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!