2015 Colorado Trail Race
Completely Self Supported 550mi bike race on the Colorado Trail
Damn hard, but Extremely Scenic & Rewarding
Starting a 6,000 feet altitude in Durango, CO the trail quickly climbs
above the 12,000 foot tree line onto the brutaly hard Indian Ridge trail.
The profile showed the route leveling out after this.
Turns out its still not really rideable because of the table top scree much like
the background in the picture above.
Eventually the trail become rideable despite the distracting scenery.
Marmots were the only spectators.
They have no fear of humans & love the very tops of passes.
The good winter snowpack made for miles & miles of more wildflowers than I've ever seen
After spend the 2ed night out at the Blair Street Hostel in Silverton CO I headed up this steep dusty road filled with Quads,Buggys & 4x4s
After the road it was a pleasure to get on the Continental Divide Trail & away from civilization.
The Colorado follows the Continental Divide trail for apx the next 200mi
Approaching the high point of the trail I heard lots of whooping & hollering.
I noticed these people on top of a hill about a mile off the trail.
Later on I passed about 25 packs laid out beside the trail.
My brain was so cooked it wasn't until two days later I figured out
they were "Bagging a 14er", the official Colorado State Pastime.
High in Colorado
Dropped down to Lake City, CO after countless passes.
The Raven Rest is a great little hostel & with a 'trail angle' shuttle
leave there at noon every day I almost quit racing to take the shuttle back up the
13mi Sludgemugon Pass (a really steep road).
Luck for me the shuttle was full. I went back to the hostel
and resumed racing first thing in the morning.
If you take a ride in a vehicle during the race it had better be an ambulance,
other wise you are out of the race.
Above the tree line or over looking a valley were the only spots w/ cell reception.
Through & shuttle bikers as well as the through hikers all seem to be heading South Bound.
This worked out well as meeting hikers head on make for a better interaction.
I seldom have to filter water. It was mostly cold & Sweet.
The bridges & trail infrastructure were amazing.
Leaving town after spending the night in Buena Vista, CO.
Rooms were over priced & it turns of the Laundromat had a Shower.
should have done laundry, showered & kept going.
Live & Learn.
Rooms were over priced & it turns of the Laundromat had a Shower.
should have done laundry, showered & kept going.
Live & Learn.
More great bridges & Sweet, cold water.
Found a hiker to do my almost selfie.
Aspen & Douglas Fir were the most common Tree species.
Two of my favorites.
Aspen & Douglas Fir were the most common Tree species.
Two of my favorites.
Leaving the tree line heading up to yet another pass, this one between Copper Mtn & Breckenridge.
Meet quite a few bikers along the way.
I'd become semi famous as the "Crazy Old Coot on a SingleSpeed"
I'd become semi famous as the "Crazy Old Coot on a SingleSpeed"
The last wilderness detour.
When the Colorado Trail passes into one of the six wildernesses
the bike route detours, usually on to dirt road to get around.
The bridges get even nicer as do the trails as you get closer to Denver.
End of the Trail!
Photo credit to Stefanie Jones
Shout out to Stef for coming out to meet me finishing
.
Shout out to Stef for coming out to meet me finishing
.
That's great!!!!! And hey, had I not been somewhat off the net most of summer, I would've known you were gonna be out there...would've happily kept ya some company for at least a few miles. Hanging my hat on stony pass during the summers. Bottom line......awesome awesome awesome! Hope you enjoyed (most) every second of it!!!! Respect!!!! -RRC
ReplyDeleteThanks Red, I saw from you instagram your were up there the week before I new from the Strave you were on some of the course, but it'd be a long shot to run into you.
ReplyDeleteI was late getting my laundry out of the hostel So Stoney Pass rd was full of vehicles. What a transition when you jump back onto the CT/CDT. I think the Rio Grand headwaters is my fav part of the trail.