SALIDA, CO – 30 Minute Special Edition: Mountain Biking The Monarch Crest IMBA Epic. Yes!!! We ride the whole 36 mile Monarch Crest. This includes the Monarch Crest, Colorado Trail, Silver Creek, and Rainbow Trails to US Hwy 285. Riding in collaboration with Mr. Tonka, Trail Features, JF Rides, The Crashing Dad, No Front Brakes, and Jason Bikes.
High Valley Shuttle: https://www.monarchcrest.com (9/5/2018) High Valley Shuttle has no remaining USFS permits for the Monarch Crest Shuttle Service.
Jason Bikes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDZidfh6uOyC7Zv486AUqQQ
No Front Brakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2e9JrZHH6gVcAq2HSspKKw
Mr. Tonka: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDwGPugX6uNIUnxGgtde5hQ
Trail Features: https://www.youtube.com/user/c0mpu73rb0y
JF Rides: https://www.youtube.com/user/flanaganj1
The Crashing Dad: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0EYzvqKgbXUq_n8OXnOX4A
The Monarch Crest Trail System is a serviceable ride area between Gunnison and Salida Colorado for anyone looking to beat the heat with epic alpine downhills. In essence, there are so much options to ride in this area, however, Eric Scott wanted to ride the Big One, the IMBA Epic. I’m sure there are many legitimate names for sections of the Monarch Crest, but because I lived in Salida prior to my mountain biking career, I have no idea what these sections are called by locals. That said there can be incorrect information, something I try desperately to avoid.
Any time you see the title IMBA Epic, you can easily come to a conclusion that it’s going to be a big ride and a big ride it was. An epic day that was a “dog fight” ride from the beginning to the end. The forecast laid out the groundwork for flawless 75 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny day. Yet, that could be further from the truth as rare morning thunderstorms began punching through the troposphere very early in the morning. Had the forecast A) called for thunderstorms B) not called for drier air in the early afternoon, we likely would not have ridden the trail.
Being Youtubers, we took a great many breaks for drones and batteries and our overall ride time was well above average. I’d say average riders need 6 hours to complete with good preparedness.
To make this ride happen, you’ll likely need a shuttle. Self shuttling to the pass is a viable option, but more than likely you’ll need services from Poncha Springs. High Valley Shuttle is what we used for $35. https://www.monarchcrest.com
My Bike Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUwgQCqUuNs&t=25s
Drones Situation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBkYyp6oitY&t=1s