EPIC COLORADO DAY TRIPS – FROM THE FRONT RANGE UP AND OVER THE DIVIDE
HIGH ALT SINGLETRACK
NEW BIKE ALERT
REEB DIKYELOUS 27.5” BOOST Fat tires and PHAT lines, Mike Murfitt pilots this new rig over some impressive terrain.
FEATURED RIDE
Three Hours from the Denver Metro Area this is a must for anyone looking for a ride packed with history, amazing views, and a killer decent. *hike a bike required.
ISSUE
ALPINE TUNNEL LOOP 00
OVERVIEW This ride has it all. A historic ghost town,
NEED TO KNOW Since much of this trail traverse high alpine
railroad history, primitive high alpine singletrack and a fantastic descent.
tundra at 12k feet, it usually won't be snow free until sometime in June or even July. Consequently it will also be under snow much earlier than most rides as well.
The traffic on this trail is surprisingly low given the uniqueness of the singletrack and history surrounding the area. Go during the fall to get a special experience of fall color in the aspens and alpine tundra.
*info from MTBProject.com
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HIGH ALT SINGLETRACK
DESCRIPTION This ride starts in the historic ghost town of St. Elmo. Ride Southeast on Forest Service Road 295. This is the old historic Denver/South Park railroad grade. Since it's a railroad grade, the climb is gradual and easy. After around 6 miles, you'll pass by the old townsite of Hancock. Look for a bridge and cross it. From here, look for the Alpine Tunnel trail sign. You'll now be on the Tunnel Lake Trail singletrack. Ride east for about 2 miles then look for a trail sign for the Continental Divide Trail to your left and take this trail. The next 1/2 climbs steeply up to the saddle where you'll come to another signed trail junction. Take a ride to stay on the CDT. If you feel like you have the energy and time, you can stay straight on this trail (Alpine Tunnel Connector) which will drop down around 400ft and 3/4 mile off the saddle down to the west portal of the Alpine Tunnel. This short out and back is well worth the effort as there is an old restored rail station with multiple photographs and artifacts available to view inside. It also makes for a nice
18.0 2,437’ -2,447’ 9,980’ 12,308’ 5% 22% 40%
lunch spot and a shelter from the wind. While on the CDT enjoy the primitive singletrack and amazing views all around. The first 1.5 mi climbs up to a saddle steeply at times. Soak in the view of Tunnel Lake to your ride and enjoy this unique piece of singletrack that can be overgrown and grassy at times. Once the climb up the saddle is finished you'll have a fairly technical, fun and rocky descent. After the quick descent is done you'll have 1 more fairly short and quick climb before the trail flattens and rolls along the alpine tundra. The next part of the trail is the reward. The descent starts out with a few drainage step downs and above tree line rolling tundra. After a short while you'll enter the trees and the trail will become very smooth, flowy and fast. Be careful with speed here as the switchbacks come up quickly and turns are sometimes sharp. Near the end you'll cross a wooden bridge over a stream and eventually end up at a dirt road (FS 267). Take a right here and follow it back to St. Elmo and your car.
MILES ASCENT DESCENT LOW HIGH AVG GRADE (3°) MAX GRADE (12°) SINGLETRACK
ISSUE 00 : Alpine Tunnel Loop
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As you ascend the Continental Divide Trail the views get better and better. This was taken about 3/4 ways up the climb facing downhill, so it’s tempting to keep peeking over your shoulder the entire way up.
RIDERS
Mike Murfitt Jr. 4
Mike Murfitt Sr. HIGH ALT SINGLETRACK
Aaron Cholewa
ISSUE 00 : Alpine Tunnel Loop
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01
ALPINE TUNNEL
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A short out and back off of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) makes for a great little pit stop part way through the ride. You can check out the collapsed tunnel, restored telegraph building, old railroad tracks and have a quick beer while you sight see.
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01 The old telegraph building sits just a few hundred yards away from the collapsed tunnel. The slope in the background of this photo is where you descend (then hike-a-bike back up) from the CDT. 02 Don’t forget to sign-in. Mike Murfitt Jr. got creative with his name – if you spot his be sure to let him know on Twitter @bmxmurfitt. 03 The building is beautifully restored and makes for a great shelter from the elements if you need it. Well designed informational boards are also worth reading, the history here is incredible. 04 Take notes from Sr. Pack a Dales Pale Ale. #hellYa 05 Fat Tires. Skinny Rail. Mike Murfitt Jr. rides the rails on the Reeb Dikyelous 27.5” Boost.
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HIGH ALT SINGLETRACK
05 ISSUE 00 : Alpine Tunnel Loop
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REEB CYCLES DIKYELOUS 27.5” BOOST REEB Cycles has continued their American Made steel innovation by adding a 27.5” BOOST frame to their existing REEB ABT 29” Dikyelous Mountain Bike offering. The BOOST standard is comprised of a 148x12mm (compared to the standard 142x12mm) rear end and a 110x15mm fork on the 27.5” tire platform. The chainline has been pushed out 3mm from the standard REEB Dikyelous to accommodate larger tires, but still retains the traditional 73mm Bottom Bracket shell. An additional advantage of the 27.5” BOOST standard is the hub flange width has been increased, which results in a stronger wheel. The pictured 27.5” BOOST concept is set up on Velocity Dually 40mm wide rims and fits a new generation of Maxxis CHRONICLE 27.5” x 3” tires while creating the most effective application for a traditional drivetrain or the Gates Carbon Drive system. Tried & true trail inspired REEB ABT Dikyelous geometry will remain the same for both 29” and 27.5” BOOST models. In September of 2014 REEB Cycles announced the REEB ABT tubeset. An American Made proprietary tube set in partnership with True Temper Bicycle and Henry James Bicycles. The tube set continues REEB’s desire to modernize American made steel hardtail mountain bikes into the aggressive Trail Riding / All Mountain genre. In addition to the 44mm Paragon Machine Works headtube the front triangle of the REEB ABT (#REEBabt) tube set uses the first American Made steel seat tube (REEBst) to accommodate a 31.6mm seatpost & 1” down tube (REEBdt). The seat tube allows more options for dropper seat posts and paired with the down tube pushes the strength & stiffness of the frame to accommodate the ever growing options of long-travel forks while providing a stable bottom bracket to enhance the accuracy of the bike & use of the Gates Carbon Drive system options.
#REEBdikyelous #REEBdikyelousBOOST #650bBOOST #REEBabt
ROLLS OVER ROCKS LIKE A MONSTER TRUCK BUT HANDLES LIKE A BMX. THIS BIKE IS TOO FUN
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HIGH ALT SINGLETRACK
DESCENDING THE DIVIDE
Fast, narrow and rocky single track makes the decent from the high point one of the most fun sections of trail. It’s easy to get ahead of yourself on this one, just remember to keep the brakes cool. ISSUE 00 : Alpine Tunnel Loop
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PHOTO OF THE DAY
Mike Murfitt Jr. wheelies his way across the continental divide on his Reeb Dikyelous 27.5� BOOST.
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HIGH ALT SINGLETRACK
ISSUE 00 : Alpine Tunnel Loop
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PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN BY MICHAEL ELDRIDGE MICHAEL@ASPECTNINE.CO | 720.839.3686 | @ASPECTNINEDESIGN