Stardate 2015.501

Day Five RtR

Where's the Air

Day Five was the lengthiest day of the tour. It also was the highest day elevation-wise. The day yielded 102 miles of riding, including a lung-searing climb to 12,126-foot Cottonwood Pass. Success depended upon an individual's ability to process available air. I like to be high (not that kind of high) and mentally, for me, Day Five's 4,000-plus feet of elevation gain over 38 miles didn't quite match the difficulty of Day Two's 5,000-plus feet over 20 miles.

The tour organizer likes to throw in nice little climbs toward the end of the ride. This day was no exception. After a wonderfully long descent from 12,126 feet, we were rewarded with a nice little climb of 6 or 7 miles from the Town of Buena Vista to Mount Princeton Hot Springs. That pretty much finished my legs for the day. Thankfully, the remaining 20 miles to Salida were downhill.



Predicting a long day, Snowcatcher, as well as numerous other riders, wisely left early. However, with morning temps in the upper 30s, I was quick to break camp and swiftly get on the road myself. After a fast 17-mile descent to Almont, we turned east, heading up morning-shadowed Taylor Canyon. I was 30 miles into the ride before I stashed my jacket. At about mile 37, beautiful Taylor Park came into view, the peaks of the Sawatch Range awash in radiant morning light. Snowcatcher and I crossed paths here, which was a genuine treat.



I like riding dirt, especially high altitude dirt. I was facing about 13 miles of dirt to the summit of Cottonwood Pass. My wonderful other half knows I like to push myself, so she sent me on my way.



In time, I pedaled into the sub-alpine and took it all in.



As I approached the alpine, Cottonwood Pass played the usual tease game of looking closer than it actually was.




I never tire of the haunting siren of the Three Apostles. Ice Mountain (Middle Apostle) reigns at 13,951 feet, ranking 60th highest in the state. West Apostle rises to 13,568 feet and checks in as 210th highest. North Apostle touches the clouds at 13,860 feet, the 79th tallest peak in Colorado. The bottom photo is for comparison and was shot late August 2011.



Glancing back to the west, the distant Elk Mountains reach for the sky.



Now enter cowbells and people chanting up, up, up, to prod that last little burst of energy onto the pass.



The paved east side of Cottonwood Pass is a fast descent into Cottonwood Creek and down to Buena Vista. I should have videoed the descent because it is a bowlful of awesomeness. Awesomeness is a word, is it not? I don't see a red squiggly.



I reached Mount Princeton Hot Springs about 82 miles into the ride. At this point, I had the cat by the tail.

Stats:
102 miles
6:51:50 ride time (Add about 1 hour for water stops.)
4,500-plus feet of elevation gain

See y'all on on Day Six!

Adios

Stardate 2015.203

2015 Ride the Rockies and Cottonwood Pass

Day Six of Ride the Rockies will be a 102-mile ride with only one pass to cross - Cottonwood. The catch? The west side of Cottonwood Pass is dirt, gravel, usually pot-holed and saturated in places with dust inhibitor. It'll be a hoot! The above pic is the northerly view from the summit of Cottonwood Pass.



The pass is quite scenic and surrounded by mountains. Rising to the northwest, the Three Apostles are popular with climbers, especially Ice Mountain, the Middle Apostle. I took the above shot while "lizarding" around the west side a bit. We had pedaled up the east side early to secure a good vantage point for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. As a result, we had to wait awhile. At this point, the riders had not even left Gunnison.



The Apostles have been known to be on the shy side.



Cottonwood Pass is on the crest of the Sawatch Range, 12,126-feet above two seas. Yes, the pass sits on the Continental Divide.





The east side is paved, has seasonal moods and provides a fun descent through numerous sharp turns that continue to pop up well below treeline.



Cottonwood Pass is a popular climb with cyclists. It's occasionally crossed by Ride the Rockies, and often used as part of a Stage in the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. In the above pic, we were several hours away from the expected summit time of the peloton. Being monsoon season in the high country, the weather went south several hours later.



Winter comes early here, and the pass usually is closed during the snow months. The above photo was taken in late September.



In the above pic, the view is toward the west side of the pass on a frosty fall afternoon. The pic was taken from below the final switchback before the narrow traverse to the summit.

Until next time...

...Adios

Stardate 2015.192

The Countdown Begins

On March 6th, Snowcatcher and I were informed we had survived the Ride the Rockies entrance lottery. How about that? Kuule Beanz, eh! This will be Snowcatcher's 6th and my 5th time to ride this event. It also is the event's 30th anniversary. It's a good route and should be a hoot. Besides, it gives me blog fodder down the road.



Thus, our first official training ride was Saturday, March 7th. We had planned to climb Deer Creek Canyon. However, traffic was a mess, and a bit rude. I had a "hinky" not to continue up the canyon. When I mentioned this to Snowcatcher, she had the same feeling. Instead, we climbed a stiff access road to a nearby subdivision and Deer Creek Canyon Mountain Park. We ended up with a nice little 26-mile ride.



This segment of road is not long; but, the road is twisty and very steep. Snowcatcher may be seen grinding up the incline.



Yeah, that's her stylin'! She made it look easy.



We took a breather at Deer Creek Canyon Mountain Park.



There are nice rock formations scattered about. We're actually in the vicinity of a huge hogback that runs parallel to a large part of the state's Front Range. The geologic strata tips up steep and proud; it's quite picturesque in places.



A nice little descent complimented our neighborhood sneak.



Being a Lizard, hailing from the land of sandstone (literally), I appreciate as much sandstone as I can find. Seriously. There are some fairly colorful seams exposed here and there.

That's it for today. Lots more to come; stay tuned.

Adios

Stardate 2015.142

Ride The Rockies Dirty 30

Day 4 of this year's Ride the Rockies has an option. In addition to the normal State Highway route between Gunnison and Crested Butte, Colorado, riders will have the option of riding over Ohio Pass (10,033 ft), dropping to Kebler Pass (9,980 ft), then further dropping to historic Crested Butte.



The Ohio Pass option — "Dirty Thirty" as it's called — should be a jewel. The route up Ohio Creek begins about 3 miles north of Gunnison. The ride up the creek is a very scenic roll through numerous working ranches. Better yet, the Castles will be in view a good portion of the way.



About 18 miles up Ohio Creek, give or take, the asphalt gives way to dirt and gravel. During the fall, this region can be immersed in colored foliage. Ohio Pass is still several miles ahead. The rocky grade increases significantly as the route begins its climb over the eastern shoulder of the Anthracite Range.



I've spent a fair amount of time on Ohio Pass and Cottonwood Pass, the other dirt leg of this year's ride. Cottonwood has the elevation, but Ohio is more narrow and rocky. More than a few wheel rims will come off of Ohio Pass with war wounds.




From the summit of Ohio Pass, it's a short, easy, dirt descent to Kebler Pass. West of Kebler Pass, the road remains dirt. However, the tour will descend the east side of Kebler on relatively new asphalt.




The Kebler descent will deposit riders in the heart of Crested Butte.

Adios