A GOOD REASON TO RIDE A BIKE

SPRING  HAS COME AND GONE.

OR IS IT A CONTINUOUS UNFOLDING ...

MY RIDE TO ASPEN

Took a 30 mile ride to Aspen the other day

It is all up hill following the Roaring Fork River.

At home it was a warm Spring day.

And in the Fancy Ski Community of Aspen it is just like winter

There is a lot of water in the rivers and creeks with the run off of the snow melt.

A good time of the year - get out the road bikes.

Coffee in Basalt

Jeff Kerkove, Yuki and John

preriding 

The FIREBIRD 40 

course

This Saturday Eagle Co is hosting the Firebird 40 Mt Bike Race.

There is a big purse for the pros and experience for the rest of us.

Jeff thinks that there is going to be a lot of talent show up.

Yuki and Jeff ought to ba right in the middle of it.

John is hoping to be a decent part of the "experience"

And no age group for this old guy.

experience fun experience

Hope to get some pictures and reports up after the racing

More Kokopelli Trail Reporting - Desert Riding

In the desert we were told that it hardly ever rains.  But it does Snow!  This is the view greeting us in the morning of our first day in the desert.  What?? 

We didn't think snow would be an issue mid-April in the North Fruita Desert. Nor in NE Iowa May2nd too. 

Consulting the map at the Kokopelli trail head loops.  We were told to stay off the 18 Road trails as any moisture would make like cement on ones tires.  COPMOBA who builds, maintains,and supports the wonderful trail system has maps and conditions reports -check them out.

The video clip - boys will be boys - all but the girl had to try to clear this ledge.

The guys all ready to get the party started.

Heading to the Kokopelli trail head.  We met some great riders from California, Connecticut, Oregon, Arizona, North Carolina and beyond.  3 Johns and a Yohn  among them.

Making some time on the dirt road section - finally. 

Getting ready to start the supper rush.  All kitchen and cooking equipment were provided in the tour.  Scott was the team chef and he put together some fabulous breakfasts and dinners. 

Man was it a cccooold morning on day 2.  A longer day in miles but must less technical.  Gorgeous day and it warmed up nicely.

BACK TO KOKOPELLI AND THE DSERT

The redo of the Kokopelli Trail

 Below is Chris Congdon two years ago -

Going back out on the trail to retrieve the bikes that were abandon late at night in the deep snow. 

Chris, Kat Porter and John Adamson were not able to finish the 142 mile trail in 2011.

With the addition of Paster Scott Duffus 

the Spokes went back to the desert for a second and successful attempt.

Here are a lot of random pictures of our trip. 

The ride was harder than it looks on this map - really.  I mean, REALLY.

A little snow greeted the riders on a pre-ride warm-up on trails around the Kokopelli trail head.

This is a beautiful - magnificent place

BUT

make no mistake the Kokopelli Trail is a challenging bike ride

with many very technical obstacles.

Scott contemplating the best line.

Well done on a custom set up made by Scott. 

Kat was happy to be on a bike and thoroughly enjoyed the redux.

A few ledges to climb up - kind of hard for a short legged girl.

 Not sure where we are here as there were a couple of great hike-a-bike sections the first day. I believe this was around mile 13 (out of 33) for the first day and it took about 3 hours to get there.  No sense in going too fast - we have 4 days to complete the trail.  

For our second attempt on the trail we joined The Hermosa Tours folks for their 4 day adventure.  One could consider doing it in one day like Rebecca Rusch who shattered the previous record.  She started in Moab at midnight last night (April 26th) ending in Fruita as part of the celebrations at the Fruita Fat Tire Festival.

Kat was told that she had to Keep Pedaling - no Coasting.

We camped in the evenings - with the Tour company carrying our gear from site to site. Camp fires, camp eating and tenting are always a good time.

Two of our camp sites were at high elevation and the cool/cold temperatures added to our riding challenges - but still fun with the other nine members of our party.

Some non-technical areas helped us to get the miles rolling. 

The view of the Kokopelli trail leading to the beast of a vertical climb to the camp ground for our first night.

Day two brought more spectacular views as the trail takes one along the Colorado river in many places.

Some views into Yellow Jacket Canyon towards the end of day 2.  With some sandy spots - the canyon option gave some challenge to those who dared.

We had the luxury of three days of riding in Fruita.

Perhaps the best little town around.

A bike big enough for two, but very hard to move.

More pictures and reports from my traveling partners to come.

If you ever have the chance to ride the trail - TAKE IT.

john