Greetings,

Here’s the deal, I am a dirtbag traveler. Mountain bike rides so far have been out Internet coverage ahn I usually camp that way also. Many days go between updates and or, like tonight I am wrung out from a mostly technical big climb @ elevation and hot & dry.

I still have 8 more days in CO before I head out onto the plains. make them count. There aren’t these mountains in Indiana or any other place except CO. Most rides start around 8,000′ for lowest & top out @ 12,000′. My body is adjusting to these elevations somewhat. Now I just seem to pant because of lack of conditioning.

Today I rode from my camp @ a reclaimed tailings pond into Minturn, cross Eagle River, and ride back upstream almost across the river from my camp. Two Elk is a National Scenic Trail. It climbs thru a fissure in the mountains up into the alpine. Vail Ski Resort has made use of the trail’s upper reaches. Mostly tight technical rocks, exposure. I still know how to walk for safety although I am gaining confidence in myself and my bike handling skills. The Turner Spot will give it to me, I am the constraint this time.

Turn your screen sideways

Next is out in open meadow with aspen.

22 miles & 3,000′ elevation climbed in ride time of 3 hrs 39 mins, total time out 5 hours. Some of the cumulative time is a function of my stopping to walk, the computer doesn’t record I am moving while I am trying to get either into or out of my clipless pedals.

On saturday I drove over Independence Pass on Route 82. At least Going to the Sun highway has 2 full lanes. This pass on the Aspen side is carved into the mountain faces at times there is not enough room for 2 full lanes. No vehicles over 35′ length. Not white knuckled but apt attention paid to oncoming traffic.

The highway dumped me into the heart of big money land of Aspen. Time is money and I obeyed the speed limit to get the heck out of there.

I later turned up the road to Snowmass Ski Area, another showy place minus the airport. I heard about the Rim Trail that skirts the basin on the North side. Numerous outlooks on the trail allowed views of yours and others palatial temporary dwellings. The trail itself climbed quite a bit but was mostly hard packed clay. Almost buff.

But the views into the mountains were incredible. Somewhere back in there is Snowmass Mtn that a buddy & I ski climbed at Christmas years ago.

And other rides:

Around Turquoise Lake near leadville, CO, the only real ride so far that was relatively flat albeit I still climbed 1300′.

Twin Lakes out & back on Continental Divide Trail ( CDT).

A reast day in Salida, CO putzing around.

Bear Creek to Methodist Mtn on Rainbow Trail above Salida, CO.

Big ride: Monarch Crest but then you read about that earlier.

I am done for today. I need to plan rides and places to be for the next several days before i lower the bed.

The Norcold Refrigerator works on propane consistantly at elveations below 9000′ Once i leave for the flatlands I just might be able to store ice cream in the freezer.