Oh yeah, 2!!

So I had the opportunity to go ride some sections of the CT that I have never been on. So of course I jumped at the chance. Marshall pass to Durango was the plan with a Friday am departure and a Monday-ish arrival. Met up with Jon and Michael in Salida Thursday night in preparation for an early start the next morning. Pedaling by 6am and it was on. Nice and brisk from the sun not wanting to come out. Just cruising along at a steady pace for the first few sections, until the only navigational error of the trip took place. 3 1/2 hours and 20-ish miles of back and forth riding looking for the route. All while being In the hottest portion of the ride on shitty dirt roads. We saw three vehicles and none of them knew where we were either. Took us a bit but figured it out and proceeded to climb to Los Pinos Pass where we crashed for the night. 16 hours of riding and 100+ miles for day 1.

On the bikes before sunrise the next am for a brisk descent off of the pass. Only to be followed by a 15 mile climb up to slumgullion, which was a fitting name as I was definitely slumming on that climb. Hit pavement for another 7 miles to the top of spring creek pass where the fun was about to begin. Fueled up and headed out for the coney and cataract ridge sections that we have heard so much about. The 1st 15 miles was sweet, bumpy but sweet. Took plenty of pictures through here 'til we hit the high point of the ct and the camera was put away.

Once we got to the cataract ridge section is where the going got really tough. 15 miles all at over 12000' was no joke. The views were big and absolutely amazing. I do believe it wad the prettiest area I have ever been in and some of the toughest riding I have ever done. Lots of trail that was just going from cairn to cairn with no visible path. Definitely more hiking than biking, but amazing none the less. Absorbing the sunset in the middle of nowhere was phenomenal. Had planned to be in Silverton by 6 pm for dinner but that didn't happen. Got off of the ct a little after 9 pm for a LONG descent into town. Nothing was open except for the bar, where we went in and drank some coca-cola and had some snacks of our own. Found the town hostel unattended and totally vacant so we took it over for the night. A shower and good night's sleep and we were ready for another day. This section of trail was absolutely surreal and I recommend it to anyone who is down for a day in the pain cave. It took us 9 1/2 hours to go 30 miles, but the views are indescribable. 70 miles and 15 hours of riding for day 2.

We decided to bail on the rest of the route into Durango, so called Joey and he came, picked us up and drove us to the top of Molas pass. We ditched our camping gear and just went for a ride over to Bolam pass. Just a beautiful section of high mountain single track. 30 miles and the day was over, just like that. Got to Durango and had some of the best pizza, ever. Then went and played bike polo until it was too dark to see the ball. What a wonderful way to finish an awesome three day ride. 200 miles and around 35 hours of riding. Thanks Jon and Michael for an awesome trip. 'Til next time, peace.

ps. Had written a much better write up, but my electronic device crashed right as I wax finishing it up and had to start over with much less motivation.

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