A bit of a surprise that I read in the local paper that the Park Service decided to open up Fall River Road to hikers and bikers. There has been repair work going on all summer, post flood, that has kept it closed. Kudos and thanks to the Park Service for opening it up for this short window before winter sets in. It would have been pretty easy for them to just say "heck with it" and keep it closed up until next spring/summer.
So with the opportunity....how can I possibly pass it up??
Here we go!
Every cyclist dream.....a closed to vehicles but OK for cyclist road block!!
Up and Up we go!
Fall River road is a pretty steep affair, gaining a good amount of elevation over its ten miles or so route to the top ending at the Alpine Visitor Center.
I had a nice day working here, sun was in and out, about 58 degrees starting out.
Plenty of places to stop and enjoy the sun and Fall River, get a drink.........just be happy I am out!!
A future S'Mores roasting opportunity
I seemed to have most of the road to myself. There was a young guy who zoomed by me going up and a gal that was starting as I was unloading my bike. I never caught her until she was coming down as I reached the top. There was a group of two families that were riding down from the top. They had young kids on bikes that were having fun with the downhill run from AVC. Otherwise, a quiet and peaceful ride today!!
Fall River road is pretty relentless in an uphill grind, not any flat places to gear up your bike and stretch out, you earn every mile!!
Switching back and forth!!
Always cool things to look at if you keep your head up!!
Some rock formations going up the flank of Mt. Chapin
There is still a bit of perma-snow in the ski-able chute coming off Sundance. a little fresh snow on it that makes it look better than the rock fest it actually would be on some skis!! Early summer is the time for tackling this because you can just about ski right up to the road. I am a big talker here....I have not skied Sundance for many, many years.
But....First tracks here!!! Just for you Mike Monroney!!
Note to self.....Remember that this is here for the trip down and slow down!!
I got up above treeline and just enjoyed the view. Three weeks ago after our trip up and over Rollins pass I really figured that my time above treeline on a bike was over for the season. Yet here I am. 19th of October and still enjoying. This has been an exceptional fall season for getting these late high elevation rides in.
I decided to not ride all the way up to AVC. Put on a couple of layers and gloves and my helmet for the downhill run. As expected, a bit different weather up here, my little bike computer tells me 42 degrees. It was a nice cruise back down. The road is in fantastic shape because no car traffic on it except the occasional Ranger in his patrol truck. You have to ride the brakes a bit because you can not just open it up like you can on the pavement on Trail Ridge, but still pretty nice riding. I tried my hand at a video, but not very successful, plus then I have to figure out how I get it moved around on my computer to attach it. Maybe the next post.
Hey! Thanks for following along and reading!!
Everybody have a great week!!
Jim
Jim, thanks for the scenic ride with you. Lovely, lovely Colorado.
ReplyDeleteAnnie, Thanks for stopping by for a look. Yes, it is lovely! I tell myself everyday to not take it for granted. Soak it in
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a beautiful ride! Too early for me to see snow already, that comes here in December and that's soon enough. Glad to see you gettin' out on the gravel a bit more. So nice not to have to contend with motor vehicle traffic.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to not deal with the vehicle traffic, and I like the pace of the dirt riding. You can observe so much more of the world around you. But, I still like zooming along on the nice smooth pavement, especially the downhill after you have grinded the uphill. I am still pretty cautious on the downhills on dirt whereas you can just let it roll on pavement downhill. I guess that is why we all do both, to find the fun in either type of ride. I am enjoying the dirt so much that I am re-thinking some tour plans and I will consider riding Ogre and combine pavement and dirt in the same tour.
DeleteThanks for reading!!
Jim that ride looks like the prefect job for the Ogre, what kind of tires are you running on that monster?
ReplyDeleteRyan, Thanks for checking out the ride. I have the tires on Ogre that it came with from Surly. WTB Nano 2.3. They are not too aggressive, a happy medium for dirt or pavement. I might buy a set that would be a little more pavement friendly since I see my future with this bike to rides tours that are a mix of pavement and dirt roads that are a bit smoother than the single track rock that I have been riding with Kyle this fall. More towards Rails-to-trails type of riding. That is what I really enjoy, a smooth dirt ride without the vehicles that road riding has.
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