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This is an exchange I initiated with an old friend who recently retired from 21 years as a Captain in the Telluride VFD. \u00a0Not the first time he’s told me I’m nuts but it’s been almost 30 years. \u00a0 Time to grow up?<\/p>\n
After a fantastic night Thursday I awoke with a bit of the blues Friday morning. \u00a0I’d been on the road a week. \u00a0One glorious week. \u00a0I left home with little idea what to expect. \u00a0I spooled off what could only be called an angry 14 hr 1,000 mile ride the previous Friday, chilled in Denver with Woody, survived the heat of the White Rim Trail, hung at a ranch, met some wonderful folks and dove headfirst into Billysride.<\/p>\n
It was coming to an end. \u00a0We started Monday morning with 10; at Lake City we were down to 7. \u00a0I had a meeting in Connecticut Tuesday morning. \u00a02,100 miles away. \u00a0I had anticipated this when I decide to tour and my plan was slab west and two lane back as far as possible. \u00a0I no longer have much joy in riding on the slab. \u00a0More cars, dramatically more trucks and everybody fiddling with something makes for a sub optimal riding experience. \u00a0With this in mind I was anticipating three to four days to get home which meant a Friday departure.<\/p>\n
At the beginning of the week I would have been very hesitant and probably would have taken Jim’s advice but he had been wrong about the White Rim Trail, probably because he does it with air conditioning or late October. \u00a0Now, after riding with this group I had the feeling that if a 4×4 could do it we can too. \u00a0I was going back and forth between sticking around for one more day and do the most extreme pass or start making my way east when Rick casually mentioned that he’d left these trips early and the last day is always the best day.<\/p>\n
Ultimately it came down to what do I want to do more. \u00a0Squeeze in one more ride with this group was the clear answer. \u00a0I made it door to door in 38 hours to get here, surly I can still relax and stay off the slab if I have 72 hours to get home.<\/p>\n
We went over to the Aloha Moose Cafe. \u00a0I had eggs as Big John had my syrup. \u00a0One last visit with the Hawaiian girl from Colorado, now back in Colorado. \u00a0She remembered me and my syrup. Most do.<\/p>\n
We got packed up and headed back over Engineer “the hard way” to Ouray. \u00a0The FJ Jamboree was in full swing and the trail was crowded which added to the degree of difficulty. \u00a0The good line would have a vehicle on it so we’d be forced well off to the side while trying not to slide off into the ditch or down into the Cruiser. \u00a0No issues, just took time, patience and cooperation.<\/p>\n
Time, Patience and Cooperation.<\/p>\n
We’d need plenty of all three soon enough.<\/p>\n
One of the challenges as a rider out on tour is sorting through all the information available on trail conditions. \u00a0Unlike researching a pavement tour there are so many things that can trip you up off pavement and no amount of research will eliminate the unexpected. \u00a0What was considered easy a few years ago (Ophir Pass) might be considered big bike hard this time. \u00a0A small stream may become a deep river 70 miles in. \u00a0Riding jeep trails in Colorado is not terribly different than riding Class IV roads in New England from a technical standpoint. \u00a0The big difference is out west the technical section can be the entire ride and the margin of error is at times reduced to a fraction of what we’re used to at home. \u00a0I’d had a good week so far with only a few little oops moments. \u00a0I reminded myself to ride within myself while surrounded by better riders who go faster. \u00a0I made a conscious decision to stay one more day and ride what was by all accounts the most extreme pass in the area.<\/p>\n
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Telluride is located in the San Juan National Forest, our playground for the last few days. \u00a0This area was settled in the 1800’s with the discovery of silver and gold. \u00a0Ouray, Silverton and Telluride were all mining towns and the passes we’d been riding were the trails connecting the mines and the towns. \u00a0 Originally built to accommodate a mule and a wagon some have been widened a bit while others such as Black Bear remain close to original. \u00a0 I had spent more than a few moments during the week thinking about this pass.<\/p>\n
Thanks to the internet I had all sorts of information. \u00a0I learned that the hairy section was very steep, off camber with “steps.” \u00a0It was described as having the best line closest to the huge drop and the “chicken line” which was closest to the inside had the biggest steps. I learned that a couple from Missouri passed away on the trail and another couple in a rented side by side went off the cliff. I also learned that locals like my friend Jim would be happy if it was closed to vehicles. \u00a0 If found this photo that gave me a bit of an idea of what to expect which was not to expect to ride this.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n With this information normally I’d say no way but within this group of riders there was a bit of what I’d call “competent crazy” as in sure we’re going to do something some might recommend against but we’re not going to be reckless \/ careless \/ dumb about it and we’ll get it done as a group. \u00a0This is why I stayed an extra day. \u00a0 Not necessarily to kill myself on some pass but to spend one more day riding with these guys.<\/p>\n After a short break in Ouray we went south a little bit on the Million Dollar Highway to Black Bear Pass. \u00a0It started as a beautiful day but like almost every day in July afternoon thunderstorms were forecast. \u00a0The first few miles are lovely and scenic; some of the easiest riding we’d done so far. \u00a0I figured this must be the calm before the storm so to speak. \u00a0It really was pretty with some of the best high alpine meadows of the trip. \u00a0Here’s a sign giving one a bit of a hint as to what’s coming.<\/p>\n The trail stays easy until the steps, then it’s one way downhill with no chance of turning around. \u00a0As we approached the steps it started to rain. \u00a0Perfect. \u00a0It was going to be way too easy anyway, much better to attempt steep off camber shale when it’s wet. \u00a0I got off the bike and went for a walk to check it out. \u00a0I walked back up the hill and with a little theatrics told our British rider “We’re fooked” and to some degree I meant it. \u00a0This was not going to be easy and the only way to Go Home was to Go Big.<\/p>\n We had a quick huddle and developed a plan. \u00a0We’d team up using a spotter and helpers to get each bike town this section. \u00a0The rider would be on the bike, engine off and use the clutch as a brake as paddle walking would be necessary. \u00a0Spotters were required because there were places on the steps where one or both feet would be a long way from the ground. \u00a0Being wet there was little traction which meant walking speeds. \u00a0Any loss of control or traction would result in a slide off the trail and down the mountain, any fall even at no speed would be very painful if not a bone breaking event.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chad gets an assist. \u00a0We split up the group and positioned ourselves along the trail in an attempt to minimize the amount of climbing. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The last rider makes it to the corner. <\/p>\n At the bottom of the steps is a hairpin with a bit of a turnout. \u00a0 This is where we’d park after competing the steps, then hike back up to help the next rider. \u00a0 It overlooks Telluride and is quite a spot. \u00a0Of course by the time we all got down the rain let up.<\/p>\n Chad Warner photo<\/em> <\/p>\n We continued down into Telluride, past Bridal Falls. \u00a0Spectacular scenery and a great way to unwind from the steps.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nChris (shown going back up for the next rider) climbed the hill five times. There is also a hiker in this photo.
\nThey were plenty of hikers and some would stop to take photo or short video of these crazy guys and their bikes.
\nJim Bean photo\u00a0<\/em>
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\nJim Bean photo<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
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