The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

Colorado Mountains, Valleys and Brewpubs

August 18th to August 30th

Ride Director: James Shaughnessy
Ride Co-Director: Mary Ellen Shaughnessy
Report by: Patti Post

Colorado Mountains, Valleys and Brew Pubs was a Colorado bicycling trip through and through. Big blue sky, big mountains with long climbs and great downhills.

We began out trip with a scavenger hunt in Dillon and Frisco to locate the local brew pubs and acclimate ourselves to the altitude ( a great idea!) The Backcountry Brew Pub provided lunch and shelter from a thunderstorm. Dinner was enjoyed at BAC member Mike and Monique Mustard's home in Frisco. Day 2 began the first of many climbs the ride held in store for our intrepid group of 12. And so our days went. Each day a challenge and more beautiful than the last. Leadville, Independence Pass to Aspen, Redstone, Cedaredge and Montrose ( a one room schoolhouse converted to a B & B).

The climbing was incredible.

Ouray was yet another charming western town with great food and a chance for adventures on and off the bicycle. John climbed the additional 4000 feet to Red Mountain

Pass, Mike and Bo jeeped the surrounding mountain terrain and Les and Patti ventured into the beautiful Box Canion.

Telluride was our next stop and a day off to rest and enjoy this beautiful mountainside town. The gondola was very exciting in the thunderstorm! The next morning our bicycles went with us on the gondola and we began our ride to Dolores

from the top… well almost the top. This day held a climb to Lizard Head Pass and then a long downhill .

On to Mesa Verde National Park and great tour of the Cliff Houses. We enjoyed a

farewell dinner overlooking the beautiful park.

Mary Ellen and Jim Shaughnessy led our fun loving, energetic group up the Colorado Mountains, down into the Valleys and into the brew pubs graciously, with style and efficiency. This was a well run , challenging ride with great scenery, good food and excellent accommodations.