Utah & Colorado MTB Trip
Day 3 Colorado National Monument

Rim Rock Drive climbs the canyons of the Colorado National Monument.

Dave, Steve and I picked up Lorraine at the airport in Grand Junction. Javi and Richard stayed back in Moab. After meeting Lorraine we drove to the Colorado National Monument for a road ride on our mountain bikes.

The Colorado National Monument is located near Frujita, Colorado. The monument contains many interesting canyons and rock formations. The main attraction for us was Rim Rock Drive; a 23-mile paved road through the monument. Rim Rock drive climbs a total of 2300 feet, with spectacular views of the canyons and the Grand Valley.

I drove the van to the Visitor's Center, our starting point in the park. I was a little nervous driving a large vehicle on the narrow winding road. There were places, where you'd easily plummet 1000 feet straight down if you missed a curve.

Balance Rock and canyon walls near sunset.

We set off on a 35-mile loop connecting Rim Rock Drive with roads outside the Monument. We found plenty of overlooks for pictures. The descent out of the park was wild. We went through several hairpin turns and a tunnel. The pavement was fresh. The rolling resistance of our knobbies limited our speeds. Had, I been thinking, I should've mounted slicks for this ride. I'd love to come back here some day and do this ride on my road bike.

We got down to the valley and rode flat roads for about 10 miles to the park entrance. We amused ourselves watching the prairie dogs in the fields along the way. Now, we began our climb back up to the visitor's center. By this time, the day was getting late. The setting sun was throwing nice color on the canyon walls.

We arrived back at the visitor's center just before sunset. We watched the setting sun as we drove out of the park on our way back to Moab.

Continue to Day 4

Introduction
Day 1 Porcupine Rim
Day 2 Slick Rock Trail, Gemini Bridges and Dead Horse Point S.P.
Day 3 Colorado National Monument
Day 4 Jughandle Loop
Day 5 Telluride Colorado to Last Dollar Pass
Day 6 Uncompaghre Plateau
Day 7 Uncompaghre Plateau
Day 8 Uncompaghre Plateau
Day 9 Gateway Colorado and John Brown Canyon
Day 10 Sand Flats Road to Moab
Day 11 Arches National Park