Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Longish Weekend Ride

Here is the ride that I did yesterday from my house in Fort Collins, Colorado to Estes Park and part of Rocky Mountain National Park. Except for the switchbacks at the top of one pass, it was a casual ride, and I stopped for lots of photographs. Being in good enough shape to be able to enjoy 1/2 day trips like this makes all of the hard and targeted training during the earlier part of the season more than worth it. The only way that it could be better, is if I could take a few days off of work and do a tour this Fall, but this is my busy time of year at work. I will knock out as many weekend day-trips as possible before the first hard frost occurs.

Here is the route on mapmyride.com, ride details using my computer and HRM, and some pictures from the ride.

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/co/fort-collins/272202872

Ride Details:
Total Distance: 92.2 miles (a little further than mapmyride, due to riding at rest stops, etc.)
Average Speed: 16.6 mph (includes stopping for pictures and 3 restroom breaks)
Total Time: 5 hours 56 minutes
Average Heart Rate: 139 bpm
Total Calories Burned: 5070 kcal

The entrance to the Big Thompson Canyon, complete with giant water pipe and tourist trap.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l47/faganj/thompson_bottom_small.jpg

Typical view going up the Big Thompson Canyon (next 14 miles or so).
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l47/faganj/thompson_middle_small.jpg

Some younger big-horn sheep along the side of the road, just before the town of Drake, Colorado.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l47/faganj/bighorn_sheep_small.jpg

Looking down at switch-backs just above the town of Glen Haven, Colorado (very, very difficult for me after 20 miles of continuous climbing).
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l47/faganj/glen_haven_small.jpg

View of the town of Estes Park, Longs Peak, and surrounding Rocky Mountains from the top of the pass just above the town of Glen Haven.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l47/faganj/esetes_park_small.jpg

The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, where they shot the 1970s film The Shining.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l47/faganj/stanley_hotel_small.jpg

Lake Estes on the way back home after a bite to eat.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l47/faganj/estes_lake_small.jpg

Nice ride and great pictures! They remind me of my brief time in Colorado - we rode a loop from Lyons/AllensPark/Estes Park several times.

I recall some pretty spectacular descents - I trust you wore a helmut.

"The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, where they shot the 1970s film The Shining...."

Actually, it's where the 1990s remake was filmed and the original King story was set. The exterior used in the Kubrick film was Timberline Lodge in Oregon.

But that looks like an awesome ride! Nice pix!

I've been wondering since we moved here over 10 years ago, why it looks so much different than the hotel in the original movie. Thanks. I thought that maybe they had changed the grounds outside, or something like that. They really play-up the link to the movie and the book in the town and around the hotel. I never bothered to read too much about it, though. Hmmmmm.


"The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, where they shot the 1970s film The Shining...."

Actually, it's where the 1990s remake was filmed and the original King story was set. The exterior used in the Kubrick film was Timberline Lodge in Oregon.

But that looks like an awesome ride! Nice pix!

That looks an amazing ride. The scenery looks great with a few good ascents as well.