Finished business

We headed up to Breckenridge for the w/e to complete the Gold Dust Trail- last stage of The Breck Epic, 36 miles around 4700ft of climbing. Starts in town and heads out over Baldy towards Boreas Pass, over the pass and down towards Como on a stunner of a trail that ends up winding through an old flume run. Climbs back up over the pass and kicks you out in Breck. The skies looked rather foreboding as we headed out over the pass - second pic, but luckily the bad weather stayed away from us, although the streets of Breck were wet upon our return.

Afternoon storms are become more frequent at the moment- put off a ride at Centennial Cone on Wednesday due to the ominous thunder head. Although got a spin with Ken on Tuesday after work- headed up Logan Mill and dropped in Betaso on a old unused trail. Both Beti and Sunshine are being fixed in the shop at the moment ready for the Five O next weekend. They're suffering from a bit of wear on the shock bushings...

Lazy w/e on the cards - might take Pierre and Ruby for a road ride as they haven't been out much this year and are suffering from a bit of ride envy.

Later, Lynx

back in Colorado

Got back to town and the thought of work got too much, Headed to Poncha springs last week and rode Monarch Crest trail- along the Continental Divide. Goes down as an Epic ride. We got the first shuttle to the pass- you still climb another 3000ft overall. Rode off along the divide before flying back to the start point 30 odd miles away. Hard ride, but good training for the Dakota Five O in a few weeks.









Started work this week and headed to Buff Creek for another day of hard riding. BC offers miles of buff single track about an hour south of town. Goose wanted a long ride so a big Four O today. Have ridden out here a lot in the past and found some new trails today. Good amount of climbing, so on track for the Dakota.
Glad that I didn't do the Leadville 100 again this year. Seems that the weather 'sucked'. Numerous friends finished well behind their time goals, cold and fried. Other downer for the race - Lance dethroned King Dave. Shame on you LA.

Rest of the trip

We headed south from Canada via Waterton NP and headed into Glacier. If you get chance and happen upon this place you should hike the Highline Trail. It's about 13 miles, starts at the Logan visitors center, traverses across the hills to the chalet and then drops out at the road. We

took the side trail up to the view point overlooking the Grinnel Glacier(pic 1). Had been down there September (08) for my birthday and saw nothing- low cloud and drizzle.

Gunned the Jeep towards Missoula for a couple of nights with Jo and RL- even went to a Friday night football . Rode around Rattlesnake Creek

area, several smooth loops, rolling terrain and the

likes. Consumed a good amount of ice cream at Big Dipper- I've never seen a line outside an ice cream parlor at 10.30 at night. Also popped in the Kettle Tap Room to try more of the fine amber stuff. Mighty fine tipple.

We left Missoula and headed to Bozeman. Stopped in Butte, found a sweet little deli, Frontage Road Deli. Then rode Toll Canyon and Beaver Ponds trails (pic 2). The Butte 100 miler just happened to be racing where we had planned to ride- still met a bit of race traffic but nothing too heavy- apart from the legs of a couple of racers. Once again sweet riding along the continental divide trail (CDT)

Arrived in Bozeman and stayed in the Royal 7 motel. Not a bad motel and would stay there again, but... didn't see any Royals. Sunday went off and rode the Bangtails (pic 3) just north of town- local favorite. Climbs to the ridge before rolling along it and dropping back down. Grabbed a bite, dropped Goose at the airport and then started the long drive

back home.

I stopped off in Sheridan for the night, then drove the last leg home Monday.

Another summer been and gone and another monster roadtrip. Drove nearly 3500 miles. Maybe time for a new car.

A couple of things from the trip- stay in places for a longer period of time- we moved from place to place too much. The places we saw- awesome.

Bikes worked really well, although my crank needed pulling after a heinous creak developed. Spend some time sorting out just where and what

you see. American football- still haven't got a bloody clue. Remember to put in poles for awning. The north- great. Canada- a different country! Final pic -Sun setting on our trip.