Five of us North Texas cyclists headed off to the 2011 Bicycle Tour of Colorado, a six day / 450 mile tour through the Rockies the 3rd week in June. Day 2 was the most anticipated ride from Estes Park to Granby along Trail Ridge Road with more than eight miles lying above 11,000′ and a maximum elevation of 12,183′. A snow storm closed the road four days prior to our ride day, so we waited in anticipation for whether the Park Rangers would open it an let us ride. We were told we could leave Estes Park, ride to a point at 11,000′ and await the final decision.
We waited there approx. 45 minutes with temps around 40 degrees and winds blowing 20 mph. The cloud cover increasing but the Rangers decided to let us through. Three of us in the group made it up and over the summit, but paid a steep price of riding in 30 degree temps, with 30 mph winds, and freezing rain.
I’ve never been so cold or wet on a bike as I was on the descent! Soon after the road was opened, the Park Rangers reversed their decision and closed road at the summit deciding the descent was too dangerous. That decision forced hundred riders into the summit souvenir shop to await buses to shuttle them into Granby (see picture three).
Definitely the most memorable ride of 2011!
