Day 1 Pagosa Springs to Creede Starting out in this beautiful southwestern town you get to look at the challenges ahead to the north. Ride for about 18 miles and you head up "the great Divide"-- the Continental Divide. You head over the famous Wolf Creek Pass. You meet the mountains early this year but it's a wonderful climb and the descent is well deserved. You end the day in the old mining town of Creede--where John Wayne used to own a home. A good challenge for day one.
Day 2 Creede to Gunnison Start early--this is the century day with some really good climbing. You will leave Creede and head through the headwaters valley of the Rio Grande River. You will head up to Spring Creek and Slumgullion Passes (10,901 feet and 11,351 feet respectively) on the Divide again. This is a steady climb with a fast descent into beautiful Lake City where Alfred Packer was tried and convicted. Out of Lake City you will follow the river down to Gunnison Valley but don't be fooled--there is still some good climbing. You will be proud of yourself when you get to Gunnison.
Day 3 Gunnison to Montrose This is a good day after the century as you ride flat and steady by the Blue Mesa Reservoir. With some rollers you will travel through the valley and then climb out going over Cerro Summit at 7800 feet and then down to the Western Slope town of Montrose. This long descent is well deserved and a stroll through the town enjoyed with a cold drink.
Day 4 Montrose to Telluride Ride up the river valley looking at the beautiful Uncompahgre range on your left and then taking a right after the Ridgway reservoir in the town of Ridgway heading up Dallas Divide and passing Ralph Laurens ranch on your left below the Sneffels range (Telluride is on the other side). You will pass 8970 feet on Dallas and don't be surprised if this pass bites you a little. Head down the other side and head up to Telluride. This valley is beautiful and you can enjoy as you know you have a rest day in the wonderful town of Telluride.
Day 5 Telluride Rest Day!!!
Day 6 Telluride to Mancos Today you leave Telluride and head up towards the mountain village. After this short steep climb you head to some of the prettiest land in America heading up to Lizard Head Pass. At 10,222 feet you will feel your legs--but the feeling will be strength gained from your previous days in the saddle. Stop a the top and look around to see why you come to Colorado. Now you head down the Dolores river valley to the old western town of Mancos.
Day 7 Mancos to Pagosa Springs The last day. You will leave Mancos and head up Hesperus Hill at just under 8500 feet. You are in the land of the ancient Anasazi, passing Mesa Verde. Once over Hesperus you will head down to Durango-- this hub of Southwestern Colorado. This cycling mecca is this year's start point of the US Pro Cycling Challenge (you will have done some of the same passes they do). We will take you north of the main highway towards Vallecito to Bayfield. This beautiful detour takes you away from busy highway. We will head east over some rollers including Yellow Jacket Pass at 7544 feet and then back to Pagosa Springs where you will feel the huge sense of "wow--I did it".
Helpfull hint: Clicking on the link for each day will take you to MapMyRide. You'll find a lot of good stuff there like being able to create training logs. Another cool thing is to view the route using the Google Earth link. Zoom in and you'll get options to see street views all along the route. Also, click the link on the top of the page "View the new site" to get more detail on the climbs--cool stuff.
