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.