UP, OVER AND BACK.

IVE RECENTLY BEEN SPENDING A GOOD AMOUNT OF TIME ON THE ROAD BIKE. WITH WET TRAILS I HAVEN'T HAD A LOT OF OPTIONS, BUT IT'S BEEN FUN. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR SUN SO I COULD FINALLY RIDE THE MONUMENT. LAST WEEKEND AND THE WEEKEND BEFORE WERE PRIME CANDIDATES. THE FIRST ATTEMPT TWO WEEKS AGO WAS A SUCCESS BUT IT INCLUDED SMASHING A BROKEN CHAIN TOGETHER WITH A COUPLE OF ROCKS AND FINISHING THE RIDE (20 MILES OR SO) IN GRANNY GEAR. THIS LAST SATURDAYS TRIP WAS A BETTER (NEW CHAIN AND REAR DERAILLEUR HANGER) ALTHOUGH COLDER RIDE.

ABOVE. A PIC FROM TWO WEEKS AGO. JUST AFTER DEVILS KITCHEN PARKING LOT. THE CLIMB BEGINS.

ABOVE. ME WITH PROOF I MADE IT TO THE HIGHEST POINT. THE ROADS WERE CLEAR AND DRY BUT THE LAST STORM WE GOT LEFT SNOW KNEE DEEP ON THE ROADSIDE. I FOUND THIS OUT WHILE TRYING GET THIS PIC.

ABOVE. A SHOT OF THE VALLEY LOOKING OUT OVER FRUITA. AMAZING HOW FAR YOU CAN SEE FROM UP HERE.

GETTING CLOSER. FRUITA HERE I COME.

TUNNELS, CHECK.

I MADE IT! THE RIDE FROM MY HOUSE OVER THE MONUMENT TO FRUITA AND BACK TO MY HOUSE TOOK ABOUT 3 HOURS 15 TO 3 HOURS 30 MINUTES IN TOTAL. 45 MILES. GOOD FUN AND I GOT TO SEE A TON OF OTHER CYCLISTS OUT. A FRIEND AND I WERE THINKING ABOUT A DOUBLE MONUMENT RIDE OR A PALISADE TO MONUMENT RIDE IN THE FUTURE. WITH WARMER WEATHER I'LL BE UP FOR ANYTHING. IT'S JUST NICE TO BE OUT.