Copper Triangle 10th September

I chose this ride primarily because it was a loop for a change rather then an out and back. The Copper Triangle gran fondo uses this circuit, the only difference is that I started from Leadville rather than Copper Mountain Resort.

The weather was looking quite poor with very low cloud. It wasn't raining yet, but after getting quite wet on Independence Pass the day prior I donned the leg and arm warmers plus shoe covers just in case. 

From town, I rolled down highway 24 to make the short and pleasant climb over Tennessee Pass (10,424 ft) the first of three passes for the day. From the pass it was mostly a fast and flowing descent to Vail other than the short climb over Battle Mountain. 

Just passed the town of Minturn, Highway 24 ended at Interstate 70 just west of Vail. The next 30km are the reason I'd rate as the least enjoyable ride of the trip so far. All the way to the top of the Vail Pass, the paths and smaller roads always ran parallel to the very busy highway only a stones throw away. 

 Finally at the eastern end of what would be a bustling town during ski season, I joined the bike path that would take me to the top of Vail Pass (10,666 ft). This was a great section of hot mix, but as mentioned was either within earshot or even right next to the very busy highway!

The top was only a large highway rest stop and the pass was not signed on the bike path. It was here I encountered a far greater problem; the next section of the bike path to Copper Mountain resort was closed for maintenance!

There were only two options. As it is illegal to ride a bicycle on the Interstate, the first and only legal option was to reverse the loop ridden to this point. This wasn't particularly palpable, as I would have to ride the 85km including back over the longer side of Tennessee Pass on third day on legs. The second option was to take the Interstate and not only risk the heavy traffic but also risk a possible fine. As the 8km section to Copper Mountain was mostly down hill I decided on the later and ran the gauntlet...

As has been this whole trip, cars and trucks have been giving me a very wide berth so traffic didn't end up being an issue. Naturally I didn't want to be fined, so I treated this section as an 8 km time trial and made the Copper Mountain off ramp without incident.The downside of riding at threshold at altitude even if it was only such a short distance was that I was spent! I just now couldn't get the legs firing.

I now only 37km to ride back to Leadville by taking option two. But I still had to ride over Freemont Pass, at 11318 ft the highest pass of the day.  Just to add to my trials, the sun I experienced down in Vail had gone and was replaced with a freezing headwind and also some rain. 

I had found my limits today and it fell well short of the destination. Although I didn't stop once on the way to the pass, it was at an extremely slow pace!

From Freemont pass, much of the last kilometers were down hill so I did finally make it back. 

Exhausted, I ended up laying in the back of the van grazing on anything at hand. It took close to 30 minutes till I gathered my things and went inside for a shower.

Once cleaned up, I took a quick trip to Safeway for pasta and vegies and cooked up a huge meal. It was just what I really needed!

Ride details 133.46km Max elevation 3455m

2024m elevation

Independence Pass 9th September

Independence pass is one the higher passes in Colorado, peaking at 12,095 feet (3687m); over 1000 feet higher than the Grand Mesa yesterday. Like yesterday, I planned to climb both sides.

The guide I have been using suggested the climb started at the entrance to the camp site, but it seemed only fitting to begin my ascent in the town of Aspen. Therefore a quick descent into town was in order before I turned the bike around amongst the designer label shops and made my way uphill. 5.7km later I was where I began and onto the climb proper.

The road followed a beautiful valley, often with the stream within sight as well as within earshot.

After another 6km of climbing was the first of two one lane wide sections as the road was cut from the steep cliff. On the bike it was easy to negotiate and was soon behind me.

The climb was never too steep, which is good as we had started the ride at just under 8,000 feet; already 210 metres higher than our own Mt Kozciusko!

There were no elevation signs by the road. It was only when I  passed the site of the ghost town the pass got its current name I saw my current elevation. A sign listed the towns elevation as 10,830 feet, so I knew I was within metres of my highest altitude gained on yesterday's ride. As the final section of road to the pass became visible across the valley, the light drizzle I'd experienced the last couple of kilometers became solid rain. No concerns about it being too hot today!

Once at the top, a few quick photos; I decided as the rain hadn't also brought the lightning I would continue down the Eastern side of the pass towards Leadville. After the steeper and more technical section was negotiated, the road took a far straighter and less steep line to the very small town of Twin Lakes.

Rather than turn around immediately, I decided to enjoy the sun down in the valley and continued down till the bottom end of the large lakes the town is named after.

Once I turned, it was again a matter of just riding along the gradually ascending road back towards the pass. From this side, the climb is very mild till around 7km to go. Here the road reverted back to a mountain climb with prerequisite hairpins. The extra kilometers at Twin Lakes was a hidden blessing, as the road was wet but I'd just missed the rain.

At the top, a few drops were felt, but I was able to continue on downwards to the van parked near to Aspen without another soaking.

24km later I was down and packed the van for the short drive back over the pass to my next overnight stop - Leadville.

Ride details: distance  139.96km Max elevation 3694m

2512m elevation

Grand Mesa Nth and Sth 8th September

After a restful afternoon and evening on arriving in Colorado, today was to be the first of six days riding in the Mountain state.

First cab off the rank would be both sides of the Grand Mesa -the largest flat topped mountain in the world. Neither ascent is particularly steep, what would be the challenge is the length combined - a grand total of 65km of uphill ascent and topping out at 10,850 feet.

Fortunately the steepest section would be at the bottom of the first climb, so I was just a matter of going through the motions, or so I hoped.

Town of Mesa

It was a relatively short and very scenic drive to the very small town of Mesa from Grand Junction. Mesa was actually 3km into the climb and above the steepest section. So once changed and ready, I descended first minus the second bidon and nutrition to the start. Then on returning to the van, I quickly loaded up and continued on my way. 

Down low

  

The road continued through mostly farmland and some scrub till it reached the small ski resort of Powderhorn. Here we finally entered the first Aspen groves. Frequently great views down to the valley below and hills in the distance were on offer which helped pass the time. 

Again the average gradient for the whole 34km northern ascent was only 5%, so it was just a matter of ticking the legs over and the remaining kilometers down. Once on the Mesa itself the road eased even more in angle as it traveled through pines forests, grassland and numerous lakes; with many people trying their luck with a line in the water either from the shore or in boats.  

The high point was reached though the sign was just a little down the road from the highest point - very odd. After a quick photo I started down to the town of Cedaredge. 

It was quite open scenery, so it wasn't long before much of the descent and town of Cedaredge were visible in the distance.

It was a flowing descent and good, wide surface; a real pleasure to cruise down. Soon enough I arrived at my turnaround point. Other than a supermarket, I was struggling to find somewhere to fill my water bottles and perhaps get a bite to eat. Then a modern looking cafe and print gallery called the Apple Shed caught my eye due to the sign out front saying Espresso! Could it be possible to get a good cup of coffee now in the States? I went in and ordered a short black - unfortunately missed watching the young lass make it as she offered to fill my bidons inside so I went out to get them. Don't think the following is an espresso - definitely didn't taste like one...

 At least I had water again. Ascent number two was now in full sun as it wove initially through low Oaks and then back into the Aspens. I knew what to expect on the shorter and less step side (31km @ 4.4%) as I'd just come down it. The heat fortunately wasn't unbearable, so once again it was just a matter of plugging away. 

 

 

Towards the top I did start to feel the accumulated effects of the altitude and the kilometers climbed. It was a struggle to keep the tempo up over the last few kilometers to the top. Thankfully it came soon enough.

I didn't stop at the elevation sign a second time, instead stopped a little further down for some vista shots an then to don the waterproof as it started to rain. Not too heavy nor too long, just enough to make it chilly. Once lower and closer to Mesa I was able to remove the jacket as the rain had dispersed and was blissfully warm again.

Next stop was Aspen - 170km away. So car loaded and after some small roads hit the Interstate again. Once through Glenwood springs via a Supermarket for supplies, I continued through the very luxurious Aspen and settled for the night just past town at the Nation Forest run campground. Not quite the same stars as the hotels down the road, but perfect for my needs.

Ride details: Distance 132.93km Max elevation 3033m

3187m elevation

Driving to Grand Junction Colorado 6-7th September

On leaving Lone Pine CA, the first stretch led us through Death Valley and the lowest elevation we would see for the trip 200 feet under sea level.

It will also hopefully be the hottest; registering 114 Fahrenheit (45.6 Celsius) on the dash thermometer and felt it on the few times I quickly got out for photos!

There was a 200 feet below sign, but I wasn't going back to take the photo.

Once out of Death Valley, I continued Southeast, through Las Vegas and onto the Interstate heading East. 

Here on the I70 I did get a little melancholy, as the Interstate cuts straight through Virgin River Gorge, the location of a cliff I spent a couple of weeks at during a 6 month US road trip back in 1995 climbing. For those who don't know, rock climbing was my life back in the 90's. Not just a hobby either, that is what I was. Chronic injuries forced me to move on and find substitutes like cycling, but it still is my first love...

Some favourable music located on the vans satellite radio and previously untraveled countryside past St George got me back in the groove and focused on the next coming days riding.

After 8 1/2 hours driving I make it to Salina in Utah, I fill up the tank and decide this is a good location to call it a day and spend the night in the van.  

Glad I slept here, as I enjoyed riding the last 3 hours through the amazing scenery that the road traversed to Grand Junction. Very spectacular!

Onion Valley Road 6th September

John Summerson in his book 'The complete guide to climbing (by bike) in California' suggests Onion Valley road is a contender for the title as the hardest climb in California and one of the hardest in the world. The last 16km of the 21km averages out at 8.3% so regardless the accuracy of the title it would be tough!

With such a fearsome reputation, I was up again before 6am to get ready to ride. Once again the climb was on the western side of the Owen river valley, so it saw the first rays of sun and would heat up quickly.

It was a short drive up the valley to the small town of Independence where the road started. I parked the van in the shade one block up from the highway and once ready rolled back down to Highway 395 to start the climb. Of the 21km of climbing, the first few kilometers would be the only easier ones on the whole ride.

Here the road headed pretty much straight up the barren alluvial fan. It wasn't until over 9km in that the mountain proper was reached and was where the road started to contour and weave its way up the mountainside. 

Unfortunately this did little to reduce the gradient and it continued as a steep grind in the already hot sun.

As elevation was gained, I started to feel a little better and continued punching out a reasonable tempo. Soon enough the hairpins that everyone waxes lyrically as comparing to the European cols appeared. Not sure if I would agree, even though the sweat stinging my eyes did blur my sight and it did at least feel similar.

Lower road and hairpins

Higher hairpins

Knowing the distance to the top and calculating the remaining kilometers was all that was on my mind; I just wanted the pain to end!

Luckily the gradient did relent a fraction and the end came; a small car park still dwarfed by the surrounding peaks.

The descent again was fun, although the ever-present expansion cracks made for a somewhat bumpy ride. Back at the car; due to the early start I was able to get back to the hostel and get in a shower before starting the 1,200km drive to Grand Junction Colorado.