I had the honor of spending last weekend in Telluride, I drove my son and his friend to an incredible downhill mtn bike race. While there I was able to bag another Colorado Mtn. Pass. This one was Lizard Head Pass. This area is one of only a few that inspire me in such a sense of the profound. Deep, lush valleys give way to towering peaks harboring year round snowfields. Unrelenting and peaceful, imposing and inviting, the surrounding peaks are at once massive and humble. The landscape is dotted with green meadows and miles of aspen groves, and of supreme majesty. I have wanted to ride this pass for quite some time, and this was my oppurtunity. I woke up early as usual excited and ready. The previous two weekends had been EPIC for me, my big coker ride, and then winning the marathon at NAUCC, so I was pumped.
I started the ride with the valley floor in a fog, and 40 degree’s. The birdsong was very loud and clear, and as I rode along the bike path out of town, the little birds would fly along with me. They would fly ahead to a fence post, land on it and wait till I arrived. Then would fly ahead to another one, this went on until I turned up Hwy 145 towards the summit.
The ride steepened considerably, maybe 8-9%, for 3 miles until the Telluride ski area turnoff. The scenery is staggering along this portion of the ride as Mount Wilson, Wilson Peak, and Sunshine Peak are looming to the west. I had the road to myself, one reason why I like to start early. A few cars were heading into Telluride for the Mtn Bike races. About 12 miles into the ride the road descends nearly 700’ vertical feet to the Ophir turnoff. I rested here as the scenery was too unbelievable to miss.
My favorite part of the ride was riding from the Ophir turnoff to the summit of Lizard Head pass. I was treated with more insane vistas, dropoffs, and the Ophir Needles- a well known rock climbing spot. I reached the summit with blue skies overhead, and cool crisp mountain air. It took less than two hours to summit from Telluride. The ride down was awesome, but with more traffic to deal with. The shoulders were good for almost the whole way though. I arrived back at the motorhome with a big smile on my face.
This was one of my favorite Colorado Mtn. Passes that I have ridden so far. The climbing was hard, but not sustained like some of the others. The scenery gets an 11 out of 10 though. And just “being” in the San Juans is special to me. I am very grateful to have ridden this pass.
Some stats:
34 miles long, out and back 17 miles each way.
Approximately 3,800’ vertical feet climbing
Same vertical descending
Average temperature going to summit 44 degrees
Average temperature coming down 60 degrees
Time up to summit 1 hour 45 minutes
Time back to town 1 hour 25 minutes
Average speed 10.9 mph
Nice write-up Mike. I’m envious of all the mountain riding you’re getting in. I’ve managed to put a couple hundred miles on my GB4 36 in the two months I’ve had it, but I’m guessing you got your’s later and are already well past that on mileage.
Nothing like training harder in the “off” season than you do in the winter
I too am very envious. I have been to Telluride one time many years ago. I four-wheeled and camped the trails in the area and it was amazingly scenic.
I am most envious of the temperature. I rode at 7:00 this morning to beat the heat but it was already 77 deg and very humid.
Keep up the impressive rides and the reports, with photos. I guess it is the next best thing to being there.
>>>Nothing like training harder in the “off” season than you do in the winte>>> I am very grateful to be able to ski patrol, which keeps me in shape for unicycling, or is it unicycling that keeps me in shape for ski patrolling?
>>>Keep up the impressive rides and the reports, with photos. I guess it is the next best thing to being there. >>> Thanks for the kind words, and it is fun for me to re-live the ride through my reports.
>>>Who’s taking the pictures that you’re in? >>> I take a small point and shoot camera with me, and set it up for self timer.
Cheers
Great ride. I only hope to be able to ride at that level one day. I did have the pleasure of going over Lizard Head a couple of weeks ago in my old VW van with a tired engine. I bet you got up faster than I did.
There’s no need to go fast up that road, you would have missed the scenery. You ride in Flag? My nephew Kai uni’s there, do you know of him? I went to college there, (I attended the SnowBowl more than I attended NAU). Cheers.
Hi Mike, I’m sory we weren’t able to get together for a ride with you on sunday, Jon, Kattie and myself ended up riding the Jud Weibi trail above Telluride. It looks like you had a good ride on Lizard Head, I’m impressed. Dan.
Dan, Jon, and Kattie, Thank you for trying, I know that it was such a short notice from me, sorry. I was thinking that my sons start time for the downhill was going to be later in the day, which would have freed me up for the MUni ride w/ you guys. I really wanted to go, but between the early start time, my dog being ill at home, and me working a serious crash, (I witnessed it, and I’m a EMT) on the downhill course my time was spent. Next time I will give you guys a better heads up. You live in a beautiful area, thanks for sharing the positive vibes with me.
Cheers
I don’t think I’ve met your nephew. I’ve seen a few uni riders here but I’ve not been in a position to pull over and introduce myself yet. I tried to send you a pm with a little more talk about Flagstaff just to avoid threadjacking but I’m not sure my pm’s are getting sent correctly. Do me a favor and check your pm’s would you?
