Tuesday morning we rose and were on the bikes by 8:30am; a much quicker rallying of the troops than yesterday when we had kit to dry. With big smiles and full bellies, we again started our day descending through the trees and along the single-track. Ya ya, I know, life is hard out here.
Exiting the trees and riding a dirt road, we found ourselves in Como; more a collection of ramshackle buildings and rusted-out cars than it is a town. Climbing a locked gate to continue along that dirt road, we would spend the next thirty minutes or so criss-crossing ranch land, hopping barbed-wire fences and laughing at the adventure of bike-packing. Mildly inconvenienced, we threw our bikes and bodies over another locked gate and started to ride the road. That piece of black-top would take us up over pass number five; Red Hill Pass, elevation 9,993′ and down to the town of Fairplay, more famously known as South Park.
We pulled into the local recreation centre for water. Not just a pool and gym, but a BMX race-track and a concrete skate-park! At about 9,950′, Fairplay was the lowest elevation we’d enjoy for the next several hours.
Leading out of Fairplay there’s a great bike path paralleling the main road which we rode for about thirty minutes. Turning onto a dirt-road, we continued on to Park City, elevation 10,485.’ That’s when the climbing really began.
A relatively smooth dirt road[not really smooth but maybe less bumpy than others], we climbed that 2-4% grade for a few miles. We all felt good, enjoying those early gains. Arriving at a turn in the road we stopped for snacks and a look at the map. From that spot the road made a right and continued on for about 50 yards. Then it did a full switch-back and BANG!, the road became burly 4X4 road that was quite steep and very rocky. We were walking, no question. In one turn we went from riding with smiles to sullen hike-a-biking. Or at least, maybe it was just me who was sullen. During this trip I’ve found that I’m a bit slow on those hiking sections. I just plod along, really not happy to be pushing my bicycle. Although, to be honest, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
We’d walk passed water pouring out from the rocks, the snowy source just a few hundred yards away. The roads were really rugged, really demanding. Though, we did get many chances to get back on the saddle. The views were stunning, truly awesome. I’ve been above the tree-line many times but to be nearly 2,000′ above the trees, to see nothing but rock before you, that really is something special.
We worked hard to get up that mountain, sometimes on the saddle, sometimes on foot. At times I’d stop, look up to see where my friends where at. They’d be moving forward, ’round another corner that may or may not deliver us the summit. Then I’d turn my head and look at where I’d ridden. Vast, barren, bleak, powerful, silencing. For perhaps a moment you get a sense of pride for what you’ve accomplished; but it’s quickly erased by the size and scope and age and power of the land around you. Small though I felt, there was such a feeling of attachment, of being a part of something bigger than myself; bigger than home or family or friends or job or house. A part of the living truth of existence that is all around us and of which we are an essential part.
At 13,185feet, we reached the highest point I’ve ever ridden my bicycle. With pictures snapped, legs stretched and fruit devoured, we all knew what time it was; down hill time!! Dry, bumpy, loose, kinda steep 4X4 roads that forced us to really pay attention, to exist in the moment and ride for now. Don’t think, just ride. Don’t think, just ride.
Suffering may be the dominant feature of existence but pleasure like this makes it SO worth while. Really, if you’re a cyclist, you know what I mean. It hurts, it’s painful, sometimes there’s blood. I’ve yelled in anger, cursed with disappointment, screamed in agonizing pain and even thrown my bike in blinding frustration. I’ve also screamed in glee, roared with pleasure and even cried as my soul swelled with the most tremendous sense of achievement. And you know what, it’s both the pain AND the pleasure of being a cyclist that bring me closest to understanding what it is to human, what it is to exist, what life’s all about.
[Garmin device’s battery died about 30mins into the ride, so no data for day three]
 |
| Riding through ranch land near Como, trying to find our trail |
 |
| Riding through Park City towards Mosquito Pass |
 |
| Do I really need to say anything about this? |
 |
| Reilly and Kimberly just before the climbing starts for real. |
 |
| Isabelle takin’ a break before the climbing gets serious. |
 |
| Spring run-off everywhere; the water tasted SO good. |
 |
| Just a little lake at about 12,700′ |
 |
| After about 2 & 3/4 hours of climbing, we get paid with views like this. |
 |
| 13,185′ |
 |
| The posse about to descend Mosquito Pass. |
 |
| Riding through mining territory on the way back to Leadville. |
Also, the longer that you put the pill inside your mouth the liquid content order viagra india inside it becomes a part of you by getting mixed with your blood. These grow taller supplements cialis on line greyandgrey.com increase your height safely and naturally by using such pure ingredients as spirulina, amla and neem extract powders and antioxidants. Learn http://greyandgrey.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Civilians-a-New-Wrinkle-in-Ground-Zero-Claims-NY-Post-May-2007.pdf buy viagra online more effective points to have a hemorrhagic stroke. This medicine is prepared with such elements that gently blend in the blood and store it viagra prescription free in the liver and muscles.
 |
| Smooth sailing all the way back home. |
 |
| 3 days, 2 nights 6 passes; about 110miles and over 14, 000′ of climbing. One happy boy! |
