Colorado
Two good things about Colorado in the summer are cool temperatures, and alpine singletrack. Lots more, but those two are enough to get me out of Moab. I’m writing this during a couple of days back in town. Susan and I just returned from a week in Steamboat Springs and Crested Butte. Tomorrow, I’ll head back up into the mountains for more.
We wanted to check out Steamboat as a potential winter location this year. I’ve been there a few times in the last couple years, but never really hung out and got a feel for the town. Outside of social activities, I was able to take advantage of local trail knowledge. My friend Marko took me out on a some good rides. Notable was Tuesday’s spin along the Continental Divide and down Fish Creek. It was a really big ride with all kinds of terrain. High alpine meadows and lakes. Technical descending along a beautiful canyon, and amazing waterfalls. And to top it off, town to town, no driving needed! Marko will line up for the Colorado Trail race in a few weeks, so it was good to ride with him and compare notes.
Crested Butte is of course prefect right now. It had been dry, but we got a little evening rain upon arrival to help out the trails. We scored a perfect campsite. Luck had us arriving just as the firepit was going in the ground. It was a brand new site across the Slate river at Oh be Joyful. None of the flies present at the other camping areas, and a singletrack commute to town! Since we had several friends coming to camp with us, a good site was crucial.
Several days of good riding happened. Susan and I rode 401 with friends, which was a highlight. Mostly, we just enjoyed the atmosphere, company, and beautiful scenery.
The reason we had others camping with us was the Crested Butte Classic on Saturday. This is THE cool event on my calendar. I always seem to have some issue during the event, but it is such a good time. In fact, my enjoyment of this one is what inspired the Rim Ride. It is a 100mi race, looping back through town twice. Never backtracking or re-riding the same trail though, just lots of great trails with lots of strong riders. Noteworthy were the resemblance to the TdF off the start as local Ethan P took a flyer with all his teammates swarming the front of the 80strong field. The descents along 403 and 401 were highlights. Deer Creek was not. The hike a bikes weren’t the problem as much as the loss of my rear brake. I was able to deal with it a couple of times, until the pistons totally stuck open. I broke off the pin trying to pull the pads (don’t ask), so I removed the rotor, and rode it for the next 45mi with just the forward stopper. They just slow you down anyway right. I guess I might be more on top of maintaining these things now. At any rate, I was able to turn a really fast time on the last section and get myself home under the 10hr mark. 14th place was my result, which sounded a lot better than the 23rd I was running following the trailside shenanigans.
Tomorrow I get on the bus to Denver. The Colorado Trail Race starts Thursday at 3PM. With some luck, I’ll finish it early next week in Durango.
FW
