[Inline on my site]
I was always in awe of reports that showed high altitude mountain biking
on trails that most people didn't ride that often. Where did they find
them? What was so special? When I got the message that FRMBP was going
to have a ride on some seldom used trails, I was all over it. I have to
keep the location to myself, but if you figure it out from the pictures,
more power to you.
So it's starts off somewhere in Colorado. You can almost tell you are
going to be riding primitive trails when the drive involve many miles of
dirt road with more miles on even rougher dirt road. We eventually come
to a point where said road is too washed out to go any further, so it's
climbing time.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4497.jpg
My exciting rises as we reach the singletrack. Singletrack? There's a
trail here?
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4499.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4500.jpg
The trail continues through Aspens and meadows on a mostly downhill
direction. What can be better? Barely visible singletrack with amazing
mountain views. You don't need the altitude to take your breath away.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4501.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4502.jpg
The gang stops to regroup and yes, we are on the trail as our guide Jeff
assures us.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4503.jpg
Snaking through the Aspens is always one of my favorite things to do.
There was just enough moisture on the trail to keep things tacky, which
made for some fast riding.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4506.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4506.jpg
Reaching the bottom we head off on some primitive 4x4 road (as in grown
over) and neander a few stream crossings.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4509.jpg
Including a flooded crossing which required a fire brigade crossing.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4510.jpg
Then it's back on some rather rocky overgrown two-track.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4513.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4514.jpg
Dr. Andrea decided to check out the shrooms which were everywhere.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4517.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4518.jpg
Blazing new trails? No, it's there.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4521.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4525.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4526.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4527.jpg
More rocky road. Quick someone call Ben and Jerrys.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4528.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4529.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4531.jpg
You gotta love Colorado. Snow in August!
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4530.jpg
We eventually hit a forest road with views in every direction. It's
just a short spur before the singletrack returns.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4533.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4534.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4535.jpg
Now, this section is absolutely awesome!
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4536.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4538.jpg
We stop to wait for the others and do a little trail maintenance two
solve two problems. One is erosion around a fallen tree and the other
is a way to get over the fallen tree.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4539.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4540.jpg
Then it's back to the real deal for the climb out.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4542.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4543.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4545.jpg
As usual, it's not mountain biking without blood. Andrea won the prize.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/082706/IMG_4547.jpg
Sixteen spectacular primitive singletrack miles and 2500' of climbing
with great people. I couldn't think of a better way to spend the day.
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o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws