Saturday, July 9, 2011
Day 7 Snowmass village to Glenwood springs
Today was officially the last day of riding on our 9 day trip. We ate breakfast at 7am in the mall and then we had luggage load at 8am. After taking pictures of the group we had 2 options for the ride today. 1st option was to go directly to Glenwood Springs which was 50 miles or do a side trip to the Maroon Bells which would add another 20 miles to the day. 2 riders chose to go direct to Gleenwood and the other 12 decided to make the side trip.
Thursday when the side trip was being discussed, I told everyone that asked me that I probably would not do it. The climb up to the resort really wasted me and my legs were trashed. But with a fair nights sleep I elected to make the extra 20 mile loop with a 1500' climb in the 9.2 miles up to Maroon Bells. The group of 12 that made the extra loop stayed together until the turn off to start the upward trek. Then everyone once again climbed at their own pace. It started our to be a 1-3% climb and the road was winding before it began to go up the valley. Then it pitched up to 5-6% with spots going up to 7-9% for short distance.
Everyone made it to the top and took pictures. I was glad to have made the choice to see this as it was worth the trip. The only thing wrong was the weather did not cooperate as the top of the 3 peaks were surrounded by clouds. Well you can't control the weather and we all left for the terrific descent back down and into the town of Aspen. Once again everyone descends as their own pace and each one decides how much rick you want to take on the downhills. I have become much more cautious after doing over 50mph in Wyoming 2 years ago. I got up to 40 on this downhill and that was fast enough for me. While going down I saw numerous Rock Chucks and they were whistling to each other as we zoomed by. Then on the road I spotted some kind of a bird with little ones, when I got close I changed to the other side of the road as it was a mother Blue Grouse with 3 very small chicks. She was herding then back off the road where they were all safe.
After everyone got to the bottom we regrouped and ate a snack and filled the bottles up for the 44 mile trip to Glenwood Springs via the Rio Grand Bike Path. This is a really nice path that was an old railroad bed that has been turned into a bike path and it runs all the way to Glenwood Springs.
The total climb today was 2898 ft. with the descent of 5732 ft., which meant that we had a really nice downhill all the way in. At noon we passed a town and stopped and got a sandwich and then were on our Way once again. The miles were going by fast and we could see the clouds building and it was go ing to rain and we had 8 miles to go. We started picking up the pace and were breaking the speed limit on the path which is 20mph and when I looked we were going 26.9 mph on the flats. Well we did not out run the storm and got caught in the rain with 2.5 miles to go. Everyone got in safely and a little wet, but with all the riding in the Mtns, and the chance of rain everyday at high elevation, we really lucked out and the weather gods were on our side this week.
After getting to the Hotel and showering, we had RAP at 445PM and then loaded our bikes in a horse trailer for their ride back to Boulder tomorrow and most of us are riding Amtrak back to Denver and then there will be cars at the depot to take us back to Boulder or Berthoud, where our cars were left.
It has really been a great week of riding with old friends and some new ones in the great state of Colorado. The views, scenery, wildlife and flowers are magnificent. This trip challenged me every day, but if you put your mind to it you can do anything.
Looking forward to coming back home, but will miss the cooler weather, but it will be nice to not have to get on the bike on Sat.
Thursday when the side trip was being discussed, I told everyone that asked me that I probably would not do it. The climb up to the resort really wasted me and my legs were trashed. But with a fair nights sleep I elected to make the extra 20 mile loop with a 1500' climb in the 9.2 miles up to Maroon Bells. The group of 12 that made the extra loop stayed together until the turn off to start the upward trek. Then everyone once again climbed at their own pace. It started our to be a 1-3% climb and the road was winding before it began to go up the valley. Then it pitched up to 5-6% with spots going up to 7-9% for short distance.
Everyone made it to the top and took pictures. I was glad to have made the choice to see this as it was worth the trip. The only thing wrong was the weather did not cooperate as the top of the 3 peaks were surrounded by clouds. Well you can't control the weather and we all left for the terrific descent back down and into the town of Aspen. Once again everyone descends as their own pace and each one decides how much rick you want to take on the downhills. I have become much more cautious after doing over 50mph in Wyoming 2 years ago. I got up to 40 on this downhill and that was fast enough for me. While going down I saw numerous Rock Chucks and they were whistling to each other as we zoomed by. Then on the road I spotted some kind of a bird with little ones, when I got close I changed to the other side of the road as it was a mother Blue Grouse with 3 very small chicks. She was herding then back off the road where they were all safe.
After everyone got to the bottom we regrouped and ate a snack and filled the bottles up for the 44 mile trip to Glenwood Springs via the Rio Grand Bike Path. This is a really nice path that was an old railroad bed that has been turned into a bike path and it runs all the way to Glenwood Springs.
The total climb today was 2898 ft. with the descent of 5732 ft., which meant that we had a really nice downhill all the way in. At noon we passed a town and stopped and got a sandwich and then were on our Way once again. The miles were going by fast and we could see the clouds building and it was go ing to rain and we had 8 miles to go. We started picking up the pace and were breaking the speed limit on the path which is 20mph and when I looked we were going 26.9 mph on the flats. Well we did not out run the storm and got caught in the rain with 2.5 miles to go. Everyone got in safely and a little wet, but with all the riding in the Mtns, and the chance of rain everyday at high elevation, we really lucked out and the weather gods were on our side this week.
After getting to the Hotel and showering, we had RAP at 445PM and then loaded our bikes in a horse trailer for their ride back to Boulder tomorrow and most of us are riding Amtrak back to Denver and then there will be cars at the depot to take us back to Boulder or Berthoud, where our cars were left.
It has really been a great week of riding with old friends and some new ones in the great state of Colorado. The views, scenery, wildlife and flowers are magnificent. This trip challenged me every day, but if you put your mind to it you can do anything.
Looking forward to coming back home, but will miss the cooler weather, but it will be nice to not have to get on the bike on Sat.
Day 7 Snowmass village to Glenwood springs
Today was officially the last day of riding on our 9 day trip. We ate breakfast at 7am in the mall and then we had luggage load at 8am. After taking pictures of the group we had 2 options for the ride today. 1st option was to go directly to Glenwood Springs which was 50 miles or do a side trip to the Maroon Bells which would add another 20 miles to the day. 2 riders chose to go direct to Gleenwood and the other 12 decided to make the side trip.
Thursday when the side trip was being discussed, I told everyone that asked me that I probably would not do it. The climb up to the resort really wasted me and my legs were trashed. But with a fair nights sleep I elected to make the extra 20 mile loop with a 1500' climb in the 9.2 miles up to Maroon Bells. The group of 12 that made the extra loop stayed together until the turn off to start the upward trek. Then everyone once again climbed at their own pace. It started our to be a 1-3% climb and the road was winding before it began to go up the valley. Then it pitched up to 5-6% with spots going up to 7-9% for short distance.
Everyone made it to the top and took pictures. I was glad to have made the choice to see this as it was worth the trip. The only thing wrong was the weather did not cooperate as the top of the 3 peaks were surrounded by clouds. Well you can't control the weather and we all left for the terrific descent back down and into the town of Aspen. Once again everyone descends as their own pace and each one decides how much rick you want to take on the downhills. I have become much more cautious after doing over 50mph in Wyoming 2 years ago. I got up to 40 on this downhill and that was fast enough for me. While going down I saw numerous Rock Chucks and they were whistling to each other as we zoomed by. Then on the road I spotted some kind of a bird with little ones, when I got close I changed to the other side of the road as it was a mother Blue Grouse with 3 very small chicks. She was uherding then back off the road where they were all safe.
After everyone got to the bottom we regrouped and ate a snack and filled the bottles up for the 44 mile trip to Glenwood Springs via the Rio Grand Bike Path. This is a really nice path that was an old railroad bed that has been turned into a bike path and it runs all the way to Glenwood Springs.
The total climb today was 2898 ft. with the descent of 5732 ft., which meant that we had a really nice downhill all the way in. At noon we passed a town and stopped and got a sandwich and then were on our Way once again. The miles were going by fast and we could see the clouds building and it was go ing to rain and we had 8 miles to go. We started picking up the pace and were breaking the speed limit on the path which is 20mph and when I looked we were going 26.9 mph on the flats. Well we did not out run the storm and got caught in the rain with 2.5 miles to go. Everyone got in safely and a little wet, but with all the riding in the Mtns, and the chance of rain everyday at high elevation, we really lucked out and the weather gods were on our side this week.
After getting to the Hotel and showering, we had RAP at 445PM and then loaded our bikes in a horse trailer for their ride back to Boulder tomorrow and most of us are riding Amtrak back to Denver and then there will be cars at the depot to take us back to Boulder or Berthoud, where our cars were left.
It has really been a great week of riding with old friends and some new ones in the great state of Colorado. The views, scenery, wildlife and flowers are magnificent. This trip challenged me every day, but if you put your mind to it you can do anything.
Looking forward to coming back home, but will miss the cooler weather, but it will be nice to not have to get on the bike on Sat.
Thursday when the side trip was being discussed, I told everyone that asked me that I probably would not do it. The climb up to the resort really wasted me and my legs were trashed. But with a fair nights sleep I elected to make the extra 20 mile loop with a 1500' climb in the 9.2 miles up to Maroon Bells. The group of 12 that made the extra loop stayed together until the turn off to start the upward trek. Then everyone once again climbed at their own pace. It started our to be a 1-3% climb and the road was winding before it began to go up the valley. Then it pitched up to 5-6% with spots going up to 7-9% for short distance.
Everyone made it to the top and took pictures. I was glad to have made the choice to see this as it was worth the trip. The only thing wrong was the weather did not cooperate as the top of the 3 peaks were surrounded by clouds. Well you can't control the weather and we all left for the terrific descent back down and into the town of Aspen. Once again everyone descends as their own pace and each one decides how much rick you want to take on the downhills. I have become much more cautious after doing over 50mph in Wyoming 2 years ago. I got up to 40 on this downhill and that was fast enough for me. While going down I saw numerous Rock Chucks and they were whistling to each other as we zoomed by. Then on the road I spotted some kind of a bird with little ones, when I got close I changed to the other side of the road as it was a mother Blue Grouse with 3 very small chicks. She was uherding then back off the road where they were all safe.
After everyone got to the bottom we regrouped and ate a snack and filled the bottles up for the 44 mile trip to Glenwood Springs via the Rio Grand Bike Path. This is a really nice path that was an old railroad bed that has been turned into a bike path and it runs all the way to Glenwood Springs.
The total climb today was 2898 ft. with the descent of 5732 ft., which meant that we had a really nice downhill all the way in. At noon we passed a town and stopped and got a sandwich and then were on our Way once again. The miles were going by fast and we could see the clouds building and it was go ing to rain and we had 8 miles to go. We started picking up the pace and were breaking the speed limit on the path which is 20mph and when I looked we were going 26.9 mph on the flats. Well we did not out run the storm and got caught in the rain with 2.5 miles to go. Everyone got in safely and a little wet, but with all the riding in the Mtns, and the chance of rain everyday at high elevation, we really lucked out and the weather gods were on our side this week.
After getting to the Hotel and showering, we had RAP at 445PM and then loaded our bikes in a horse trailer for their ride back to Boulder tomorrow and most of us are riding Amtrak back to Denver and then there will be cars at the depot to take us back to Boulder or Berthoud, where our cars were left.
It has really been a great week of riding with old friends and some new ones in the great state of Colorado. The views, scenery, wildlife and flowers are magnificent. This trip challenged me every day, but if you put your mind to it you can do anything.
Looking forward to coming back home, but will miss the cooler weather, but it will be nice to not have to get on the bike on Sat.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Day 6 Leadville to Snowmass Village 68.5 miles with 4426' of climbing
Last night we were at the Delaware Hotel in Leadville. This is an old original building from the gold rush days and it is a really neat building. The only downside I saw was being on the third floor and very steep stairs. With the altitude at 10152 it was really tough climbing the stairs with our luggage. We left our bikes at a local bike shop as they do not allow bikes or cycling shoes in the Hotel.
Today we loaded our luggage at 645 and then ate at the Hotel as the meal was included with the room and then we got on the road at 715. The temperature was 46 when we started and we had a 15 mile downhill out of town and it was a little cool coasting at 20 MPH with little or no effort. We then turned and started a slow climb up the valley. We had an official rest stop at mile 20 and then the road started to kick up a little bit. We all knew it was going to climb as we were topping out at the pass a little over 12000 ft. We dropped about 1000' after leaving Leadville and we had to make that up.
After going up the valley for quite awhile we then could see where the climb really started as the switchbacks started and the road most of the time was between 6 and 7% all the way to the top. After we got to the top another rest stop was on top and we ate fueled up and took the traditional top of the pass picture.
We then decided it was time to descend and we put on our jackets and arm warmers and began the 15 mile descent into the town of Aspen. The road down was really rough with pot holes and we were real cautious so no one had any misshaps. After arriving into Aspen we stopped and ate lunch and then Rick who was eating with us said we had the big climb still to come to the Hotel. We had 10 miles to go and it really was a steep climb or between 9-13% grade most of the way up to the Snow mass village. Everyone was really tired after all the ups today and we are all resting up for the last day tomorrow into Glenwood Springs. The route is only for 52 miles and it is all downhill. We have and optional ride up to the Maroon Bells which will add another 20 miles with 1500' of climbing, so most of us are doing this extra loop.
That's it for today and more on tomorrows post,
Today we loaded our luggage at 645 and then ate at the Hotel as the meal was included with the room and then we got on the road at 715. The temperature was 46 when we started and we had a 15 mile downhill out of town and it was a little cool coasting at 20 MPH with little or no effort. We then turned and started a slow climb up the valley. We had an official rest stop at mile 20 and then the road started to kick up a little bit. We all knew it was going to climb as we were topping out at the pass a little over 12000 ft. We dropped about 1000' after leaving Leadville and we had to make that up.
After going up the valley for quite awhile we then could see where the climb really started as the switchbacks started and the road most of the time was between 6 and 7% all the way to the top. After we got to the top another rest stop was on top and we ate fueled up and took the traditional top of the pass picture.
We then decided it was time to descend and we put on our jackets and arm warmers and began the 15 mile descent into the town of Aspen. The road down was really rough with pot holes and we were real cautious so no one had any misshaps. After arriving into Aspen we stopped and ate lunch and then Rick who was eating with us said we had the big climb still to come to the Hotel. We had 10 miles to go and it really was a steep climb or between 9-13% grade most of the way up to the Snow mass village. Everyone was really tired after all the ups today and we are all resting up for the last day tomorrow into Glenwood Springs. The route is only for 52 miles and it is all downhill. We have and optional ride up to the Maroon Bells which will add another 20 miles with 1500' of climbing, so most of us are doing this extra loop.
That's it for today and more on tomorrows post,
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Day 5 off day in Copper Mtn and day 6 Copper Mtn to Leadville 32 miles with 2346' of climbing
On our day off in Copper Mtn we got up and went to eat breakfast as a group and then about 11 of us rode the chair lift up to the top of the mountain and then 6 of us walked back down the 3 miles to the bottom. It was really refreshing just to hang out and not have to get on the bike. When we got to the bottom it started to rain. Than off and on it rained most of the rest of the day. I woke up at 3 30 this morning and it was a downpour. I was thinking we might have to ride in the rain today, but it was gone by the time we loaded our luggage at 7am and then ate and were off. It was 44 degrees when we left and we had a short 26 miles to Leadville with a loop trip after arriving there. The climb up Freemont pass was much easier than the last 4 days we have done, which was really nice. We got to the top and had our only rest stop of the day and we took pictures and then ate and headed the last leg into town.
We arrived into town at 11am and we could not check in to our rooms until 2pm, so the group split and some did the lake loop and the others did the mine loop in town. Everyone then ate lunch and we all checked in and showered and then had our rap session where we talked about tomorrows ride which goes over Independence pass and then into snow mass.
We have 68 miles tomorrow and one major climb. I will update the blog again tomorrow.
We arrived into town at 11am and we could not check in to our rooms until 2pm, so the group split and some did the lake loop and the others did the mine loop in town. Everyone then ate lunch and we all checked in and showered and then had our rap session where we talked about tomorrows ride which goes over Independence pass and then into snow mass.
We have 68 miles tomorrow and one major climb. I will update the blog again tomorrow.
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