Mosquito Pass on a gravel bike
08-20-21, 09:26 PM
#1
With a mighty wind
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Mosquito Pass on a gravel bike
I have a history of jumping into rides that are beyond my fitness and not bringing enough bike for the job. Today was one for the books.
8:00am, 43 degrees and howling wind. Yes, that is fresh snow you see.
I haven’t been bringing a long sleeve, windbreaker, or knee warmers for a long time. I don’t know why I threw them in today but had I forgotten, this suffer fest never would have happened.
Overall, my hands were too cold to take many pictures. By the time it warmed up on Weston Pass, I was just too damn tired.
I did put my gloved hand on my rotor for a second and melted it. The heat expanded whatever water or air was in there and pushed the caliper. Never rubbed but drastically changed my throw. It’s fine, now for the pics
For the discussion about which bike to bring. My honest answer is blasphemy.
For Mosquito Pass, an old Honda Trail 90 or similar small and light motorcycle that has an extra low crawling gear.
Switch out in Leadville for a gravel bike. Finish on that.
That’s my final answer on that.
I hurt.
8:00am, 43 degrees and howling wind. Yes, that is fresh snow you see.
I haven’t been bringing a long sleeve, windbreaker, or knee warmers for a long time. I don’t know why I threw them in today but had I forgotten, this suffer fest never would have happened.
Overall, my hands were too cold to take many pictures. By the time it warmed up on Weston Pass, I was just too damn tired.
I did put my gloved hand on my rotor for a second and melted it. The heat expanded whatever water or air was in there and pushed the caliper. Never rubbed but drastically changed my throw. It’s fine, now for the pics
For the discussion about which bike to bring. My honest answer is blasphemy.
For Mosquito Pass, an old Honda Trail 90 or similar small and light motorcycle that has an extra low crawling gear.
Switch out in Leadville for a gravel bike. Finish on that.
That’s my final answer on that.
I hurt.
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08-21-21, 06:28 AM
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Cool pics and story! No bike bag or water bottles, don't you eat or drink?
08-21-21, 07:17 AM
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With a mighty wind
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I normally carry one small bag big enough for a spare tube and tools. Once I looked at the food and extras for this ride, I realized that I pretty much had to bring my camelback for the ride. So my bike got to spend the day all nekkid and sexy.
08-21-21, 06:44 PM
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Bikes: Co-Motion Cappuccino Tandem,'88 Bob Jackson Touring, Co-Motion Cascadia Touring, Open U.P., Ritchie Titanium Breakaway, Frances Cycles SmallHaul cargo bike. Those are the permanent ones; others wander in and out of the stable occasionally as well.
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Nice Ritchey!
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08-21-21, 07:49 PM
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Like the photos. When I saw the altitudes you were riding... I had trouble breathing just sitting in front of my computer.
08-21-21, 07:58 PM
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Thanks for the photos, and the story. We salute your fortitude!
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08-25-21, 01:57 AM
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Honda Trail 90... now we are talking about a serious piece of kit 
what tyres though?
what tyres though?
08-25-21, 05:12 AM
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That's some seriously rocky terrain. I have found it's really difficult to convey how rough rocks are in pictures.
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08-25-21, 10:06 AM
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When we went dumb and dumber style to get to a rock wall in the South Platte, we got there with way less effort than driving that road and didn’t stop laughing the whole time.
