Day 4/5 - Crested Butte

A few post-ride and rest day shots from Crested Butte. The perfect place for a day off the bike. Some folks went for a ride, some folks rode the ski lift, some folks went white water rafting. We drank a bunch of coffee and rested. Coffee!

Post ride appetizer. Stash wings.

Post ride pizza. Philly Pete's Zaaa. Philly Cheese Steak pizza. SO GOOD.

The late afternoon view from Elk Avenue.

Mr iPhone at the coffee shop.

The view from the coffee shop.

A good place to have a few pints with the locals. And a good lunch burger to boot.

Breakfast at McGill's. I didn't get a chance to take a picture of the caprese omlette. It was gone too quickly.

Fun sculpture of Knight and Dragon.

Day 4 - Montrose to Crested Butte

After the into-the-wind trudge into Montrose on Tuesday, I was really looking forward to Wednesday. We had 92 miles on the docket to ride up to Crested Butte. I’d never been to the old mining town, but had heard and read wonderful things about how chill it was. We rolled out around 6 to cool clear weather and within a mile or two were smacked once again with a couple of harsh realities. First, we were back on US-50, which we’d been on since Grand Junction. Busy road. Second, the headwind pouring down from Cerro Summit was strong. We had been warned this might happen.

Around mile 5, Arron floated up the road and I let him know my legs weren’t ready to go. I settled into a reasonably comfortable rythym and started passing/getting passed by riders before the uptick in grade to Cerro.Summit. I could see Arron in the bright yellow/red 2007 RAIN jersey. He was ~50 yards ahead, then ~100, back to ~50, and then ~200. I was thinking he might be gone all day, which was no problem.

The road steepened for about 4 miles to Cerro Summit. For most of that there was a slow lane, so cars/trucks were passing with relative ease on the left. I tried to find someone with a pace I could follow, which took a little while. Soon a couple in matching BTC jerseys passed and I latched on to their wheel. The man took off leaving me to trade pulls with the lady to the top of the climb. Somewhere along the way we passed Arron. It was like the rides in Wisconsin where my legs don’t accelerate at the bottom of a steep hill, but finding a good cadence will have me passing people who passed me earlier before we hit the summit. At the top my average speed on the day was 9.6 mph.

The descent off of Cerro Summit was fast and fun. The first aid station was at the bottom. I met back up with Arron there and we continued on the rest of the day together. The second big climb of the day was up Red Mesa. It was less windy than Cerro, but there was no right hand slow lane, so we had to go single file and pass slower riders with care. I think this went up higher than Cerro Summit, but I’d have to check.
Another great downhill took us into the amazing landscape of bluffs and canyons along the Gunnison River. We passed by entrances to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, too. The second aid station was along a huge reservoir in the river.

The section of US-50 to Gunnison followed the river and felt relatively fast, even as we were steadily gaining altitude. We turned north at Gunnison and were finally done with US-50. We kept alongside the river passing through Almont. After a final aid station we did a short climb. Around the top of the climb we caught sight of a lone peak and a woman we passed let us know it was Mount Crested Butte. Excellent. With our destination growing on the horizon, we slowly made our way up the road to the town of Crested Butte and our day off the bike. More on Crested Butte in a separate entry.

BTC Day 4 Montrose to Crested Butte

BTC Day 4, Montrose to Crested Butte, 93 miles


On paper this didn't look to be too tough of a day. Cerro Summit at 7,950 feet and Blue Mesa Summit at 8,704 feet were less then the first two days and no where near the last two 12K summits. Like the games of sport, the day was not played out on paper.

We rolled out into a nasty headwind on a route that went up hill the first 15 miles. Nothing like 1700 plus riders riding along at 12 mph or less. I found a decent tempo early and attempted to maintain it to the top of the first climb.

I said I tried, but did not, or could not keep a steady pace. Halfway up that first climb I started to suffer. The legs were heavy and turning the pedals wwere a real chore.

Tim dropped back a bit stating he just wasn't feeling it yet. It didn't take him long to "feel it." In classic Tim fashion he blew past me midway up Cerro and reached the top first. He was focused and motivated as he glided past......

The two climbs didn't have amazing summits, but the views on the way up and down were fantastic. They provided some longer switchbacks that this Midwest Flatlander loves. They give you instant feedback, well as instant as something can be at 10 mph, when you can look back and see where you came from. Not to mention the long line of riders still trudging up the climb.

The payoff for today was Crested Butt and an OFF DAY. I know Tim will cover that well and leave it to him. We had a great time in CB for sure.






those switchbacks.





Tim wait for me!!!!

Lake Views

Rest Stop







Tim pulling us to Mt Crested Butte.




Yeah for Rest Days

Day 3. Grand Junction to Montrose.

A.K.A., the journey to find the Colorado National Monument option and the death march.

I think Tim will do a better job of documenting the fun of day 3. I did not take many pictures and I did not retain many thoughts from this day. It was odd.

The BTC did NOT have the optional route through the park marked when we departed. It took us two hours to find the park. When we got on track we rolled up on an accident, 87 Bronco versus BTC Cyclist. It did not look good, but we did not stop as there was already a large crowd and plenty of assistance.

We stopped at the entrance to the park loop for a couple pictures and removal of arm warmers. I just didn't feel it. I was already mentally tired, still physically tired, and not ready to climb.

These feelings lasted a couple miles. Then we started to climb up to a section of switchbacks. Despite the heavy traffic, due to us entering the wrong entrance due to the BTC dropping the ball on the route markings, this section was awesome. As we climbed up the road we could look back and down at where we had just come from.

Tim was clearly loving this. He was once again zooming up and down the climbs taking numerous pictures. He looked fresh and energized as we climbed the 8% grade and almost 4000 feet of climbing the 40 mile loop had to offer.

Since this was a loop the first 20 miles were climbing and the second 20 descending. The descent was a little tricky due to road construction and traffic, but not extremely technical. We rolled out of the park and all I could think was; "How the heck could this be optional!!" The Colorado National Monument was AMAZING!

Immediately out of the park and we were into the wind with just the two of us. It was slightly uphill as we headed back to where we started, Grand Junction. The rest of the day would be Highway Miles. I was begging for the first Rest Stop and wondering why oh why were the miles ticking off so slowly....

It was. At the first stop we discovered that numerous riders went in numerous directions this morning looking for the Colorado National Monument loop. Some had an extra 25 miles already in their legs. Tim and I had 12 or so. Not a big deal right? Did I mention it was hot? There was a headwind? And we were traveling the next 60 miles along one single highway?

Let's pick up the pace here. At mile 85 I wanted to stop. I wanted to SAG wagon it. I saw no point to continue along the highway into the headwind. Did I mention it was 100 degrees out? There was no scenery to be seen. The rest of this day could only hurt. It had no benefit, but plenty of risk (mentally & physically).

Out of character, I sorta mentioned these thoughts to Tim. I pointed out that numerous strong riders were and had called it a day. We had 85 miles and 6000 feet of climbing. No shame in that.

"No. I have all day to finish." End of that.

Eventually we finished this 112 mile journey. A journey of two separate rides. The good and the bad. Part of the reason I ride is for the challenge. This day was an mental and physical challenge to the extreme. Looking back, I am glad we rode on, but initially I was pissed. A massage and dinner at DQ helped me get over it.

Well, I guess I had more to say about this day then I thought. Time for photographic evidence.

Day 3 - Grand Junction to Montrose (with C.N.M. loop)

Long post ahead… lots of pictures following the wordy words…

The third day of BTC was like three days in one. Knowing we had almost 100 miles slated, Arron and I rolled out at 5:45 to get a jump on the optional loop through Colorado National Monument. With clear skies we hit the streets of Grand Junction following the trusty bright orange BTC road markings.

Something didn’t seem right to me, as we were heading away from the Colorado River and back onto the road we came into town on day two. We’re rolling along D Road (I think that’s the name of the road) and there is no way this is the right direction. At a turn we see another rider stopped and looking at a map. We stop and consult with him and it turns out we are on the route to Montrose. Well dang.

So we hop on this rider’s wheel (he’s a fast one with deep dish Edge aero wheels) and four miles later are in downtown GJ once again. We see fresh paint at a corner with “CNM” on it. Hey, look, they marked the loop route! Gee, thanks! Okay, this feels more like it. We’re riding toward the river and the Monument when we see a few riders ahead making a left turn. Being sheep, we follow them into the left lane. Another mistake. Those people are going to Burger King (mmmm….Croissanwich!), so we pass right by them and find ourselves crossing the river (good, right?) and on US-50. This is not right. We stop again, consult a CNM map (which we are not on at this time), then consult Arron’s handy iPhone map application. Yep, we’re on the wrong course.

So once again we cross the river and head back into Grand Junction to find the route. If I’d have looked a bit closer, I could have steered onto a riverside parkway that would have chopped off a mile or so, but at that point I think we just wanted to be where the route markings would be. Wishful thinking.

Twelve total miles later and one hour gone finally get back where the riders are heading out to the Monument. Across the Colorado River (again) and up to the East Entrance of the Monument where there is no one at the gate house to take our $4 or check that our bikes are fully equipped with headlights and tail lights. We’ve been warned that jackbooted patrols would be out validating operational front/rear visual devices on each bike, so I think we were a bit stunned when they did not emerge.

The ride up the eastern side of the park was excellent. Sunny skies and a twisting road up a canyon along the Serpent’s Tail trail, past Devil’s Kitchen and the Dog’s Tooth. After ~1,500 of climbing we were up on the rim. The views were spectacular and I’m sure I was driving Arron nuts with how many times I was stopping to take pictures. It was worth it. Riding along the canyon rim was fantastic. Views down the deep walls, over the wide flat river valley and across to the Grand Mesa did not disappoint. Any rider who skipped the optional loop (and there were plenty of them) truly missed out on a great ride.

After a while on the rim road we started to see riders pass us going the opposite direction and we once again questioned our navigational skills. Were these riders turning around at some point? We stopped right around half way through the loop to assess the situation and discovered that we were supposed to have ridden to the western entrance at Fruita. We had no indication of this from our maps, the road markings, or otherwise, so we kept on going toward the west. It was all downhill and a thrilling ride given the views. After the final switchbacks we found ourselves at the western gate. We paid our $4 there and the park ranger completely ignored the fully operational lights affixed to our bikes.

Then the day got hard. We were around 40 miles into the ride and had to wind our way down Colorado 340 back to Grand Junction, across the Colorado River (fourth time), through town, cross the Colorado River (fifth time in one morning!), and then onto US-50 (where we had stopped earlier to get our bearings). We’re now at mile 52 or so on the day and the sun is now beating down.

Ahh, US-50. How I love thee. I can’t begin to explain what a pleasure the next 60 miles would be like from G.J. to Montrose. Hot, dusty, headwind, heavy traffic. Ugh. While there was some scenery to be had, it was always on the distant horizon. The one ‘climb’ up to the second aid station wasn’t much. The road kept going and going. The wind kept picking up speed.

At the final aid station I heard Arron say something I’d never think to hear him say. He said he wouldn’t be opposed to hopping in a SAG wagon, since we’d already ridden 84 miles that day. I knew where he was coming from and with the temperature measuring 111 degrees on my cyclometer, I was momentarily tempted. But I threw my stock answer back to him: “I’ve got all day to ride the last 25 miles.” So on we went into the teeth of US-50. Past the town of Delta. Watching the miles imperceptibly tick away.

Off in the distance the weather looked like it could be a bit tricky. A dark cloud was passing to the south near Montrose. We weren’t hit with rain, but the front seemed to push the wind into our faces even stronger. With about 5 miles to go, Arron steamed ahead and my mph dropped. I was in my lowest gear rolling along at 7 mph. It was like the 2007 Sudden Century, but without the Will County scenery. For a mile or two I chatted with a guy in a Michigan jersey. Then the Montrose sign appeared. And then there were convenience stores on the left side of the road.

I kept glancing backwards to see if an opportunity to cut across the busy highway would present itself so I could get to one of the gas stations. I was craving chocolate milk. But traffic picked up and I didn’t want to stop to wait for a crossing. Nothing was on the right and it took me a mile or two to figure out why: train tracks running parallel to the highway. Dang. At mile 110 of this grueling day I saw a vision on the right side of the road. There was a Burger King. My mind immediately started thinking Large Chocolate Shake.

There were several bikes leaning against the BK, so I dropped in for the shake. I ended up with a Whopper and fries, to boot. Holy cow, were they tasty! An older gentleman from England (via Connecticut) sat down at my table. He was taking one final break on the route, as well. He had ridden only the G.J. to Montrose part of the ride, but said it had taken him the better part of the day to do so. Good on him for sticking it out.
Chocolate shake in hand, I rode the final mile to the high school in Montrose and pretty much just vegged out in our hallway digs for the night. Day four’s ride to Crested Butte was looming and the prospect of actual mountains to climb was giving me hope after the long slog from G.J.

Bunch o’ pictures from the C.N.M. loop. The camera stayed tucked away for the US-50 portion of the day.

Finally into the Monument.

Click on the map to see just how twisty the road is.

Not sure who these guys are. They got in my shot.

Getting started up the eastern climb.

A perfect morning to climb.

We were down there just a bit ago.

Arron makes his way up.

Blurry, but cool how road slices through the landscape.

Beautiful blue skies with unthreatening clouds.

Hey, there's a tunnel!

Arron had to find batteries for his Knog for this??

Getting near the top.

The serpentine road we just came up.

Looking back past Grand Junction to Grand Mesa.

Breaking for photo ops.

Narcissism.

Canyon views from the rim.

The road did get near the edge at times.

Arron's in this shot. See if you can find him.

Ditto this one. Check out that drop!

At the western gate (where we should have entered).