Sunday, May 31, 2009

Death Ride

The Death Ride Loop took place for three of us on May 30th. This ride consists of 236 miles and somewhere in the range of 15-20k of climbing. Maybe more. Shawn Gregory, Kiviok Hight and myself started at 4.10am from Dolores and rode this loop clockwise. We hit Rico around 6.20am and Laura, my lovely wife, had hot coffee and breakfast burritos waiting for us. Thanks Laura!!!!! A bit cold up in the high country, around 31 degrees when we hit Rico but soon the sun was out and it was looking to be a good day. We hit Ouray around 12 pm and stopped for a lunch break at a local restaurant. We than headed up Red Mtn; a 13 mile huck to 11,018 feet. The weather turned on us half way through this section and it was looking to be a real long day. After getting hammered with rain and wind for about half an hour it subsided and started clearing. The descent down into Silverton was pretty frigid. I had planned my clothing selection correctly. It was roughly 3pm when we headed out of Silverton after warming up with some coffee and made our way up to Molas Pass; a 7 mile climb and Coal Bank Pass; a 3 mile climb. We finally arrived in Durango around 6pm and ate some dinner and made our way through Durango and up the big climb on our way to Mancos. It was dark at Mancos so it was time for the lights to be turned on and we started our last 19 miles to Dolores. Most of it uphill. The weather again turned on us and we were greeted with a head wind, rain and lightning for the remainder of our ride. We finally arrived in Dolores at 10.15pm. What a ride!! Approximately 16 hours of pedaling and 18 hours total of being out in it. Not sure if I want to do this ride again but it was a ride of a lifetime.





My Dean titanium road bike. Packed with the essentials.

Kiviok looking fresh in Placerville.

Shawn with all kinds of gear. Where did he put all of it?!



Me and Shawn making our way up Red Mountain.



Red Mountain Pass....11,018 feet elevation. 13 miles of climbing from Silverton.




Shawn making it to he summit of Red Mountain Pass.




Kiviok arriving to the top of Red Mountain Pass. It was cold and wet.



High country for sure.



Atop Molas Pass. Beautiful views abound.




Three tired cyclist on the last big pass before descending the 30 miles into Durango. Than it was only 47 miles to the finish in Dolores.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Death loop

Looks like a Death Loop may be on tap for Saturday morning. Weather is looking so-so but I have some takers: Shawn and Kiviok. Let's do it I say. Rolling out at 4am from Dolores and riding clockwise. 236 miles and who knows how much climbing, 20K!?!? Anyone know? This ride follows the San Juan Scenic byway from Rico to Telluride, Ridgeway, through Ouray, over Red Mtn. Pass to Silverton. On to Durango, Mancos and back to Dolores. I'm thinking 16 hours on a geared road bike at 15 mph. Sounds fun, huh?!?!? Most of the ride is at 8k or more.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Spring in Rico



The weather has been somewhat decent. A little rain and thunder but nothing major. Snow is melting and our little "local's loop" is opened up. Rode on this loop Tuesday and Wednesday.




The new bridge I built two weeks ago.





















Rico from above. An awesome place to live.


Nacho hanging out last weekend watching me piddle around the yard before I headed out to do the KTR.

Pic of our house from last weekend. The month of May has been like June weather lately.
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Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Kokopelli Trail Race

I survived the KTR; 142 miles from Moab to Fruita on mostly rocky knarly 4x4 road, some asphalt road, and a little bit of singltrack at the end of the ride. Total of 15,000 of climbing as well. We started in Moab at midnight and I finished right at 19 hours which is not bad considering I had some issues along the way. My Ergon pack shoulder strap started unstiching itself and I had to rig it with duct tape. My water filter handle broke for my last water stop so I went without water nearly 2 hours and to top it all off my egg beater right pedal spring broke while negotiating Troy built and Lyons loop and I decided to bail over the ridge to the frontage road. That wasn't much fun in the last few miles of riding single track. Shawn and Kiviok from the Cortez area joined in on the fun as well and finished their first KTR. Temps ranged from 37 degrees at night to the mid 90's during the day. Np ics right now as I didn't take any. Kiviok may have soem for me.

Friday, May 15, 2009

12 Hours of Mesa Verde

Did mediorce at the 12 Hours of Mesa Verde. I mustered 6 laps which put me 10th out of 28 solo single speeders. Next year will be my year!! LOL!!!



It's Friday. May 15th and I'm getting ready for the next monster ride. Tonight at midnight we leave Moab and ride to Fruita. AKA the KTR. No outside help, carry all you need and filter water out of the mighty Colorado River. Single speed of course on the 29er with a gear ratio of 32x20; my standard gear. It should be fun to a degree. Riding with Shawn and Kiviok. My usual riding buddy and teammate, Matt Turgeon cracked some vertebrae in his back last weekend at the 12 hour race so he will be sitting this one out. Heal fast my friend. I sure will miss riding with him. This is my third time riding this so I'm well accustomed for what is coming at me. A long ride that has taken about 18 hours to complete. 142 miles and 15k of climbing.


Out. Details after the ride.

Friday, May 8, 2009

12 Hours of Mesa Verde


It's that time again to ride some laps on the sweet singletrack known as Phil's World in Cortez. I have done poorly at this event for the past two years and I hope to turn that around tomorrow.


Friday, May 1, 2009

Sedona

We surprised Laura with having Mike and Sophia meet us for breakfast at the Coffee Pot on Friday morning. It was an awesome surprise she never expectd. We had a few days of awesome riding. Keevin and Heidi were in Sedona as well with another group so we didnt get to hang out much with them.