Salida and on to Breckenridge

From Kenosha we headed south to the town of Salida for the night. Stayed in a cheap motel and ate at the Boathouse. Awesome food - fish skewers followed by tacos. Had originally planned to ride the Monarch crest trail the next day, but opted to ride the lower section on its own. Still an 18 mile ride on the Rainbow trail.

Another classic that rolls along in the forest and pops out every now and again to offer great views of the Sawatch mountains.

Headed up to Breckenridge for a few nights in a condo there. Bit more riding with a few more flowers thrown in for aesthetics. Rode part of the Firecracker 50 course above town.

Drops you in by some of the ruined mines that dot the landscape around town. This is the old Sally Barber mine just outside of town.

Sunday we went for a hike, much to Goose's surprise. I'd much rather ride a bike! Walked up the slopes of the ski resort to the top  of the lift line. Still snow, which will probably make it through the summer now.

Hiked down, after considering riding the lift down. Drive back to town was a reminder of what ski traffic can be like as it took twice as long as it should to get home. One of the down sides of hitting the high country. Think we'll pay the price!

Work now grows ever closer for me. Return Tuesday. Can't complain after a 10 week break!
Lynx

Kenosha Pass

Days of summer are running out quickly. I return to work in only a matter of days so another few days away! The Colorado trail - runs from Denver to Durango, is about 400 miles long and has some stunning sections. We did a section a few weeks back when we camped down near Durango. We decided that we should do a section we'd heard a lot about and passed on numerous occasions on our way south. Kenosha Pass to Georgia Pass, looping back to the start on the Jefferson trail. It's only about 90 mins drive time from our house and the ride is about 25 miles in total.

Weather has been great of late. Storms are still coming in in the arvo, but nothing too much to worry about. Starts with a brisk climb from the parking lot. The altitude is what gets you as you are over 9000ft for the whole ride. Tops out around 11,500ft at Georgia Pass.

The wild flowers continue to impress this year

Climbs up through the forest for a good 10 miles before kicking you out at this high alpine meadow just below Georgia pass. Clouds are started to roll in. The car is parked in the distance. Don't think you can see it 12 miles away below the big grey cloud!

The pass is just half a mile from here. I'd looped over it in the Breck Epic a few years back from the other side.

Quick bit of food taken on before continuing round on the Jefferson trail. Had spoken to a couple of riders on the way up - including national cross country champions Jeremy Hogan Kobelski and his wife Heather Imiger about looping the ride or out and back- most appear to out and back the ride. Not to be put off, we decided to do the loop!

Cuts across the mountain below a huge snow field. Yeap, snow in August. Then plunges into the forest below. This trail does not see as many bikers as the other side as there are loads of fallen tree to carry the bikes over and there are a couple of stream crossings that are interesting, to say the least!

Think that the next time we'll ride this we'll do an out and back. We managed to dodge the storm all day whilst on the bikes. Caught the full force of it once we jumped in the car and headed to Salida. Really great ride for a week day - saw 4 other riders including the said national champs, plus a dude in flip flops and no helmet and a guy doing intervals up there. Weekends see upwards of a couple of hundred riders in fall. There are a lot of aspens that need to change color!

Laramie Enduro

Completed the 111km race last weekend in Laramie, Wyoming. We both raced and are happy with our results as both faster than we'd expected. It's a long course - as you might expect for a 111km (71mile) mountain bike race. Covers all sorts of surfaces and was so hot this year.
You can find out a bit about it here
http://laramieenduro.org/
And you can see a few pictures here.
http://www.actionphotographic.com/
If you click on the Enduro link and then enter our last name in the search box you'll see a couple of pics of us not looking our best!
Only one more mountain bike race left this year. Dakota 50 in September.
later, Lynx

Durango for a few days

Headed down to Durango for a few as have both wanted to go there for a while now. This summer provided the perfect chance as most of our trips have been in state - so why not. Took a while to get  there as it's about 350 miles from ours. In the south west corner of the state. Found a great campsite just out of town, which became our base for 4 days.

Headed down to Phil's world for a ride. Amazing trail system that the locals have built near Cortez- close to Mesa Verde cliff dwellings.

Trails zip through the scrub

And a burn area to the north.

Managed to ride for a couple of hours before returning to the car as the temp had started to edge towards 90. Bit hot to be out.

Opted to ride from the campsite today and headed up towards the Colorado Trail. Starts with a 12 mile road climb, steep part also comes first, after which you get some great views back towards Durango.

Then turns into stunning single track that rolls for miles and miles

Takes in some nice sights too along the way.

Carries on along a creek and eventually kicks you out next to the campsite that we stayed in.

Next day we decided to take a shuttle up above the local ski resort (cut out a 15 mile road ride)so that we could ride the Hermosa Trail. Locally regarded as one of the nicest rides around town. You start of high and then roll back to town. That's what we thought but turns out there is a load of climbing involved in it. Starts with fast double track and soon narrows down to provide some tight technical ridding with a few airy moments!

Bit further down the Hermosa trail

Just before I saw a mountain Lion walking a long the trail. Didn't seem too interested in us. Thank goodness.

After all the fine riding around Durango it was time to head home. Had a very mellow drive through southern Colorado. Here we're just to the west of Wolf Pass. Before heading North through the center of the state.

Top of Wolf pass and another crossing of the Great Divide

Quirky little cafe/gift shop/everything place. Middle of nowhere really.

Had a great few days away. Rode some great trails, saw some great things - Lion (yikes). Ate some great sushi in Durango at Sushitarian. Continue to enjoy the summer in Colorado.