can I get to estes park?

On the fifth day......we get to rest. CRMBT has stopped in Estes Park a couple times. Once in 2010 when we did this route in the other direction, starting in Edwards, we also had a rest day here. And in 2013, when we started in Loveland, we spent the first night here. Both years I was challenged on the way to Estes Park.

In 2010 we rode up the Peak-to-Peak Highway from Golden, challenged by some steep rollers, but enjoying a beautiful Colorado morning. The challenges were enough to make me want to stop in Nederland for an early lunch 30 miles into the 74 mile ride. While lunch at Katmandu Restaurant was delicious, I would regret the time I lost later. The beautiful morning turned into a wonderful afternoon. Temperatures were cool but comfortable.

Then a few clouds moved in, but the day was still pleasant. Over the next couple hours the clouds grew darker, the temps cooler, and it became more and more obvious that the light jacket I had in my pocket was not enough to keep me warm or dry. What started as a light rain became a downpour, and when the temperatures tumbled into the 30's, being on the road, on a bike, became miserable. It couldn't get any worse. Then it did. It began to hail. I would say that "golf ball" sized hail would not be an exaggeration, "quarter sized" is a certainty. I spotted a group of cyclists that had pulled off the road to take shelter under the canopy on a porch of a closed business. The hail was hard enough that cars were pulling off the road as we huddled together for warmth. My ride ended 16 miles outside of Estes Park that day.

The SAG van and some volunteers with bike racks shuttled back and forth from town to get us all in to Estes Park where a warm shower and dry sleeping bag awaited me. The rest of the evening and all the next day were gorgeous, and by the time we left I had been able to explore quite a bit of this place.

In 2013 we rode from Loveland to Estes Park and it was a short, hot day that still managed to kick me in the butt just a little. As we neared the high point for the day the heat, altitude, and maybe a little dehydration combined to make me dizzy and nauseous. One of the mechanics stopped to check on me as I stood on the side of the road. He gave me some powdered Gatorade and had me sit in the shade for a few minutes. That was enough to get me back on the bike for a push through the last few switchbacks and descent into town.

So I know it will be a challenge to get to Estes Park. But I will get there, and I'll have a rest day to look forward to in a great Colorado mountain town.

trail ridge road

Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in America. It spans Rocky Mountain National Park from Grand Lake in the west, to Estes Park in the east, a 48 mile journey through the park. It's highest point is 12,183 feet, but even more amazing is that it remains above treeline (near 11,550') for 11 miles!

We'll be heading north form Grand Lake  on our way to a rest day in Estes Park. I will want to leave early to be able to stop for lots of pictures.

If you've never been to RMNP, you should go if you get the chance. A drive on Trail Ridge Road would be a memorable experience. And if you get to experience it on a bike, it will be a day you'll never forget!

gore pass

On the third day of this year's CRMBT the only pass to climb is Gore Pass, 9524'. The climb from the west side is only about 5 miles long, gaining about 700 feet. But to get to that point we'll need to get over a couple summits, climbing for about 10 miles each, not too steep, gaining about 1300' and 1800', respectively. The good news on this century day is that those climbs are early in the day. We did this route in reverse in 2010 and hitting those climbs from the other side 75 or 80 miles into the ride was brutal.

This year, once we've gone over Gore Pass at mile 57, the climbing is over, save for a little bump in the road at mile 85. We'll pass through Kremmling 3/4 of the way to Granby; might be a good place to stop for lunch.

 Our home for the night will be Granby. In the morning we'll ride about 15 miles to Grand Lake, and the western entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Organizers call this the first of two "Queen Stages". A good night's sleep at 8,000 feet will be just what we need to be ready for what tomorrow brings.