Crested Butte, CO that is. Yesterday AM visited w/ Mark b4 heading over the Monarch Pass for Crested Butte. Mark, a full stick of gum is just too large to manipulate while riding. 1/3 seems just right.
Made CB. Checked out Alpineer shop for ride ideas. Then walked Main st. Found another bike shop that sells Truners and has a rental fleet. Wow. Woman employee there is getting a DW Spot and she is so stoked.
Drove up Cement creek for primitive sleep spot. Took m1 1.4 miles below the one where I stayed 2 years ago. Road gets beat up and road is bench cut creating few places to get off the road. Wlaked up the road after dinner and found old spot empty. Too late, just added 1.4 mile to climb out.
Today I ride from the van for Reno, Flag, Bear, & Deadman.4 hours, 3500′ in 28 miles. Big road climb up Reno divide road. Then drop into a drainage then climb out of one, then drfop in and climb out again climaxed by 2 mile drop down deadman’s gulch w/ too many switchbacks to remember. All dirt bike trails which are littered w/ grade dips that all seemed to have left over rain h2o that created mud that splashed me & bike. Beautiful day.
Hung solar shower but I deemed it too cold for an outside shower from the breeze, outside temp was in upper 70s and the h2o wasn’t overly hot. Bailed for $5.50 shower @ hostel. Why $0.50?
Forecast is for 40% possible ehavy rains for rest of week. Plan tonight is to drive out beyond Gothic for sleep spot and position to ride famous 401 trail. Rides here seem to be monster road rides up to drop in on ST back down. $01, 403, & Doctor’s park are like that.
Grace’s gang will be riding Monarch on Sat now, a day earlier. Need to ride above 3 rides b4 leaving CB.
No internet access back in creek bottoms.
Lots of beaver dams on smaller creeks on today’s ride, kind of like holding ponds or terraces on the creek. Locations are determined by stream flow characteristic and closeness to food supply.
I am using the inhaler several times during the day. I used it mid ride today. I can climb. I suspect that I have had asthma all along as the inhaler opens my lungs… or is it just the drugs? The 3 days of steroids were pleasant as I felt good overall.
Gotta go to grab a sleep spot.