Colorado Trail: Molas Pass -> Durango MTB

I've been looking forward to my Colorado trip all summer; particularly riding the Colorado Trail from Molas Pass to Durango. The plan was for Jordan and I to meet Lindsay on the way through Gunnison. Then we would stash our camping gear in the middle of the ride at Hotel Draw before driving back to Molas Pass to start the two day ride. Each day would be a 65 km alpine ride with 1,500 meters of climbing.

The trip certainly didn't get off to the smoothest start. On Saturday Erik picked the Wattage Cottage (my bike) and I up at the airport in Denver, but the bike box would only fit in the bottom of his hatchback. So, we unpacked, then repacked all his camping and biking gear at the airport. I'm not sure that the can of white gas and various sharp camping tools were appreciated by TSA, but it is a loading zone after all.

Soon we were in the parking lot at Buff Creek assembling my bike. The bike did not escape the trip unscathed: missing brake pad, bent derailleur hanger, missing brake lever pin, and a bubble in the brake line. Also, my suspension was still spewing oil and air from the two unsuccessful services by the bike shop. Erik's rear hub was dying too.

Headed out from Molas Pass on Day 1.

After disassembling my multi-tool and reassembling it as part of my brake lever, Erik and I hobbled onto the trails.

Lindsay somewhere between Molas Pass and Hotel Draw.

Johnson Pass MTB - 9.8.2013

As we all know, I'm not a morning person. Last Sunday was a typical morning for me: I slept in, saw that it was raining, and immediately decided that it was going to be a horrible day. Around 9:30 I thought I might as well check the forecast, discovering that it was supposed to be quite nice in the afternoon. I figured I'd get some chores done and head out for a short afternoon ride. Around noon I realized I should take advantage of the good weather and get out for a longer ride.

It was a bit late to look for adventure buddies or a car shuttle, but, regardless, by 2 PM I was at the trailhead with 40 km of singletrack followed by a 50 km return on the road ahead of me. I always struggle with getting intimidated by long rides; with the prospect of bears, bad weather, and sunset this was no exception.

The first bit of the ride through forests and meadows was flat, mellow, and fast. Looking back northwest towards the trailhead:


The trail crosses several beautiful glacial streams as it slowly gains elevation towards the Pass. Bench Creek:


Endless deserted singletrack: