[Inline on my Website]
After meeting at the park and ride with Team Evergreen, a discussion
begins on whether changing today's ride is allowed. Originally planned
for St. Mary's Glacier, there's a consensus brewing for Camp Hale to
Tennessee Pass on the Colorado trail. Having never been on either, I go
with the flow not realizing that climbing has just changed from 2000' to
nearly 4000'. Camp Hale, here we come.
Located just outside of Leadville, CO., Camp Hale is the remnants of the
U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division. The Colorado trail runs right
through it.
After realizing we lost some of our group along the way, we head to the
trailhead only to find the lost group has already begun their ride. We
figure we'll see them at some point on their way back.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/IMG_4262.jpg
Since this is an out and back, it's only fitting that to enjoy the
downhill, you have to earn it. Judging from what lies ahead, there's a
lot of earning.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/IMG_4264.jpg
In no time we are on the sweet singletrack of the Colorado trail. My
fourth section of this mighty trail since arriving in Colorado.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/IMG_4265.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/IMG_4266.jpg
Trying to keep up with everyone is tough since I am still not acclimated
to the altitude. But, salvation comes five minutes into the ride with
the first flat tire. Ah, a chance to catch up.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/IMG_4267.jpg
Back on the bikes and back on the climb.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/IMG_4268.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/IMG_4269.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/IMG_4270.jpg
Heading up the Tennesee Pass yields more views and more singletrack.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/IMG_4271.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/IMG_4272.jpg
Eventually, the trail turns onto some old mining road doubletrack. We
follow the tailings until it leads us to a parking lot by Ski Cooper.
Now we go back? Nope.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/IMG_4273.jpg
Back onto the singltrack and it gets more fun as rocks start adding some
technical features to the trail.
We reach the two bridges over "my" creek and have some lunch.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/IMG_4276.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/IMG_4278.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/IMG_4280.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/IMG_4281.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/IMG_4282.jpg
Did I mention the trail full of rocks?
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/IMG_4284.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/IMG_4285.jpg
Are we done yet? Nope. More climbing.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/IMG_4286.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/IMG_4288.jpg
Finally, we reach the turn around point. And just in time. Having not
eaten breakfast, my blood sugar is low and I am very dizzy. But not
dizzy enough for the downhill. Yes, it's all worth it. Eventually we
come out to the train tracks and I take the shortcut option which
involves a little blacktop to the singletrack again. This avoids a
couple of climbs along the way. Yes, it's cheating but I'm seeing
double at this point and need to get a Coca-Cola IV as soon as possible.
We come out of the trail near some old bunkers, that I missed heading in.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/IMG_4262.jpg
Another look at the views and we head to dinner in Leadville at the
Tennesee Pass Inn (great food, by the way) and meet up with the lost group.
I was supposed to ride at Peaceful Valley on Sunday, but was way too
pooped. So I ate like a pig at Buffalo Bill Days fair in Golden, my
future permanent residence in Colorado.
GPS stuff:
3438' of climbing
3080' of decent (huh? How'd that happen?)
22 Miles
Top speed of 45 mph. (figure that one out)
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/chpro.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/chsat.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/072906/chtop.jpg
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o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws