Our tires rolled out on the bike path freed from their hotel carpet holding cell. The air was already warm and had a thickness that made breathing feel heavy. My eyes were blurry and having a hard time navigating the dark maze of urban trails with my GPS. Needing to be there at the start to hand out Spot trackers had me stressed about being on time. After a couple of wrong turns and wasted out n backs Nate and I were on track and looking good. Taking in some deep breaths I had to remind myself to chill out, get off the knife edge, it is just a bike ride.

It might be easy for me to say it is just a bike ride, cause it isn’t ever really that simple. Last year I jumped into the 2025 CTR group start with only a couple days notice, it was dicey and it hurt a lot but I made it to Denver with a huge mile on my face. After that experience I wanted more CTR and had it in my head to be dialed for this year’s race. Well I didn’t do a great job of prioritizing training time, or recovery time and more or less let life run me. I ended up starting the 2026 CTR undertrained and overtired, maybe a little exhausted. I lost my phone a couple weeks prior and that added a ton of stress to my stack. I couldn’t utilize many of the tools I needed to coordinate the race and get myself ready as well. Really sad, but I lost a lot of sleep over that silly device. Overall I was bummed I didn’t live up to my own goals of being prepared.

-getting to the start of the CTR isn’t an easy task, and then there’s the race!

It was hot. Started off at 74* in Denver and climbed up to probably 100* in the Hayman Fire burn scar on the Tarryall bypass. Aa anyone who has been through this exposed section on a bike knows there’s practically no shade on the route itself. One has to stop to find any shade, to find any respite from the blazing hot sun. There’s only one real water source. Its bleak and it cooked all of us I’m sure. So much water and electrolytes consumed, and the leg cramps and headaches were right there waiting for me to slip up a touch in my fueling or push just a little too hard. Everyone’s clothes and packs were stained white with salt, folks were throwing up their guts, it was rough.

I managed to pace myself fairly well, mostly due to the fact that my legs felt like garbage. 120 miles into a 514 mile race and feeling no gas in the tank is kinda scary. It was easy to get down on myself for not training harder and being more focused, for not making myself a priority. I started swirling the drain a little bit with all this negative, self-doubt and criticism. I stopped to take a break, a breath, take in the view. I reminded myself to be positive in this race, to level up not down. Now my legs were just warming up and it was a slow warm up. This actually worked. I still felt like crap and the effort was incredibly taxing, but I wanted to keep going instead of letting my mind wonder about the possibility of dropping. This kept me in the game of getting to Durango.

-then the smoke rolled in, folks started to drop due to air quality, I kept going and ended up coughing a lot.

I kept a great attitude despite the drag of pushing through the first 2.5 days. I also got to see some friends out using the trail, talk to a bunch of thru hikers, day hikers and other riders. The race is just a part of this, it is also the experience of being on the trail that is important, the animals, the flowers, the trail itself and all the mountains. Slowly on day 3 my legs started coming to life a little bit. That little spark kept me going, gave me hope! After Cresting Fooses, I felt even better, the probabilities got better and I got more confidence. My positive attitiude attempted to crack and fall away, the Cotchetopa Hills can do that, but I kept my focus on finding the good in the moment. I reminded myself to be there and not wanting to be farther along. It kept working, I was moving along and at times I felt like I was flying.

I got to Cathedral around 3:PM on Wednesday. Joe G was there snacking and hiding from the sun, Justin B rolled in just after me. We all chatted about our times and experiences getting here, the heat and smoke were top subjects. Annette listened and chimed in while we ate and refilled, swapped and charged batteries. Meanwhile the smoke from the Elk fire outside Lake City was pluming into a huge cloud above us. I don’t think anyone wanted to leave. To my surprise I was the first to get up and start riding, after completing the Cotchetopa Hills I wasn’t about to drop out and I wanted to get ahead of the smoke if possible.

-what’s your priority to finish or stay alive?

The next few hours were rough, maybe the hardest of the ride. The smoke going up Cebolla creek was intense, you could see the line in the sky, white yellow on one side and blue on the other and I was still trying to get a head of it, but without success. It was like breathing in fire, the smoke was so thick, ash was falling all around. It looked worse behind me, a complete curtain of white/grey smoke obscuring wear I came from. So I kept going. I did get ahead of it for the climb up Rambolette Park, but then it returned climbing up towards the start of the singletrack. I thought I was going to choke trying to get up to 12,000′ while sucking on a fire. I coughed my way up to the last trees before the high point and layed down to “sleep”.

That night was the worst sleep of the trip, I was a little cold, the grounds was extra hard and bumpy, and my lungs ached as much as my legs and back, just couldn’t get cozy. I tried to give myself 4 hours of rest, but I think I tossed and turned most of that time. Still I only snoozed my alarm once, then diligently got up and started pushing. I wasn’t moving super fast, but I was able to keep moving. Rolled over the High Point, Coney’s around sunrise, gorgeous, still smoky but much better. Kept it going across Carson Saddle, bumped into a moose couple that didn’t want to share the trail going up Lost Creek. After much shouting, they yielded the trail and I kept pushing, riding, pushing, not the fastest, but not stopping much, the Jefe way. Made it to Silverton just after noon on Thursday. I was stoking.

-believe in yourself, never be negative towards yourself, your mind is listening

I slammed it up Bear Creek. Determination was strong and with the finish getting closer I was mustering a little extra energy to get it done. That set me up for a gorgeous evening ride across Rolling Mtn Pass, through Cascade Creek and up over Bolom Pass, catching the sunset traversing the massive talus fields of Jura Knob. I was still feeling pretty good, legs were tolerating the little extra efforts, eyes were open, stomach was not great but stable. The miles kept disappearing under my tires and feet, “maybe I can push it all the way in tonight in one push?”

I tried, made it to the Cape of Good Hope and my eyes just couldn’t focus anymore, I was getting the wobbles and scared myself. Time to shut it down for a bit, but how long? I decided to sleep 1.5 hours and get up and go. This spot amongst the giant spruce trees was much better for rest, I could have easily slept till sunrise. So Cozy! I surprised myself as I jumped up, packed and got rolling in minutes. Game on! Then after 5 minutes of pushing and one attempt at riding I was wobbling again. Damn I was tired…I pushed a bit more sometimes it just takes a bit.Nope! Instead I laid down again, this time no bivy and with a 20 minute timer. Woke up after just 10 minutes and got rolling. It worked, my eyes were just good enough to be able to ride and I put it into gear grinding out Indian Trail Ridge and getting to Kennebec Pass at about sunrise.So Good! Bombed it about as fast as I could safely go and maybe a bit faster…So Much Fun.

Crossed Junction Creek and started the last climb. The Last Climb has taken me apart more times than not, I have screamed at the void on this climb at the top of my lungs before, I have almost lost my mind trying to grind up it at a fast pace and being utterly rejected. It lurks like a nightmare waiting to be re-lived. On Friday July 7th 2026, I didn’t flinch at the bottom of that climb. I walked and rode like I always do, but I didn’t lose my mind, I didn’t get upset, I smiled and thought about the breakfasts I would eat soon, the great folks I’d get to see, about how my girls are that much closer to giving me a hug. I felt stoke instead of dread, holy smokes that is fucking winning!

Wham Bam on down the last descent, whipping around the final switchbacks and rolling the last miles, smiling a smile of success. BK and Wild Bill at the TH, exchange stories and experiences, love this community. Ride into town, College Cafe for 4 breakfasts and lots of coffee. Hug the Sietze’s. Nap in Buckley Park while Greg P drives my car to Durango and I drive home. What a week, a blurry and wild ride through Colorado and a solid journey through myself.

-feeling so grateful for this life and those in it that support me, thank you everyone.

Holy Hell it is Race Week!

As of right now less than 6 Days till Group Start, almost Go Time and I know I am scrambling. Lost my phone and I can tell you that having a device that does and knows everything in your life is all good till you can’t find it. I apologize for my lack of attention to the CTR Facebook page, I can’t log in right now. So all info will be coming from the primary source, here jwookieone.com. I hope to get my phone working before the start of the race but it will be close. This is a great opportunity for me to let it go and for everyone else to figure it out! The info is out there or right here, so do some research. I am responding to email!

There are a couple slots left in Group Start if anyone wants in send me an email ASAP!

Group Start is at Waterton Canyon 4:AM main parking lot. Be ready to roll by 3:55-ish so I can tell you all how to be nice. I will have a couple rental Spots to deliver and then I will be rolling out with y’all. If you have a rental spot please be sure to find me as early as possible, I will not be carrying your tracker!

The Willow Fire has been mostly contained and the fire closures are lifting. The route was updated 7/24/26 to get off the highway. Be sure you’ve got the latest GPX file. https://www.plotaroute.com/route/3382615?units=miles

Weather is monsooning, so heavy scattered afternoon showers and lightening are happening most afternoons. Its real nice to be getting moisture and a cool down everyday, but the rain is inconsistent and the lightening is rampant. Therefor fires are starting due to lightening strikes, it is still a volatile situation here in Colorado. There’s a fire ban going on through out the state, so be prepared, be very careful and be aware. It is possible to have to remove yourself from the route if a fire breaks out. I will not be offering live update and options if this occurs, up to you! Watch Duty App is a good idea.

Water levels are very low still in Colorado. Be sure to up your capacity and study water sources. Far Out App is recommended.

Still time to get your rigs of the CTR Submission in! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hkHiFT-APGVakoNsrwMTEFNH-YPUSke_Q08bUTjfvkA/edit?usp=drivesdk

One last bit of advice, (and this goes for me right now); relax, breath, do one thing at a time. Remember it is just a big bike ride with friends, let some stress slide off your back and let it go. Focus on yourself and what you can do and get done. Very soon we will be pedaling the trail and living in the moment.

As of 7/24/26 this is the route for the group start Please update your device with new track.

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/3382615?units=miles

Route uses old “Leadville Bypass” but any route thru Leadville is acceptable. Come in off East Tennessee pass road, and exit on 24 going south out of town. All good in between. The old route out of town kinda sucks, but there are bike paths to county roads that hit town but skirt that exit. Chose your adventure thru here!

Route: Take 300 to CR11 south, just like usual. CR11 veers to the W/SW, stay on 11A going south/straight. Turn right at intersection with unnamed road, go west, intersect Trail 130/Conduit North Rd, turn left/SE. Take to Lodgepole Flats Rd/CR130, turn left descend. Intersect CR10, turn right and contour climb away. Turns to dirt, keep on CR10 stays low and contours till it finally turns up and crests hill going thru neighborhood. Stay on main road, descend to 92, cross directly onto singletrack into parking lot, parking lot leads to CT just before the dam. Back on track.

Any public access route through here will be accepted, don’t stress!

Willow fire outside of Leadville is ongoing, but seems subdued. Smoke varied throughout the valley. Hopefully more rain will help on all fronts.

One more heads up, the TH is closed at Highway 9/Gold Hill. CT takes road through neighborhood and it is marked as a detour. Track does not reflect this detour or any other current detours that might be occuring. Always follow “trail” on the ground when in doubt.

It’s July 22nd and I’m tired.

Summer is cranking away and it’s busy up in the mountains. This is the time of year we got to make hay and somehow check things off the bucket list too. It’s exhausting.

There’s also this little thing called the CTR that I find myself carrying around everywhere I go for June and July. I still love it doing it, but holy hell it’s a lot of work. So many emails every night, scouting missions with lots of driving and being away from my family takes its toll.

Oh yeah I am racing the CTR too. With about 10 days to go I’m getting those doubt filled thoughts questioning the wisdom of my choices. After last years race I was motivated to be ready for speed this year. One more sub five day ride! Truth is I don’t have the miles or focus to pull that off.

Acceptance is hard sometimes. It’s not easy feeling your body fall off the fitness horse knowing how hard it is to get back on. It would be really easy for me to take that message and let the CTR go for the year. I am starting to get used to the fact that I’m not that fast anymore, but I can do it. That’s the key, I can do it and I still want to and I’m learning to accept that.

I’ve woken up all week tired and a little beat down. (I do pound rocks for a living) I still have a good bit to do to get ready for August 2nd and it’s tempting to let it go, life is so full already. Last year I did a hike I hadn’t done in 30 years and it hit me: I prob don’t have another 30 years to do this stuff. Clock is ticking and I want as many of these experiences as possible. I may not be fast, but I will be out there and that’s winning. I’m tired too, but not giving up.

Hey everyone

Chance to make your bike and set up famous on the Bikepacking.com Rigs of the CTR.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hkHiFT-APGVakoNsrwMTEFNH-YPUSke_Q08bUTjfvkA/edit?usp=drivesdk

CTR Musings 7//7/26
Group Start is Full, waitlist is 12 folks deep, can add names to the list but not super likely to cycle through that many folks. Think ITT if you are wanting to hit it.
Fires are still a huge issue. Smoke is at times terrible, the CT is still closed from Tennessee pass to Twin lakes. Pre-evacuation orders for a big chunk of the area. Currently there’s not a lot of options for getting through this area safely, but we are looking.
Weather looks to be getting wetter next week, 7/14 on. Let’s hope, it’s our chance at a group start and normalizing of summer!? Right now it’s so so dry out here.

It was dark in the house one early morning in January. I found myself awake, sitting in front of the woodstove, staring blankly at the flames. I was feeling quite lack luster about myself in that I wasn’t focused my general wellbeing, I was being too busy trying to get things done. The to do list had dominated my existence, so much that I wasn’t always getting it done, just obsessing over it. I needed a distraction that put some focus back on myself a bit. There in the witching hour of the dark early morning, I found a solo entry to 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo for sale, I bought it.

I lined up help from Grandma Emi, got permission from the family, and started riding my bike a more, well a tiny bit more. It will never stop being hilarious how much I am able to fool myself into thinking I will have more time to ride/train if I focus. I did manage to ride more often, but time was hard to come by as life keeps happening, it just does and my rides were kinda short. The idea of riding a mountain bike for 24 hours is nothing to laugh at and my legs were worried. I was scared of how much this could hurt, how badly it could go if I hurt myself. So I tried to make the most of my ride windows and plan out everything else I could, prep is key.

A few days before I was set to leave for the race, I got accepted as a Club Ride Apparel Ambassador. Cool beans! I scrambled to try and get some clothes for the race and ended up getting the hook up from the 24 Hour Town Rock Drop MC, Kaolin Cummins. He lent me a whole box of CB gear to make sure I was looking good.

I drove to 24 Hour Town in one fell swoop, it was long, but driving the red VW solo made for a sporty cruise. Still it was about midnight when I rolled in, I hastily found a spot and rolled out the bag and slept. I got to wake up on the ground with coyotes howling in the still quiet and sparsely occupied space in the Sonoran desert. The spot I chose in the middle of the night turned out to be perfect, just 50 feet from the course and I set an easy up right next to the route, right before the rock drop, perfect!!! I did a hot lap, then swapped from a 34×20 to 34×21. The rest of the day spent chatting with friends and neighbors. Friday it rained a good bit of the day, not the best when tent camping and trying to prep, but forced me to chill and be out of the sun. There were just enough breaks in the precip to get thing done, plus rain before a race in the desert is kind of a magical treat. WIN WIN WIN!

Saturday morning was suddenly right now, my ducks were all lined up agap, but still riding solo self supported for 24 hours is game time. All the choices were suspect, did I choose the right gearing? Will I be ok running? Will my knee hold up? How many laps can I do, is this stupid to even try? Will the new tailwind hurt my stomach? Next your bike is staged and you have a baton in your hand and you are walking waay too far to the start of the run. Then you drop your baton and have to go looking, luckily someone found it and saw my panicking, searching face. Now wondering if I should have pooped one more time….Then boom it is noon, you are running awkwardly and faster than you’d ever like to run, people f$&king everywhere, faster, slower. I’m passing folks but it’s starting to suck, then you hit the bikes and it is pure chaos. Folks running, folks riding slow and awkwardly weaving back n forth, folks running with bikes, people everywhere screaming and cheering. It is mad crazy awesome just getting to your bike.

Now you are racing, going so fast and it’s tight and folks are passing all over, drifting tires. So good, oh man I was flying on that first lap. Tucking and pumpig hard, spinning like mad, working it to stay on the pedals. Fast, so much fun, and sketchy, first lap done. Straight out for another lap, feeling the speed of first lap, but stayed on the gas whole 2nd lap. Feeling good, stop for food, water bottles, couple pumps of air in tires.

Managed to play my cards as I hoped to, not easy for a whole day and night. Start strong, hopefully not too fast!, stay on gas, take shortest time off bike as possible, ride all night, drink, eat, drink eat. It did really hurt, around 10:PM my back went crazy tight from cranking up them bitches. Around 2:AM I was feeling shelled out, legs cooked, back tweaked, knee sore, eyes tired and burnt. Still I managed to stay on the bike, stay on the gas and keep cranking laps. I didn’t have anyone in the pits to tell me and I didn’t ask anyone about my place in the race. I stay focused on me and how to keep riding, I had the mindset of trying to get as many laps as possible. On my 16th lap someone recognized me and as we rode a bit together asked me if I was winning? I told him I didn’t think so, but he had the beta that I was leading!

That motivated me to keep the hammer on and slam out another fast lap. It felt so damn good, just amazing to roll that last lap knowing I hit 17 laps again, 9 years after my last 24HOP solo, I still had it!!! It wasn’t till I was all done and went to the timing tent that I was convinced that I had the win! So Utterly Destroyed and also so incredibly stoked!

Big thanks to my family for the time away!!!

My Bike was my Revel El Jefe, size large, SIDUlt fork, Code RSC brakes, Wheels: Revel/I9 front, Onyx/LightBicycle rear. 34×21 gearing. Fenix bc26 helmet light, Gloworm X2 handlebar.

Wore: Clubride New West Shirt and older ride shorts. I layered a wool long sleeve and wool 3/4 tights for the night laps. Was perfect set up for the whole 24 hours, lows in 40’s, HI in 70’s.

Ate: GF waffles, Gummy’s(mix of honey stingers, black forest, natty G fruity bears= money!) Bacon, Chicken Soup, GF Cookies, Chips, Tailwind Endurance Fuel Berry, Tailwind Ultra Carb Ginger-ale. Bison Meat Bars. Kombucha. Coke. Maybe a bit more I forgot… Found that I was very hungry for first 12-14 hours of the race and was less interested in eating for the second half. Overall nutrition was great for self supported effort, I was able to refuel quickly and had a variety spread out to chose from.

Always wish for more time on the bike, but I did a really good job of dialing in my bike fit in my rides leading up to the race and that helped immensely. More training would have helped prevent my back getting worked cranking hard.

Pretty sure it was 2013, I had just squeaked out the win and was a complete wreck when I rolled into Waterton. Luckily my Mom was there to collect me. It was our tradition to spend a few days together before or after the CTR, depending on direction. Kay lived not too far from Waterton in Brighton. After Jesse finished, we headed back to her funky little old farmhouse hidden amongst the highways and the ever-expanding city complex.

We always spent the time before or after the race, connecting. We talked a lot. We usually drank beer and sat on the porch in rocking chairs, surrounded by dogs. We always ate a lot of bacon. We drank lots of coffee. We ate ice cream. I always looked forward to it, whether completed amped up and anxious or utterly destroyed, it was such a great time to just chill, drink beer, pet dogs and talk to my Mom. We really enjoyed each other’s company and for someone as twitchy as I am, it was such a relaxing time.

In 2013 we got back to my Mom’s house straight from Waterton and while she was out, Tessa, one of her dogs had died. It was heart breaking. Instead of celebrating, we were dealing with a dead dog, and then my grieving mother. I was getting woozy and light headed in the hot sun getting the poor stiff dog to the vet for cremation, picking up cleaning supplies, and cleaning up. I was wasted, I hadn’t slept much in a couple days, I was looking for cool drinks and a long nap haha. It was also so difficult for me to watch my Mom sob and sob, it was awkward and sad. Losing a dog is brutal and I was glad I could be there for my Mom, she would never really ask for help, but me being there made it just happen. I was day dreaming on the trail about a celebration, instead it was a real somber time. That was a strong reminder that life doesn’t stop cause we are focused on something.

During my visit we were grocery shopping and the cashier had a bunch of tats and my Mom complimented them on their art, the person softened and was stoked to hear it. My mom wasn’t really a people person so the interaction surprised me. Later I asked Kay why she gave the compliment and did she like tattoos? We were drinking beer and rocking away the afternoon. She asked me why I didn’t have any? I told her I didn’t have anything I thought I wanted on my skin, forever. My Mom “to me they are art, maybe not always good, or recognizable as whatever, but cool that people used their skin as a canvas, I think it’s cool”, “and besides that person was having a day, wanted to add some light”

After a couple more beers I had an idea for a CTR tatt, it would have the CT twin peak symbol, then a thundercloud and a columbine. But what would be the occasion to actually get such a thing, I had zero ink on me and didn’t really like the idea that much. I had just finished my 6th CTR, I was seriously a wreck from going real hard, but it never takes that long to start dreaming of the next one. Maybe when I finish another, is it seven=tatt? Then I thought I should try to get 10 finishes!!! If I ever do, I’ll get the tattoo!!!

This summer I got to race the CTR once again and after 19 years and 12 tries I managed my 10th race finish. I also had an amazing ride out there. The bikepacking community is a swell group of folks and the Colorado Trail is something special. It really is an amazing feeling finishing this thing.

It was also my first finish without my Mom waiting at Waterton. I started the race without a plan for the finish, I was just going to figure it out. It wasn’t till about halfway, in the good old Cotchetopa Hills, riding all alone, that it hit me that my Mom wasn’t going to be there with bacon and ice cream. She wasn’t going to be there ever again. Damn that sucks. It almost makes finishing, or starting, half as fun. My Mom was at the start or the finish of every CTR I did except this last one. She was there for me all those years I was chasing this crazy dream to go as fast as I could on the bike, she always believed in me. I miss that in my corner.

So I got the tattoo. It hurt like something crazy, my skin just hated the sensation. But it’s there, for the rest of my days. I will always smile through the tears remembering all my rides along the CT and the wonderful times we had rocking away the afternoon. Miss you so much Mom.

2025 Gunny Loopy Loop

The 2025 Loopy Loop is on. One loop this year, about 212 miles and about 31,500″ of climbing and descending! Counter Clockwise! 

http://2025 Loopy Map and GPX

Trackleaders sign up: https://www.plotaroute.com/mobile/route/2903638

6:AM, Saturday August 30th, Downtown Gunnison, Colorado.

This is real mountain biking through the mountains on sometimes rough rugged backcountry trails. The altitude is high and gets higher, but it is always worth it, for the amazing views, feeling of place and some sweet riding as well. Unless you’ve done the Loopy before, don’t under estimate the difficulty of this loop.

Bit shorter and less bruising than last year’s ass whupping, but still plenty of chunk, lots of trail riding and of course, hike a bike. Singletrack start right out of town up into Signal Peak Trails, then over Signal Mesa to One Mile, to beaver/mcintyre to full Fossil Ridge trail, easy bomb down Gold Crk Rd, little bit of quiet pavement into Pitkin, tiny little town. Next a big climb up to the Alpine Tunnel and the Divide. Sweet Tunnel Lake trail to Tincup Pass, to the alpine ghost known as the “Intercept” to Napoleon Pass, down into Tincup. Bit of easy dirt takes you all the way to Taylor Trading Post, but the Route turns and climbs up decent forest roads to cross Cottonwood Pass Rd on the Timberline Trail. Timberline down to Texas Creek and then up a big climb to the Tiny Texas Ridge Trail. Dusty and busy roads continue thru Taylor Park and climb out on Rocky Brook Rd. Welcome to Spring Creek, past the reservoir and back onto singletrack with Bear/Deadmans and the into the Cement Creek Area. A big beautiful climb up cement creek trail and over Crystal Trl up to Star Pass/400. Descend and enjoy! Then around CB Mountain on Deer Crk, to Gothic Rd, Town of MT CB, skirt the bottom of the lifts and climb up West Side Trl to Happy Hour, Upper to Tony’s into Crested Butte. But don’t get too comfy….Big fun climb out of CB on Baxter’s to Carbon, to Ohio Pass Rd to Lowline Trail, sorry, not sorry..hehehehe….Mill Creek, dirt roads to Maggie Pass to an easy finish on pavement back into Gunny.

Resupply possible at mile 45, Pitkin, mile 71, Tincup, both very limited! Taylor Trading Post is about 3 flat miles off route at mile 75. Mount CB and Crested Butte are at miles 162/168. Surface water is generally available. Primitive camping common along route, although close to Crested Butte there is designated camping restrictions in place. Be smart about where you camp, there are plenty of places to get rest, I’d recommend along the trail sections away from CB, as the forest service roads there are often many folks out camping for the busy holiday weekend. Especially in Taylor and CB.

Self-supported rules apply. Do it yourself!!! This is a challenge for like minded folks to attempt to ride this loop as fast as they can. Feel free to “race”, but please remember to have fun and not take it too seriously. 

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Sunday July 6th, 4:AM, IOOF Park, Downtown Gunny.

Self supported, self paced, fun ride from town and back. A bit of pavement, some gravel, a bit of jeep road, plenty of epic moto singletrack and a sprinkle of ghost trail. A solid 60 miles, and 9000′ plus of up and down and starting at 7700′ in town all the way up to 11,900′ at the high point. Be ready for a long hard day with plenty of hike a bike. Bring lots of calories, water(filter?), a jacket and whatever you need to get thru 7.5-12 hours of pedaling and pushing.

GPX: https://www.plotaroute.com/routeplayer/3020310

Route description: IOOF Park start of second block main street, Gunnison. Ride North about 1.5 miles, veer right onto 135 frontage road for about .3 mile, to CR 10 for another 3 miles, as pavement goes left, continue straight on Lost Canyon Rd, good dirt (unless soaked!) Stay on road and climb steadily for about 8 miles. At mile 13.5 from town Lost Canyon Rd hits One Mile Rd at a pleasant saddle area, One Mile goes down to the Right, Lost Canyon goes up to the left. Look for a trail dropping to the N/E, this is Fast Cow, a ghost trail that plunges! Be aware of steep and loose sections!

Fast Cow drops to One Mie Rd, turn right and begin a rough bit of jeep trail-ish for about 1.5 miles. Take a narrow 2 track, Beaver/McIntyre on the Left at stream crossing! Up B/M to 3 way intersection with Fossil Ridge going left and McIntyre going Straight. Drop down McIntyre, watch the rocks! At about mile 20 turn Left and Up Alder Creek Trl #577, steep and hike a bike at times. Top out onto Willow Creek Rd, drop down only .3 of a mile and look for Bear Gulch Trail #610 on left at water bar, begin up and down many times then drop to Gold Creek Rd, turn left and climb good dirt road.

At roughly mile 31 go straight onto Fossil Ridge Trail, trail is rough, rocky and starts with a big climb up to treeline. Pace yourself! From there for about 5 miles, Fossil traverses many times between 11,000′ and 11,800′, it is beautiful, rough and rugged. Plenty of hike a bike and tricky riding. At about mile 38 begin the rowdy and wicked queen stage descent down Fossil back to Beaver/McIntyre. Lollipop on B/M back to One Mile, Up a steep and rocky climb back to Lost Canyon Rd for just a tiny bit more.3 mile lollipop, then look for grey gate on left and sometimes faint old CT Spur Trail paralleling the road but slowly drifting towards fast riding Signal Mesa roads to Signal Singletrack, (Northwoods, Shoelace, Ridge, Rasta, Contour) back into town!

Hell Yay! Go get yourself a cold beverage!