Riding Vail Pass, the riders

Jimmy Packs the Panniers

Our goal is to ride from Frisco in the Colorado Rockies, to the resort town of Glenwood Springs.








The forecast was for partly cloudy skies.  Seeing as there was no rain predicted we felt pretty safe in heading out for the great divide, a trek up the old ten-mile railroad grade, now a bicycle path, to the ski resort of Copper Mountain.  With luck, we would pass through Frisco and then Copper Mountain.  Next we would summit Vail Pass (10,662 feet) and find a place to camp on the West side.

Ten thousand feet into the sky is plenty high for heavy endurance riding.  The Federal Aviation Authority requires oxygen for pilots who fly above 10,000 feet.

Shortly before Copper Mountain rain began to fall in huge sheets.  The ground turned into a million little rivers.  We found shelter at a small covered bench at the lakes below Copper.  After a half hour of non-stop, drenching showers, we made a run for the coffee shop at the base of Copper.  That was to become our headquarters for the next several hours.  

With only light rain falling, we left the comfort of the coffee shop and headed up Vail Pass.  Night was soon to fall.  We needed to find a place to camp, fast!  The regulations were clear, our site had to be 100 feet from trail, road and stream.  In the pinched median of the opposing lanes of I-70, making up the East side of Vail Pass, options were limited.  Finally, I spotted a fairly level spot above the path.  Jimmy hauled the last bike up the steep grade as I put the finishing touches on the tent.

Then the cats and dogs style rain began again and we settled into a wet night in the alpine environment of the Colorado Rockies.  My 20+ year old North Face Tent could not keep the water out, despite a fresh sealing of the seams.  We are doing this tour on tiny budget made up of centavos and a prayer, so things like expensive tents are out.

Jimmy Rivera packing the tent on Vail Pass

The next day, we crested the summit of Vail Pass in beautiful sunshine.  Should we press on to

Glenwood Springs, or should we head back to the valley?  Since I had to be at work on Monday, we reluctantly played it conservatively, and headed for the barn.  Glenwood Springs would have to wait for another day.

All trips have the risk of a downside.  While laboring up Ten-Mile, a skateboarder zoomed down the path, veered into my lane, shoved me nearly causing a fall.  If you recognize this thug, let me know so we can report him to authorities.  




Unfortunately, the skateboarders often take over the Frisco-Copper Mountain bike path, with little respect for others who use the path.  We won't let that ruin an otherwise great ride!