Mt. Evans 08/14/15

Last week I talked my friend Mike Molitor into riding Mt Evans with me but he seemed a little hesitant t about it. So I sent the link to "The 10 Best Climbs in the USA".  Mt. Evans was rated #1. His reply: "What! Are you trying to kill me!" Here is the link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QanomCmeoGc&list=PLUdAMlZtaV101mRAD3qI7l4PhoFUA9Mqi

On that note we started out. We left Erie late [somebody's alarm set wrong] and were certainthat we would indeed be caught on themountain when typical afternoon storms moved in. A hopeful sign, though, we left from Idaho Springs and not a cloud was to be seen. After climbing up Squaw Pass to Echo Lake a few clouds began to appear. We met a few other bike riders at the lodge and promised the we would meet them at the top. We soon were riding up the Mountain with its beautiful view. So a quick stop for pictures and off again.

Soon after we passed the Nature Building the rain came. We ignored it for a couple of miles but were forced to put on light rain gear. A few more miles and the sleet came and another wardrobe change. This time it helmet cover, shoe covers, full rain jackets and of course Sealskin gloves. We then just had to climb, and climb we did up to 14130 ft. I compared this picture to the one taken last year and apparently Mt Evans had grown 15 ft since last year. A nice couple from Indianapolis took this picture for us.

A shaggy goat and kid appeared more picture taking.

It was time for our treacherous descent down Mt. Evans with all its cracks and potholes sothey speak Chinese at the bottom of them. Do not forget the frost heave it also makes for a fun descent. When we arrived at the Nature building a nice couple offered us a ride down but we decline the offer and instead made another wardrobe change emptying out my bag. The remainder of the ride was on smooth pavement down Squaw pass and back to Idaho Springs.

Trailridge 08/08/14

My friend Earl Invited me up to his place on Shadow Mt. Reservoir for a ride up Trailridge road inside Rocky Mountain National Park. It was to be his last chance to ride this steep road before going back to his teaching job.

When we left in the morning it was cool around forty five degrees with heavy clouds. The forecast was for rain by 2 pm. The first ten miles or so was a slight steady climb. When we arrived at the trail head where the climbing would start we realized that we were over dressed for the climb. after a wardrobe change were off on a beautiful climb.

Our first stop was the Fairview overlook the view of the lower park was stunning. After a few minutes there we were off for more ascent. It was a good climb up past the two mile sign and to the Continental divide, It was starting to get windy and cool down some but still amazing. We stopped and talked to a ranger and some tourist who kindly took our picture.

As we took of the road became steeper and the trees fewer. Soon we were above tree line and the climbing became tougher. After climbing in much colder and windier conditions we arrived a the Visitor's center where we had a snack and conversation with some park guests.

Our down hill was quite invigorating as we flew down. But soon the cars could not go as fast as we had been going and we had to push them down the hill. When we reached the meadows below the cars left us and we were left to enjoy our ride home.

On our way out of the park we encountered two huge bull elks. They certainly attracted a large crowd of tourists.

THE 2015 TRIPLE BYPASS RIDE

Road biking, mountain biking and hiking are the three best ways to see the Colorado Rocky Mountains. We most enjoy the road biking. The Triple Bypass ride is a very challenging way to experience sub alpine, alpine and above timberline zones of vegetation and microclimates. It’s 120 miles of hard climbs and screaming steep descents. Approximately 3500 riders sign up to go east to west and 2500 go west to east. It’s a ride, not a race, so there are no statistics on how many actually finish. I have wanted to complete this ride for 4 years but pneumonia and a broken collar bone prevented me from accomplishing this goal. On the slow uphill (John at about 9 mph and I at about 7.5 mph) there’s time to smell the evergreens, appreciate the wild flowers and enjoy the hundred mile views. Coming down each of the passes, Juniper, Loveland and Vail, requires enough concentration that gazing over the spectacular scenery is just not an option. I top out at about 30 mpg, John 42. This ride really makes us appreciate the skill of the pros in the Tour de France. They regularly do 15 mpg up hill and 55 downhill. Of Course they are full time athletes and most are less than half our age.

The east to west route begins in Bergen Park and climbs 3500’ in 16 miles to Juniper Pass at 11,140’. See the video for glimpse of this portion of the route. By the time we get over the pass and to Idaho Springs, at approximately the same altitude as Bergen Park we’ve completed one third of the ride. Then we begin the long, long, gradual ascent from Idaho Springs to the base of Loveland Pass. It doesn’t look steep. The grade is mostly less than 6% but it’s a slog. It feels more like pedaling with the brakes dragging than climbing. The climb takes us through Georgetown and the station for the Georgetown loop narrow gage railroad and briefly parallel to Interstate 70. There’s a beautiful bike path through the forest although the short steep climbs make it challenging. Our friend who generously agreed to SAG for us met us at the base of Loveland Pass with lunch. After lunch we began the short, 4 mile climb to the 11,900’ summit.  Great views but not much oxygen at the top. The summit is also the half way point.

For me that meant 6 hours. After the rapid descent we travel over a “bump”, Swan Mountain. It’s a climb but not a pass and does not reach above tree line. From there we travel on the bike path through Frisco and Copper Mountain. The bike path has its own hazards. There at tourists on rental bike with children, dogs on leashes, walkers. Most don’t have a clue about getting out of our way. By the time I encounter them it takes more energy than I can afford to expend to be polite and warn them that I would like to pass on their left. From Copper Mountain at about mile 88, we begin the final ascent to Vail Pass, just 6 miles of uphill to 10,560’ remaining. John blazed up it. I rather surprised myself by making it without getting off and walking the 2 difficult short sections of climbing. From the pass, we descend for 32 miles through the town of Vail to Avon and the finish line.

WooHoo! John completed this ride for the 5th time. I finally made it to the finish line. Again next year? We’ll see.