Crank Yankin, Eddyline Feastin, Hot Springin - Monarch Crest Trail

Qualifier: Monarch Crest - IMBA EPIC

Qualifier: Monarch Crest - IMBA EPIC

We've had the Monarch Crest Trail on our todo list for awhile now...  As should everyone its that rad!  A few suggestions for after the MC trail and your epic ride will end perfectly!

  1. Eddyline Brewery in Buena Vista, CO
  2. Cottonwood Hot Springs in Buena Vista, CO

Date: Sept 29, 2012

Riders: Drew, Graham, Kristin and Me

Mileage: 32 miles

Elevation Gain: 2800' with 6500' of Downhill Bliss

Average Pace: 10 min/mile

Total time includes breaks: 5 hours 15 mins

Trail description: Its the Monarch Crest Trail - no description needed its perfect!  Get Out and Ride It!  

PURE BLISS - 32 miles of one of our nations top MTN Bike Rides

Elevation with corresponding speed profile - topped her out at 42 mph on hw 285 back to Poncha Springs :)

Like always click on pics to see better resolution

Photo caption ContributionsIf your feeling clever therefore would like to re-caption any of the photos,  leave a comment on the post.  I will then re-caption the photo followed by your name.

K - Crank Yanking at 12800'

The only steady climb on the crest, below Chipeta Mtn and Mt. Ouray wth Pahlone Peak in the background

Drew - Clown Wheelin on that there 29er

Brothers looking for Oxygen at 12000'

Who Drowned my Trail

CD trail meets COT

Graham - Gettin his creek time

The "Epics" Begin - 7 Summits - Rossland, BC

Qualifier: Seven Summits IMBA EPIC

Qualifier: Seven Summits IMBA EPIC

The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) each year publishes an Epic Rides list.

The 2010 Epic Rides List included Seven Summits, Rossland British Columbia.  A quick perusal of the Epics list last fall resulted in a weekend venture to our neighbors up north.  The Seven Summits Trail of Rossland, British Columbia.  This 35.8km trail, ok ok I know darn kilometers, but I thought I'd stick with the Canadian theme here.  So the 22.25 mile trail tackles rolling singletrack with beautiful mountain vistas, some steep ascents and thrilling descents. The trail follows ridgelines, affording views of the Columbia River Valley and the Southern Selkirk Mountains, and challengesriders with technical sub-alpine terrain.

Trail Logistics:

The Seven Summits trail is designed to be ridden in a North – South direction, and to link with the Dewdney trail. Leave a vehicle at the bottom of the Dewdney trail on Hwy 22, near the US Border in Paterson (12 km South of          Rossland) and arrange a 30km shuttle to Nancy Greene Pass. The trail begins immediately behind the trailhead                  kiosk at the Pass.

K scoping out the trail overview map at the trailhead kiosk

our GPS tracks

just another view

One of the summits in route

Looking back at the trails highpoint

Scree is not the best media for biking