Operation Durango is in effect . . .

After quite a bit of back and forth between myself and two riding buddies from the east coast a southwest Colorado riding adventure was locked beginning Labor Day weekend.  Months of trail research and logistical planning yielded an absolutely all-star lineup of rides.  In addition to several classic Durango rides, we would be sampling trails in Gunnison, Salida, Crested Butte, as well as Cortez:

   

    Horse Gulch - Durango

    Harman Rocks - Gunnison

    Monarch Crest - Salida/Poncha Springs

    Trailriders Trail 401 - Crested Butte

    Deer Creek Trail - Crested Butte

    Hermosa Creek Trail - Durango

    Kennebec - Durango

    Phil’s World - Cortez

    Sand Canyon Trail - Cortez

If mountain biking was born in California then it certainly went through adolescence in Colorado.  Tag along on a ten day journey from high alpine riding, to endless creek-side singletrack, and finally to classic high desert terrain.

Flying into Durango Saturday gave me a few days on my own before I met up with the boys who flew into Colorado Springs.  My bike was waiting at Pedal The Peaks in Durango since I had shipped it a week prior.  I assembled my rig right in the parking lot of the bike shop and left my empty case there (thanks Cliff!).    I was also able to pick up a copy of the Durango trail map by Latitude 40 - a must-have resource.  Next stop was to just grab some water before heading off to the nearby Horse Gulch area to get a mellow shake-out ride in.

Horse Gulch was a great introduction to the area’s riding.  There was a little bit of everything; mild climbs and descents, rocky technical sections, and some overall nice hard-packed, fast singletrack.  At elevations around 7000 feet it was a good starting point to get somewhat acclimated – key word: somewhat.  It felt great to get out and sweat and spin for a few hours.  I was also able to get acquainted with the late afternoon thunder that typically rolls in.  Although there were some rumbles here and there, no rain came down and it eventually passed (this time . . .).  After a great ride I checked into my hotel, got cleaned up, and then headed into town to wander and grab a bite to eat at the Olde Tymer’s Café.

Check out some photos of the day’s riding adventure: Horse Gulch

Next stop, Gunnison . . .