State Bridge at the Colorado River

Free afternoon after a few great morning sessions about SPM.



Same bike again, still setup up and ready to roll. Thanks to the shop mech. Conveniently located right inside the meeting complex. Simple route, out and back -- Vail - State Bridge - Vail.

Rolling out same way but this time beyond the Bottom of Beaver Creek towards the junction Colorado 6 and 131 -- filling up water. A scenic bypass over Wolcott Pass. A nice moderate climb with tailwind... and a very fast descent down to State Bridge. Quick stop after passing the bridge over the Colorado River. And just that moment a long cargo train was approaching....
Then returning the same route. Climbing Wolcott Pass on the steep side into a nasty head wind, then descending with a massive need to pedal to keep momentum as bad the head wind was! Back down at the junction, quick rest stop and Cappuccino -- a good one and just 3 bucks -- then heading on back at good speed, feeling great! Nice 65miles done.


 

Beaver Creek Explorations -- Dead End and Gravel Roads

On a busy trip to a conference ICN+T in Vail, CO. Py took the chance to rent a road bike and go for a quick lunch ride to explore Beaver Creek.
Setting up the rental bike with pedals..., a pretty nice (for a rental) aluminium GIANT Defy. Surprisingly light and a nice ride! Quick checking it out around the resort, then heading out on Frontage road heading West next to I-70. A fast run slightly downhill narrowing into a beautiful bike path next to Gore Creek!
For a moment confused at the junction 24/6. Hooking up with two other riders heading towards Beaver Creek for a few miles. Then taking the climb up into Beaver Creek resort. Continuing the road until it's end -- or transition into gravel, not suitable for this ride and not in the mood of experimenting with rental bike. After finishing a banana, returning into town and figuring out how far the other road may go up paved.... same thing, this time ending or transitioning into dirt at the base of a lift service station or such. Asking a local worker about any other eventual paved options -- try "Batchelor Gulch Road" -- so Py did. Very nice little longer climb, virtually zero traffic, nice scenery and vistas. Heading to the end, then trying the "left hand" fork road, actually continuing up to little beyond 2600m over a crest and descending -- should be possible be get to Beaver -- but ending at a closed gate, no time left for more experiments and returning.

Local 200km -- RP 2 OP on most scenic roads

Py needed a longer ride -- so heading all the way to the East End on the North Fork.

A great summer day. For a great ride. Only the wind was not really cooperating, cross head winds out and back as it turned around about all the way out on Py's scenic route not missing any of the back roads. At Orient Beach SP the 1st stop and water top off -- non stop all the way out in about 2h40.
Then quick coffee stop in Greenport at his favorite Coffee shop Aldo's.
Long haul back via Cutchogue [until there Py forgot to restart his Garmin -- so about 10mi / 17km missing in the log below], on best cycling roads including part of EB's North route, Py's RP2IPB.