Long miles, long climbs, and long on adventure

Coming off the last hiking tour I was exhausted. So with some time off I decided to head of on a cycling tour of my own. It would give me a chance to "rest up" and get back on the bike after two weeks off. I left from Denver and began climbing into the Rocky Mountains. I continued climbing until the end of the day, having done 70 miles. The next day I visited the charming town of Fairplay (also known as South Park). Then it was up and over my third mountain of the day and into Buena Vista, where I visited my favorite gear shop.

The next day the new terrain began as I began my list. Cottonwood Pass was brutal and beautiful at over 12,000 feet. After enjoying the view from the top I began the long descent on hardpacked dirt. Met some bicycle tourists from Crested Butte coming up the climb. Got some great info. Later that afternoon I raced the weather into Gunnison, where I styled my bike with blue bar tap to help with the road shocks. Later that evening I began climbing into the San Juans Mountains of southern Colorado, 80 miles done. It rained that night and I didn't sleep will. Awaking the next morning I was tired and sore. It began to rain, I began to ride, I began to suffer. My mind worked extremely hard to convince my tired body that I could climb the long rolling hills into Lake City, destination #2. This is where Peter and Barbra Jenkins spent a wonderful winter at the Vicker's Ranch during they're walk across America (Walk Across America is my favorite book). I got a bowl of chili at the diner and the sun came out. Then it was over Slumgullion Pass and I suffered some more. Then after a short climb to another pass I enjoyed the run in towards Creede.

The night was cold and there was a thick layer of frost on my tarp. Five miles of cycling brought me into Creede, a cool historic mining town buried in the heart of the San Juans. Destination #3, which I really liked. After a day of good winds and great scenery I passed through Saguche, destination #4, and recently rated by Mountain Gazzette as a "Town where you can still get you're arse kicked. I found a dead town scene, but friendly people. The next day it was back thru Buena Vista, where I stuffed my face. Then I battled killer headwinds into Twin Lakes. The next day I reached destination #5,6,& 7. Finally climbing the beautiful and high (12,000) mountain pass, Aspen, and the irresistable Maroon Bells. Aspen is high brow and everybody was wearing designer cloths. Didn't did the town much, but the Maroon Bells were incredible. Unfortunately I missed Lance Armstrong mountain biking in Snowmass by one day. That afternoon I dragged my body back over Independence Pass. 100 miles and around 10,000 feet of climbing. Epic day.

The next morning I was tired, but made it into Leadville, one of my all time favorite towns of all time (destination #8). Got a greasy burger and fries, ran into some old friends and enjoyed myself. I planned for this to be my "recovery day". By the end of the day I had done an 11,000 and 12,000 mountain pass, climbed another 6 miles towards Mt Evans in the dark and cycled 110 miles! So this became my infamous "recovery/rest day" ;-) I ate the remainder of my food and climbed up to Echo Lake. Then I couldn't resist the temptation to climb Mt Evans (destination #9)(14,123 feet- the highest auto road in N. America). The last 6 miles were climbed to cars and except for a bit of snow, I had the road to myself. The weather at the top was incredible! the descent, basically all the way into Denver was marvelous (I don't think I could have done anymore climbing)! It took me three hours to reach the office on the far side of Denver (90 miles). Luckily a fellow guide was there and we enjoyed Chipotle burritos over beers. In all I cycled through some of the most beautiful country in Colorado, accomplished so many things, gained some fitness, and cycled over 850 miles over 12 mountain passes. It was exhausting, but incredible. The next day we pulled gear for our 10-day cycling tour in Southern tour, and early the next morning left for St. George. So now my eating has stabilized and my fitness is better. Good times ;-)