The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

A Slice of Paradise in Colorado

August 27th to September 1st

Ride Director: Robert Deering
Ride Co-Director: Steven Roberts
Report by: Mark Wall

For those who love riding beautiful mountain terrain, Slice of Paradise was just that.  The rides near the Arkansas River in western Colorado offered a challenge to those of us who live in the lowlands around the country and moderate riding to those who live on higher ground.  The beginning rides to Buena Vista/Granite and Salida offered hills and varying distances that could be easily modified to satisfy any rider.  Both towns offered food, sights, and shopping to keep one busy for a sufficient respite and regeneration for the ride back to the resort in time for happy hour. The true challenge of those two days was the warmer-than-average temperature and afternoon winds that could slow the ride.

Originally scheduled for Thursday, the Cottonwood Pass Day was moved to Wednesday because rain was forecast and no one wants to be on the top when thunder and lightning roll in.  The leaders offered varied approaches to the Pass—start at the resort, start in Buena Vista, start at Denny Creek—a sort of pick-your-challenge ride.  The ride goes to over 12,000 feet and is a long grinding uphill effort.  But no matter where one started the accomplishment of getting to the top was exhilarating.  For those who decided not to ride to the top, there was a hike to Lake Ptarmigan, which is even higher, or plenty of 14,000-foot peaks to climb.

Hiking was an optional part of this trip, including Brown’s Creek Water Fall Trail or the Colorado Trail: (https://mtprinceton.com/colorado/hiking/). The area offered an abundance of choices and alternatives.  There was also the option of rafting on the Arkansas River or tubing in Salida.

The Princeton Hot Springs Resort pools offered relief to tired muscles and a chance to soak and gaze at the magnificent stars in the night sky.  The adventurous could check out the alpine water slide, or you could soak in the creek or get a massage—all guaranteed to make the hills of the day seem more down than up.

The information in the ride description accurately reflected the diversity of riding and hiking offered in this ride, and Robert and Steven worked well with the weather and variety to offer opportunities for everyone to enjoy the beautiful country and challenges of riding in the Rockies.