On September 3rd, we took our Mountain Bikes to Twin Lakes. Remember this is my third time actually mountain biking. We started the ride on the wrong route. The directions that they have aren’t the greatest. So we head down this “faint single track trail” that we were looking for and well lets just say it was not a single-track trail. It was a loose gravel road and that’s where Nathan had his first “fall”. So after riding a little further we decided that we didn’t think this was the right trail we were looking for. So we turned around and headed back to the road. We found another single-track trail hoping this was the one that they meant. In the end it wasn’t but managed to meet up with the one we needed and were able to start following the directions that we received. We followed the non-wooded single-track trail halfway around the lake. It was nice for me to try and get used to. We finally hit some wooded trails and I actually enjoyed mountain biking!! There were a few big hills that did me in, but I never had to get off my bike! The view was unbelievable! We came to this old village called Inter-Laken. They are trying to redo this little village so people can use it for Weddings or actually stay overnight in this house they are fixing up. While we were taking alittle rest at this village we could see some storm clouds filling in! So we decided to get going. There were a few creeks for us to go through. One or two of them were a little deeper than we thought! Once we went through these creeks we hit the more “technical” part of the ride. We weren’t sure what they meant by “technical” but boy oh boy did they mean TECHNICAL! I of course had lots of trouble. I think I ended up walking my back the last 4 of the 5 miles that we had left. I did end up hitting a rock making my front tire basically stop, which then caused me to go over my handlebars. Since I wasn’t clipped in I didn’t really fall on my face. I was able to catch myself. I did get a little bruise on my thigh and the pedal did jab my knee giving myself a little scrap. My bike on the other hand tumbled down the hill. When I got to my bike, I started to get on it and realized that my brakes were facing towards me. I walked my bike over to Nathan telling him that we had a HUGE issue! I was thinking that I was going to have to walk the whole way back (which in the end I did because it was so difficult.) He looked at me and took my bike and was like what happened. Then he took my bike and turned my handlebars 180 degrees. Yea I looked like an idiot! Sure gave us something to laugh about especially since Nathan wasn’t having such a great time with his bike either. He ended up with a lot more scrapes and bruises than I did. Let’s just say he was not a happy camper! In the end we had no more pictures of this ride. I am sure Nathan will tell you all about it!
On Friday we decided to climb Mount Elbert. Mount Elbert has an elevation of 14,433 feet. We started our hike around 7:15 AM. It took us 4 hours to make it to the summit. We met quite a few people on our way up and met some wildlife that followed us to the tree lines. I will post some pictures of our bird friends. We stayed up on the summit for about 30 minutes. About 200 yards from the summit we started seeing some storm clouds start to delvelop. They say that when you see clouds forming turn around and head back down the mountain. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! We are 200 yards from the top. So Nathan and I finished the hike up there. Boy I was beat when we finally got up there. But it was beautiful. I don't think our pictures gives it justice. Just so beautiful. Those storm clouds ended up giving us some lovely snow at the top of the mountain. CRAZY! Considering we started off in jeans and a long sleeved shirt. We didn't really pack accordingly for snow so I was freezing! Then on our way back down from the summit we heard some thunder!!! YIKES! Good thing we were on our way down. At about the time we got to the tree line it started raining on us. It ended up taking us half the time to get down the mountain then it did to get up. So we ended up being gone for about 6.5 hours and walked 9.5 miles! What a huge accomplishment HIKING UP MOUNT ELBERT!!!! 
Then on Saturday we rode about 15 miles in Salida on our mountain bikes. Let's just say Lindsey's legs could not function. So that bike ride pretty much sucked for me. 
Overall we had a wonderful trip to Leadville. Maybe next year some of the Schlafley team members will come with us!
Overall we had a wonderful trip to Leadville. Maybe next year some of the Schlafley team members will come with us! NEXT STOP COLUMBIA!!!! MS15O HERE WE COME!!!!
Oh, Lindsey! Great write-up and pics! I love CO & have spent time with Ann & friends in Copper. Wouldn't this be a great trip for Schlafly riders & their spouses or whatever? We need to talk next time we ride. I had the same experience climbing a "13-er" & my group made me turn back. I was so upset because I could see the summit! Hope MS150 goes super for ya!
ReplyDelete