So we didn't post as much on this years trip as we did last year. When I say we, I mean Chris. He's the one who kept up with our digital log, mostly while I was driving or talking to myself.
This year was a little different, we rode a lot more, had better weather and spent a lot of time with Chris's old friend Matt and his wife Katie. With that being said, I'm not sure where we (Chris) left you. We spent night number 2 at Matt's Firehouse in Nederland, Co while he was on an overtime shift. From there we headed south/west. We took Cottonwood Pass (dirt road) into Crested Butte, Co. On our way there we realized that the Aspens we changing color and were completely breathtaking. First priority, bike ride. We did a quick ride on the upper loop and the upper upper loop (pretty sure that's right). It was a quick ride, but fun.We were still getting acclimated. We then restocked and found a campsite at the Trailhead for the 401 trail. I say Trailhead, but It's actually where the 401 ends. In the morning we took that trail by the reigns... it was a tough climb to the top of Schofield Pass (10,707') where the actual Trailhead is. We weren't at the top yet. We climbed even more to top out at 11,340'. Then we balmmed down. It was amazing, absolutely spectacular. Grassy flower covered fields right into groves of aspens with views of 12, 13, and 14 thousand foot mountains all around us. Here's a link to our stats
CLICK HERE . I figured that we drove 7,000 miles to ride this trail. It was my 'must do' last year but it was to wet to ride.
Moving on... That afternoon we walked around Crested Butte then took Kebler Pass out of town. Kebler pass is a dirt road but not completely out of the way. Plus along that road are some of the largest groves of aspens in the USA. It was beautiful!
Heading to the Desert! Fruita, Colorado! We set up camp on top of a Mesa off I-70 at a place called Rabbit Valley. It was at Exit 2 in CO, right at the UT line... it was dark but I managed to wake up for the amazing sunrise. That morning we headed back to Fruita. We picked up some supplies which included stopping by two of the local bike shops. Over the Edge Sports is actually ranked as one of the best bike shops in America... yeah that means souvenir time for us tourists. We finally made it to an area called 18 road. All the streets in Fruita and Grand Junction are in a grid system, regardless of our rural they are. We were probably 10 miles out of town, 5 of which were dirt. It was hot there. We did a quick ride on Chutes and ladders then met up with Matt and Katie at the camp site. They had other folks joins us for a ride and then cooked dinner. It was fun. The next day Matt and Katie had a trail for us... We didn't know what we were getting into. It was pretty epic. Over 31 miles of riding through the desert, up mesa's, down them, through the desert again, along the Colorado river and back to camp. It was a big loop, we all ran out of water, but it was amazing! We have (had) the chapped lips and sunburn to prove it!
CLICK HERE for the stats
Moab bound the next morning. We needed a rest day, so we drug our feet and him-hauled around until around 2:30 or 3. Then we rode the entire 'Slickrock' Trail, 12 mile rest day... good thinking. Actually it was amazing! As the sun was setting the rock was changing from tan or brown to red to purple then back again. So neat! Our camp was directly across the street from the trailhead at the Sand Flats camping area. Pretty neat location.
Good thing we had a rest day because Matt and Katie talked us into another Epic ride. I picked up a rental bike and we caught a shuttle into the LaSal mountains. We rode a trail called the Whole Enchilada. It was just that, google it, it's sick. We only had to climb 2,000 ft of elevation but we dropped 8600. It was completely crazy! We went from Alpine to above treeline, to Alpine, through the Aspens, into fields, through scrub then down to the Porcupine Rim which overlooks Moab on one side and Arches NP in the distance on the other. Some of my info may be off because this was the sickest most awesome day I have ever had on a bicycle.
CLICK HERE for the stats. I wasn't even on my own bike! I rented a 2013 yes 13 Trek Fuel EX 8. Pretty sweet bike. I might need to buy one, (oops, do I really need another bike?). That afternoon Matt and Katie headed home and we went to get beers with the French guy and the English dude we picked up on the trail and rode with for a few hours.
So, for real, we could use a rest. After laundry and supplies and a hair cut we went out of town to the Bar B the next day and logged over 1,000 ft of elevation and 10+ miles. Pretty technical trails but still fun. A Good Challenge, ya know.
We stayed at Sand Flats one more night then I took Chris to the Grand Junction Airport in the morning. Finally an actual rest day. I drove out to Steamboat Springs, CO. Why Steamboat? Well, I've never been here before. After stopping at the bike shop for a map and meeting a girl who dated a dude from Woodstown, NJ (my home town, weird) I headed up to Dry Lake Camp on Buffalo Pass. Rode some cool stuff today but I am acquiring some left knee pain. Not sure what tomorrow is going to bring. The sun is setting through the aspens here on Buffalo Pass. I barely have any cell service so the pics will have to wait till tomorrow. Maybe I'll hit up a coffee shop and be a tourist before heading to Breck!
Good night
Greg
