Gladius

We parked at the Potash plant, rode past Thelma & Louise up the Shafer switchbacks. Initially our plan was to ride back down the way we came but we decided to just continue on out of Island in the Sky past Dead Horse and back around to the cars. About 18 miles of unpaved (and all of the climbing). The rest was about 40 miles of paved road. Only after the fact did I find out that we could have taken a right at Dead Horse and ridden gravel back down, cutting about 20 miles off our route...live and learn.
The switchbacks were tough but mostly just long. That part of the road was probably the best condition, and riding along the rim at the top was fantastic.

The next day, we did Hurrah Pass to Chicken Corner. That was an entirely different story. Not nearly as steep but much more difficult terrain, including a lot of sand. Some of which we were able to ride through, some not so much. Thankful for all the offroaders who kept offering us water, because I went through 2 camelbaks+4 bottles in the 45 mile trip.

rosefarts

And just to keep us realistic here, https://durangoherald.com/articles/270109

Chinghis

OK, waitaminute ... there's a technique in the second picture that I've never seen or heard of, and that I'm sure would have disaster written all over it if I tried it.

That's a very aero position - what are his hands resting on? The tops of his shock .... Is this something that pro racers do? At first, I thought he had bar ends or something welded to the frame to let him get down that low. But, no, his hands are on the shock.

blazin

It is a commonly used position in XC MTB racing meant to put the rider in a more aero position during less technical sections.

Specialized actually tested this position versus several others:

https://bikerumor.com/2018/08/08/win...leadville-100/

Chinghis

Huh, thanks. Guess I haven't been hanging around MTB races lately. I'm glad they admitted that it "might be a little sketchy, handling-wise". I know it would be, for me. I do their last position all the time screaming down hills , tucking my elbows in more than their test rider did. I'm riding a rigid fork right now, so it's kind of a moot point.

tsmorr

Is there some reason he couldn't just do drops?

He's got sponsorship, I imagine someone could do one-off bars for him.

TimothyH

17.4 MPH average!!!