The Colorado Trail Schedule

We've decided on 17 days to ride the Colorado Trail. We're definitely making it a challenge, but we're a bit crunched for time. Luckily, all of the sightseeing will occur on the bike. Here is how we hope it lays out.

Start on July 5th and arrive in Durango on July 21
Day 1 - Top of the World Campground
Day 2 - Kenosha Pass
Day 3 - Frisco
Day 4 - Rest Day
Day 5 - Camp Hale
Day 6 - Leadville
Day 7 - Buena Vista
Day 8 - Rest Day
Day 9 - 12 Lake City
Day 13 - Rest Day
Day 14-17 Durango

The wildflowers should be awesome...

LK

World's Greatest

In keeping up with events and happenings in Eagle County, I just ran across this post on the Vail Valley Foundation's blog. They are getting ready for the Teva Games and shared some awesome footage of one of my favorite trails - World's Greatest. Enjoy!



Here's to sweet singletrack!
LK

One

1+1=50

Huh?

In preparation for the Colorado Trail, Chris and I participated in an endurance race over the weekend. Just to make it challenging, we rode our singlespeeds instead of geared bikes. More of just an event for us, the 'race' was staged at Bear Creek Lake Park, our current home track.

When we arrived at registration on Saturday morning, I was surprised to receive a number plate marked '1'. I believe this honor is normally reserved for the winner of last year's race and I felt like I should have been wearing yellow instead of bright blue. Anyhow, I displayed the number proudly. It certainly represented my entire experience; one speed, alone in my class, and eventually, the winner (just of my class, not the race). In the end I was toast, but thankful that I had finished. I can now mark number 14 of my life list: ride endurance race on singlespeed.

Happy Monday,

LK

The New Project: Bike The Colorado Trail

The wanderlust continues. We've could have gone either way after our global adventure; feel satisfied and go back to way the life was, or keep coming up with new ideas. And yep, you guessed it, we're working on the latter.

Our new project is an ultra-light tour of the Colorado Trail. Chris recently informed me that the gear list is very short and does not include a tent or sleeping bags. Hmmm.

The trail covers 530 miles with 60,000 feet of climbing. I guess it's time to start training camp. We're looking at a July start, so we should have time to get our legs and lungs in shape.

The Colorado Trail starts in Denver and ends in Durango. Elevation ranges from 5,500 feet to a high point of 13,334 feet. A good portion of the trail hovers above 10,000 feet. The trail was completed in 1987 and is a joint project between the Colorado Trail Foundation and USFS.

Stay Tuned...

LK

Do What You Love, the Money Will Follow

I haven't actually read the book (authored by Marsha Sinetar)- the title just rings in my head from time to time. Since we've returned home from our adventure, it rings a little louder.

Our new path is starting to come together. I've got a few projects going (maps and writing) and Chris is awaiting is test results for teacher certification. We're still learning how to be patient, but know that life takes time and we just need to see how it undfolds.

Last week Chris joined me on my singletrack business trip. I had to pinch myself a few times when I realized that I was actually working. The riding in Arizona was spectacular and I had my fair share of "geeked-out" moments. I'm really excited about this particular project because I get to combine two of my favorite things; bicycles and maps.

Here's to coloring our parachutes,

LK

Monday, Monday

We're back from the desert after making a one day push from Flagstaff, AZ. Stay tuned for the details about the singletrack business trip.

Black Canyon Trail

03/10/09
26.4 miles
4:30 minutes

We arrived in AZ yesterday under cloudy skies, and winds trying to blow us off the road. The tent site we scored at the KOA in Rock Springs was out of the wind and close to the bathrooms. SCORE! Our camping location was perfect since it is located only 5 minutes from the trailhead for the Black Canyon Trail. The trail is relatively new and currently has only 20 miles of the projected 60 miles built. I think that they could stop at 20, give themselves a pat on the back and enjoy the fruits of their labor. The trail is a tight, twisty singletrack that only interrupts itself for the occasional crossing of the Agua Fria River. The river wasn’t too cold, but it did provide us with some wrinkled feet once our shoes finally came off. We rode a southern section of the trail as an out and back. And enjoyed every minute of it. We managed to burn through a gallon of water each with each of us taking our last sips as we arrived back at home base. I even had a rear flat that was a slow enough leaker I was able to make it back to the KOA and change it in the shade. The only mishap we had today was our lack of sunscreen and the resulting farmer burns on our arms. Tomorrow we go and ride a ten mile section of the northern route and will probably reach the end of the road for current trail construction. They tacked on a 1000 feet last Saturday, so we may have first tread on the new part. Doubtful, but we shall see.
Evidently there is a Café in town here famous for its pies. I will do my duty and give a full report on those at a later date.
CK

Road Trip!

A Road Trip? It's all part of the job. Man, it's great to be back on the road. Stay tuned...

Is it Really Winter?

Sun and singletrack...in February.

Explore Your National Parks...by Bicycle

Check out this video from IMBA (International Mountain Bicycling Association). It speaks to the great opportunity we have to support mountain biking in the National Park System. Enjoy! LK