Glenwood to Salida, Bring On FIBARK

Falls Creek Coming into Gilman Gorge



Woke up at 3 am to be ready for Roger to get me through Glenwood Canyon since the bike path was still closed cause of high water. Roger dropped me off at Dotsero and I noticed that my attachment nut for my trailer had fallen off during the ride. Using my MacGyver like skills I fashioned one out of a beer tab and some wire. "Give me an Avocado, an ice-pick and my snorkel, trust me bro."


Notch Mountain view from HY 24

From there is was on and even though this was the same ride I made to Homestake and Gilman, I felt way better and it didn't take me nearly as long. I got to Edwards and had so much time I just sat around and annoyed Ross at Alpine Quest. He finally was so pissed that he called a local photographer and hooked me up with the Vail Mountaineer for a story and photo shoot. Watch out Hollywood here I come.

After shooting my flowing Jew curls in every direction I headed to Lauren's house to stay for the night. She had to work so I ended up going to dinner with her Roomie. Summer time in Vail is nice because it becomes semi-affordable as most places were 50% off. I opted for sushi since I wouldn't ever be able to afford it again.

Now I should have left the next morning but I was tired and I decided to stick around for another day and participate in one of Vail's oldest traditions, Cougar hunting. While the summer is not the ideal time for Cougar hunting (due to a lack of food most Cougars retreat from the area), some of these ferocious beasts can still be seen. Especially at Vail's Hot Summer Night Concert series which premiered that Tues. Needless to say maullings occurred. Oh and if you move to Vail, go to Vandettas Pizza and get to know Arthur, he seems to know every single person in Vail, I am not kidding.

Feeling refreshed the next morning I headed towards Leadville where I was going to stay the night. This required going up Battle Hill Pass which was a 4 mile summit (takes you to Homestake)

Support your Vets and Troops

I am guessing these are the old barracks

I can't think of a prettier place to be stationed

I eventually got to the top and began to ride toward Camp Hale. Camp Hale is where the famous 10th Mountain Division trained before going over to Italy and kicking Nazi butt. They might have had one of the most beautiful training areas ever. While I was taking pictures I saw a fox and tried to find it to take a shot, being so sly though, the fox popped up behind me so the pic isn't that good.

Sneaky lil' guy popped up right behind me

From there it was climbing Tennessee Pass, which I can say has been one of my favorite passes yet, beautiful and relatively easy as well. When you get to the top there is a memorial for the 10th Mountain Division. I am hoping the pictures come out well enough so that you can read about them and I don't have to try to paraphrase. If you know me you know I am a Social Studies teacher so I have to throw in the historical perspective on this stuff so when my students look at the pictures they learn something as well. Just click on the pics and they will blow up so you can read them.

Coming down the pass was amazing and one of the most beautiful areas ever. I love going to BV and Salida because of the 14ers that hug you along the way.

Coming down Tennesee Pass

I arrived at Leadville and decided to do some covert ops and blended in with the Ride the Rockies folks to camp at the high school. I ate dinner at High Mountain Pies which has some awesome pizza, especially when you are starving. The next morning I awoke with them and rode with them as they back tracked to Independence Pass. At this point I got my first flat and had to repair it. I then continued on to the Pine creek race outside Buena Vista. I will stop here and pick up with the Race on my next post. Sorry this was so long, but plenty of photos.