Category — Colorado, beyond Summit

The sun sets over Lake Dillon in Summit County, Colorado.

A poignant simile can make a new snowfall sparkle more brightly in the sunshine. If you live in Colorado and spend too long grasping for those words in fall, you’ll miss out on the brilliant show of color right outside your door.

Several times in the last few weeks, I’ve been on my bike both at the moment the sun rises from behind the Continental Divide and when it sinks into the Vail Valley. No, I’m not fortunate enough to have time for bike expeditions in the middle of the workweek.

Shorter days are a symptom of summer becoming winter and it means I’m dazzled by the fall color show each time I commute. Yes, dazzled. Just my ride home involves pedaling under a canopy of yellow aspens and cottonwoods. It’s stunning at sunset. Check it out for yourself on one of these rides. And don’t forget the camera.

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The dirt road up to Ute Pass near Summit County, Colorado offers fabulous scenery and minimal cars.

Why wait for a week or two off work? Go overnight.

Living in Colorado makes this bike touring motto especially easy. Some would argue difficult, as for the most part in Summit County, the only two route options are uphill and downhill. And with one comes the other.

Regardless, there are many outstanding overnight bike touring choices across Colorado. Many are a snap to do from home or with a short drive.

Check out the photos on Facebook
Check out the route on MapMyRide.com

Bike Tour Route: 145ish-mile loop through Dillon/Summit County to Winter Park and back via Loveland Pass, Berthoud Pass and Ute Pass
Bike Tour Start/End: Dillon, Colorado in Summit County
Summit County/Winter Park Bike Touring Season: spring through fall, depending on temperature tolerance (cool, high-altitude sections combined with dry, warm sections means travelers should pack for various temperatures, no matter the season)

At some point, I’ll have time to go on about this stunning route and my love of bike touring. But now is not that time, and if you found this on Google, you probably only care about the route. So here goes.

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Spring riding up Ute Pass in Summit County, Colorado can make for a dirty bike.

Route:Highway 9 north from Silverthorne and up Ute Pass Road
Start/End: Out-and-back from Dillon, Colorado
Season: Highway 9 / Ute Pass is typically rideable year round, but it’s best in winter and spring when everything else is snowy or wet

Each summer here in Summit County, Colorado, I see people on the bike path using their Nordic-style roller skates and think, “C’mon people, really? Can’t you just enjoy the summer?”

And now I understand. I am one of those people, just in the opposite season. A couple weeks ago I couldn’t wait any longer to get on my bike, so I made the changeover to hybrid tires and rode the dusty shoulder through Silverthorne, Colorado toward Ute Pass. And for the record, I have enjoyed winter, and spring. But I’m ready for bike rides. [Read more →]

So I can’t take credit for a really sweet 24 Hours in the Sage course preview video. But I had to post, because it’s pretty great.

And here’s another of a townie cruising down the Notch.

The Notch, a technical section along the 24 Hours in the Sage Course, claims another bike and its rider.

In honor of our friends that competed October 9/10 (the weekend before last) at 24 Hours of Moab and 24 Hours of Adrenalin (the 24 hour solo world championships), I’m finally posting my race report on 24 Hours in the Sage. A very grassroots event, 24 Hours in the Sage takes over the Gunnison KOA for a full weekend of racing on the amazing trails of Hartman Rocks.

The whole thing is pretty darn plush for a bike race. Hot showers, electricity, washing machines and all the amenities (thanks KOA Dave!) make 24 Hours in the Sage pretty much the best 24 hour race around.

Not the first person to walk the Notch, a rider makes way along the course.

I’ll admit. I’m biased. After all, Eric and I both work the event. My favorite part? Timing through the wee hours.

That’s not to say I’m not a fan of the non-stop BBQ and beer offerings, on-course Popsicle handouts, great people and sweet riding. But timing through the night, even when the sounds of music and announcing are long gone, is definitely fun. And, when I see pictures of myself after no rest all night, it makes me feel better about enjoying sleep. Because I look like death (or a crackhead!) after staying awake with the abandon of an 18-year-old.

Anyhow, to catch the details of the race report, read on!

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Riders on course at the eighth annual 24 Hours in the Sage were treated, sometime around 10:30 a.m., to grilled hamburgers handed out by mountain bike superstar Dave Wiens. Equipped with a backpack stocked full of classic American grub, the Gunnison, Colo. local set out to treat athletes and log a lap for the KOA corporate team.

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Looking to climb two fourteeners in one day? Grays and Torreys offers a good option close to Summit County.

Route: Standard Grays and Torreys routes, the east slopes of Grays and south slopes of Torreys
Start/End: Grays and Torreys trailhead, accessed via FR189 off the Bakerville exit of I-70
Season: While some people tackle winter ascents of Grays and Torreys, we fit in with the majority of folks and climb late summer and early fall to avoid major snow. If winter temperatures arrive early, even fall can get hairy up high on Grays and Torreys.

I’d be lying if I said I’m sad to see snow capping the Peaks of the Tenmile and Gore Ranges. In fact, I’m quite excited for winter in Colorado. But it doesn’t mean we’ve been letting the amazing Colorado weather go to waste. Just a few weeks ago, Eric and I took advantage of the Indian Summer and made our first trip up Grays and Torreys, arguably two of Colorado’s most popular fourteeners (14-thousand-foot-plus mountains).

The drive to the Grays / Torreys trailhead (from the I-70 exit) was pretty stunning. Back-lit by the morning sun, golden aspen stood on either side of the narrow, dusty road. Not a surprise on a Saturday, the parking lot was nearly full by our 8:45 a.m. arrival. Deep shadows made for cool weather starting out.

Below are photos, mostly thanks to Eric, of our travels up and down Grays and Torreys.

Eric smiles for a photo at the trailhead for the Grays and Torreys standard route.

The shadows made for a cool start to the Grays and Torreys hike.

The blue-sky day was perfect for hiking Grays and Torreys.

A harsh-looking drainage on Torreys

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The Herman's Gulch trail, near Summit County, Colorado, is an excellent choice for hiking with pets.

Route: out-and-back to Herman Lake on the Herman’s Gulch trail
Start/End: Herman’s Gulch trailhead, Exit 218, just off I-70
Season: Summer and Fall

Herman Lake is the destination for most folks hiking the Herman's Gulch trail, located near Summit County, Colorado.

I’m becoming a fan of fall. Not that I haven’t always enjoyed it; but lately I’ve been more hooked than ever on those cool mornings that become warm bluebird days with no clouds in sight.

Here in Colorado, fall means changing aspen. For the most part, we don’t have the red, orange and yellow trees the east coast sees … just the bright yellows of the aspen and shortly thereafter, the rich golds of the cottonwoods.

On the Herman’s Gulch trail, just off I-70 near the Eisenhower Tunnel, fall means more than changing aspen. Grassy shrubs on the hillsides of the surrounding peaks turn shades of orange and red. [Read more →]

Eric and his mom went for a zip line tour with Zip Adventures near Vail, Colorado. And here’s the videos:

Eric’s point of view zip lining through the canyons near Vail, Colorado:

The 1000-footer is the longest zip at Zip Adventures near Vail, Colorado:

A guide himself, Eric really liked the folks running the show. So when it’s time to zip line in Colorado, we say go for Zip Adventures near Vail, Colorado. http://www.zipadventures.com