Thread by @IR_Doctor

Recently, the cumulative stresses of #iRad work reached a fever pitch, & I began itching for some adventure. I planned out a 150 mile (240 km) route from Denver into the mountains to camp. I asked around, but no one else could go, so it became my first solo #bikepacking trip.

But first! I would have to pack. And I'm a VERY slow packer for these trips. There's a LOT to put on a bike for a trip like this. Bags on the frame, handlebar, fork, seat, top top, etc. I calculated I needed to carry 2.5 L of H2O and planned to filter river water several times.

I slept restlessly the night before with thoughts of mountain lions, bears, thirst, mechanicals, and mountain rain storms battling my need for a good night's rest. I left later than expected, around 0900 am and got on the trail, a nice tailwind lifting my high spirits higher.

The route would take me along the South Platte River on path, past Chatfield Reservoir and up Waterton Canyon on smooth gravel roads. At the dam, I'd take the single track of the beautiful Colorado Trail Segment 1 up and over the front range foothills back down to the river.

Segment one of the CoT is beautiful but somewhat difficult, with 2800 ft climbing over 18 miles of single track. Most is rideable, even on a fully loaded bike pack rig. There are 33 segments of the CoT covering 486 miles and 89,000 ft of climbing. Someday, I'd like to do it all.

I arrived at my lunch spot hungry and ready for a little break. I cooked a chicken curry MRE and enjoyed it while looking out over the Hayman Fire burn area and CoT segment 2. That fire burned over 138k acres in 2002, largest in history then. Several fires since have been larger.

After lunch, it was a rip-roaring descent to the South Platte again, a nice gravel road ride along the river, then some asphalt to the tiny fly-fishing town of Deckers, where I'd fill up with water and get a lemonade.

From Deckers, it was another big climb but this time on deserted gravel roads that would take me up to Cheesman Reservoir (supplies water to Denver etc), and into the wilderness where I would find a camp. This charred landscape is eerily beautiful and gives a sense of scale.

The roads back there are steep and full of washboarding. Some pitches are up to 20%, but it's all rideable with a little grunting and stubbornness.

Finally, after all the climbing, the rounds actually went DOWN for a welcomed change. The skies were getting dark, but the rain held back, and I stayed dry.

Coming in to my favorite part of the ride on this day. I was getting close to a point where I would start looking for a place to pitch my 1 person tent and make camp for the night. It was about 430 pm.

I found an unmarked little trail that went down to Goose Creek, and luckily found a wild camp spot where someone had made a fire ring. This is the best of bikepacking, finding a free remote camping spot right by fresh water. I set up camp and cleaned up in the river.

I went for a walk, fixed dinner, journaled, and had a swig of bourbon that I'd carried so far. Then I journaled some more. I had a lot of time to kill before the Lunar Eclipse would occur.

When the moon finally rose, I scrambled up the embankment with my iPhone 11 Pro, Leica D-Lux 7, and a GoPro 7. I watched with wonder as the moon moved through the Earth's shadow. The stars were brilliant. There was ZERO light pollution, and I heard only my heartbeat and breathing

I crawled into my tent, pulled the quilt up, and tucked in for a good chilly night's sleep. The Therm-a-Rest Neo X-Lite mattress and Vesper 20 quilt kept me warm. I had a lot to think about, but I slept soundly and far past sunrise.

In the morning, I made coffee, filtered water from the chatty creek, broke camp, & threw my leg over the saddle, ready for the 82 mile 5000 ft day ahead. I would cover a lot of gravel and paved roads today, a small amount of single track. I saw this guy up above my camp.

I had a lot of climbing to do, going up and over Stoney Pass to Buffalo Creek (trails!!), and back up Foxton Road to Denver. My legs were tired, and my heart rate was low all day, proof of severe fatigue.

Stoney Pass was a total riot. A long sustained climb, fast descent, then another 1000 ft climb to the summit, and a water crossing.

HUGE descent through Buffalo Creek was up next. I was really enjoying this. I took a little detour so that I could do some more Single Track. I filtered water, stopped for snacks at the MTB trailhead. Next up was asphalt along Platte River, Foxton climb, then lunch in Evergreen.

The rest was all downhill or flat. I stopped by Holly's school and rode with her on her 16 mile commute, sharing my experiences and elation along the way. It was hard to believe I was back already, having gone so far so quickly. I quickly showered, and we went for margs.

It was a great trip. I pushed myself past known boundaries of self reliance and determination. I didn't get eaten by a mountain lion (but I did bring a big knife), and I didn't get Giardia. I'm still processing the sights, smells, and feelings of such an adventure and am grateful

@threadreaderapp unroll