Doctor Park or should I say Orgasmatron?

I must have succumb to the altitude, or have final reached an understanding of how folks in Crested Butte can say that climbing 13 miles for 9 miles of downhill is 'fun'.  Today, I rode the second recommendation from the guys at Big Al's.  Specifically, I wanted something more technical than Trail 401 or 403, and was told that Doctor Park with the Matchless add-on should do the trick.

Doctor Park is over 22 miles long, which doesn't sound bad on the surface.  The kicker is that to get to the primo downhill, you have to climb roughly 3,100ft over the course of the first 13miles.  Think about it this way: this is a 5% grade for 13 miles!  Today my lungs were in rare form, and my legs forced a lunch break around 11 miles.

However, once you crest out at 10,978ft, and are looking at the trails going through the forest, all is forgiven.  I would have to say that if Monarch Crest was a spiritual experience that Doctor Park was orgasmic.  On par with Porcupine Rim if that helps put it in perspective.  Flying through the Dark Forest for miles on end without interruption puts you in a different world.  Just flowing with the trail with a grin from ear-to-ear.  The final few miles are technical with loose dirt, rocky downhills and some scary switchbacks.  Just added icing to the cake.

This was the last ride I will be doing in Crested Butte, and have to say that it was second only to Monarch Crest.  What a way to end this segment of the trip!

I have made a short over exposed video that hopefully captures the fun that was being had.  Additionally, there is a longer version (21 minutes long) for those who find 9 miles of flying through forests and loose dirt fascinating.

The Doctor Park Downhill

Bye-Bye CB!

Recovery riding around Strand Hill

Slept in this morning, and checked everything to make sure I was in working order after yesterday's ride.  Aside from some stiffness and a bit of tenderness in the saddle area was good to go.  So, I headed down to Big Al's bike shop to get some ride ideas for the next two days.

The suggestion for doing a 'recovery' ride today was to head over to Upper Upper loop and Strand Hill.  Upper Upper has a gradual climb for a few miles, and then leads down to the Strand Hill trails.  This too has a gentle climb (taking the somewhat secret Strand Hill Bonus trail) until you reach the final stretch to get to the crest.

I learned today that when someone in Crested Butte says, "ahh, it just a bit of good climbing...nothing more than 1/2 a mile or so."  They are lying!  These folks are use to having to climb a few thousand feet straight up to get to any trail, and their perception of an easy (or good) climb equates to me puking up a lung and stopping every mile to carb load.

Aside from the 'good' climbing, the ride was just what I needed to stretch the legs, and not do anything over taxing.  The trails were fast, flowly single and double track along with some great views.  After this week, it will be hard to not seek out some speedy downhills back home.

Enjoy the short, over exposed, video.

Another epic ride today - Monarch Crest

Today, I took on the Monarch Crest Trail, rated #7 in the world.  Yesterday, I used the term epic to describe Trail 401, but, in my defense, so do most.  There is simply no comparison between the two,  Monarch is truly an majestic and epic ride that is at the brink of being a spiritual experience.

A group of us shuttled up to the Monarch Crest ski lodge, at roughly 11,200ft elevation.  We signed the book, and were off to enjoy what we thought would be over 6,000ft of downhill bliss.

The trail starts off with a gentle roll for the first mile, and rips out your lungs for the next two miles as you climb to the crest at 11,976ft.  At this elevation you can encounter [slight] oxygen deprivation just standing, and here I was trying to peddling a 30lbs bike up rocky single track.  My lungs officially signed the donor paper work to be immediately transferred.

The fool hardy thing that all of use noobs had thought was after the crest the next 30 or so miles would be a bombing downhill free for all.  We were surprised that the trail is actually a generous mix of downhill and uphills with over 2,200ft of climbing to do through out the ride.  There is nearly every type of terrain and obstacle:  flowing downhills, technical climbing, rocks (boulders to babyheads to loose shale), roots, technical drops/shoots, stream crossings, mud, leaves, hard pack to lose dirt, trees, and oh-so much more.  I simply can't do this trail justice with any description that I might blog here.  This trail is simply majestic in every sense.

This was by far the furthest I have ever ridden, and took almost 5 hours to ride the full 35 miles.  There were cliff bar and a lunch break on the mountain included in that.

I have to thank Greg, who couldn't make it out to join me, for suggesting this trail as it wasn't originally on my radar.  This ride alone was worth the trip.


Tomorrow, I have no clue if my lungs, legs, wrists, shoulders and back will allow me to get out of bed, and will have to see what is in store.

Lastly, I have provided a short video compilation of the ride below.  However, there is some bad news that goes along with it.  The video quality is no better than the one shot yesterday, and, after taking with tech support, they have concluded that the light sensor is bad.  The unit has to be sent replaced.  So...the rest of the trip videos won't be getting any better.  Hope you can still enjoy them.

Riding the epic Trail 401

Day 1 started with a simple ride on Trail 401 (#2 rated trail in the world).  Heck, thought it would help acclimate my lungs, and at only 15 miles, how hard could it be?

Things started off easy enough with a 4 mile gradual climb up maintained dirt road.  Was easy enough to strike up conversation with two great guys from Denver, Jason and Jeff, and we ended up doing the whole ride together.  We hit the single track, and had another 800 ft to climb over a mile.  At 10,600 ft, another 800ft elevation gain is like getting the wind knocked out of you, and then having an elephant on your chest while trying to catch you breath.  Not acclimated, and not fun...

Only through perseverance, mocking, and sense of sadism was I able to make the crest of the trail at 11,349ft.  Thank the universe that there was only minimal climbing after this effort as my lungs were officially on strike.

After the climb you are rewarded with 9 miles of downhill single track that virtually has every terrain type (sans desert).  Incredibly fast, flowly tracks cut into the mountain side lead to the numerous forest excursions.  Throw in that you are in grandiose scenery, and I can see why this trail is held in such high regards.  It was truly an epic ride.

I do have to throw a special thanks to Jason and Jeff.  They shuttled me back to my truck, and saved three miles of climbing on my lungs.  Thanks guys, and still owe you a beer while you are in CB.

The following video is small compilation of the trail, and hope you enjoy.  Yes, the quality is crappy as I learned too late that you should shoot a test video before heading out to make sure that the exposure and such are set correctly.  Promise that it will improve for the next ride tomorrow.

 

or see the video at Vimeo (better quality than YouTube): http://vimeo.com/15347697 

Crested Butte, the arrival...

After 12 hours of scenic driving, have made it to Mt. Crested Butte.  Not many exciting cities or touristy traps to visit; just the petrified forest which looked less exciting then it sounded.

Grabbing a pizza from Brick Oven Pizza to cover a few nights of dinner.  :)  Ordered the Pyree as the bartender said it was Wein's favorite.  The ingredients consist of: pineapple, chicken, red onion, roasted red pepper, broccoli, basil and pesto.  I tend to believe that this is the tourist/sucker trick they play on most of us biking cretins.

None-the-less, the pizza is damn good!  Broccoli and pineapple,whoda thunk?  Thumbs up for the Brick Oven.

Mancation 5.5 is underway

The day has finally come for the sabbatical biking adventures to being.  Even the truck was ready to get it 'on'.