Wooden bike in Salida

We made to Salida in 4 hours and 13 minutes with a head wind most of the way. The wind made for a tough day of climbing and descending. The route from Guffey to Salida was very remote and no services. We packed our lunch and carried lots of water.
Ron thinks that this days ride was the hardest because of the wind. I have to agree that the wind made riding difficult.
Two days and 120 miles covered on our mountain bikes.
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The Bull Moose bar

The Bull Moose bar was our landing point while we waited for Julie to get to Guffey.
When Julie got there we had a fresh beer, dinner and went across the road and set up camp.
Guffey is one of those very small mountain towns were everyone knows everyone else. Seems like the common question is "where are you staying tonight?".
On to Salida some 40+ miles away with several thousand feet of climbing. A cool start but we peeled our jackets after the first 3 miles.
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Our host in Guffey

Chris and his wife have a nice little cabin with space for us to set up camp for the night.
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Round-up Ron

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Ranger Ron helping with the cattle round-up. Watch out for that pile of ... to late now it's all over your bike.
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Light at end of the Tunnel

Ranger Ron seeking the light. Tunnel #5 is the straightest tunnel of the seven on Gold Camp.
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Cripple Creek

1:00 and we made to Cripple Creek after 5,000 ft of climbing. And it's time for some hot coffee and a bowl of chili.
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Great rail trail

Gold Camp road is one of the most scenic trails in the US trail system. Once a rail route to Cripple Creek what an adventure it must have been.
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Cup of Coffee first

Getting ready to head out on our trip to Salida. Ranger Ron having a cup and checking email.
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Colorado Springs to Salida

Scheduling a 2 day off-road ride from COS to Salida with Ranger Ron, prep for Leadville 100.
Leaving Colorado Springs Friday morning 6/18 with camp over in the tiny mountain town of Guffy. Julie will meet us in guffey with camping gear so we can go fairly light. We only need to carry fuel to get us to Guffey.
Our course route will take us up over the old Gold Camp railroad grade to Victor and on to Cripple Creek. We may stop in one of these famous mining town for lunch and reload on snacks and fresh water.
Then a short climb over Mt. Pisgah and down to route 1 turning south to route 9 and on into Guffey. After a good night's sleep we begin day 2.
Day 2 will be a remote and longer section of our trip. Leaving Guffey we head north on route 9 and make our westerly turn on to FR2.
Nothing but Colorado back country from here. All forest service dirt roads and the wilds of Colorado with a few options to bail off and head down to Hwy 50.
We will pass through many old abandoned mining sites and the re-populated mining ghost town of Turret. After Turret we make our descent on 175 down into out destination of Salida.
I still need to chart the full route to get mileage and altitude data and post it here.
Bike choice is always a challenge for me. Since this is a training ride for Ron and his Leadville challenge I will ride a geared 29er.
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