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.