres[7083feet] with a maximum elevation of 3606metres [11,832feet]  It was a grand ride, rewarding and reassuring.  I felt good the whole day and am not sore today.  Glad to have passed that test.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/332364812

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Feeling like I’m on top of the world

Isabelle’s landing spot