Monarch Crest Trail, Salida Colorado

[Rod B.]

I have a question which I am hopeful the Rise group can help me with.

Mid September, my buddies and I will be doing a 12 day mountain bike road trip across the United States from California to Bentonville Arkansas. Along the way, we will be stopping at various locations to ride, including Salida Colorado.

While in Salida, we plan to shuttle the Monarch Crest Trail, which is a 36 mile IMBA Epic ride.

Monarch Crest - IMBA Epic Mountain Bike Trail, Whitepine, Colorado

One of Colorado's top 5 epic rides - classic high-altitude riding in the Rockies! Near Whitepine, Colorado.

www.mtbproject.com

Having never ridden the Monarch, I am uncertain if my Rise can cover the whole ride on just the internal battery and range extender. I can easily do 36 miles, however also factoring in the over 2,000 feet of elevation gain has me wondering.

I do have access to a second range extender which I could carry in my pack as a backup. I’d rather not carrying the brick if I can avoid it.

Has anybody shuttled the Monarch on their Rise via Monarch Pass, Silver Creek, Rainbow to Poncha Springs? If so, what was your battery situation?

Thanks
Rod

 

[YokoOno]

I have a question which I am hopeful the Rise group can help me with.

Mid September, my buddies and I will be doing a 12 day mountain bike road trip across the United States from California to Bentonville Arkansas. Along the way, we will be stopping at various locations to ride, including Salida Colorado.

While in Salida, we plan to shuttle the Monarch Crest Trail, which is a 36 mile IMBA Epic ride.

Monarch Crest - IMBA Epic Mountain Bike Trail, Whitepine, Colorado

One of Colorado's top 5 epic rides - classic high-altitude riding in the Rockies! Near Whitepine, Colorado.

www.mtbproject.com

Having never ridden the Monarch, I am uncertain if my Rise can cover the whole ride on just the internal battery and range extender. I can easily do 36 miles, however also factoring in the over 2,000 feet of elevation gain has me wondering.

I do have access to a second range extender which I could carry in my pack as a backup. I’d rather not carrying the brick if I can avoid it.

Has anybody shuttled the Monarch on their Rise via Monarch Pass, Silver Creek, Rainbow to Poncha Springs? If so, what was your battery situation?

Thanks
Rod

I've "pedaled" Monarch Crest multiple times, including Rainbow trail down to Poncha.
Put the battery anxiety aside. You'll have ample power to spare. No need for an extender, let alone two. Bring one if concerned but you won't need it.
most of the climbing is gentle, and can easily be done in Eco mode, but you really don't need to conserve battery there.

While in the area, you may want to consider Kenosha pass to Jeff Creek loop. I'd reckon that, with an extender, you could do an all time epic ride from Kenosha to Breck, and back again - although running out of juice on that would not be fun.

The Salida Mtn trails are A+ but e-bikes are highly frowned upon with ample posting not to do it.

 

[YokoOno]

Also, if you're up for something truly EPIC that is extender worthy, Canyon Creek Loop is top of the list.

Canyon Creek Loop Mountain Bike Trail, Whitepine, Colorado

A grueling road climb up to tree line then a big hike-a-bike followed by tasteful descending. Near Whitepine, Colorado.

www.mtbproject.com

 

[Rod B.]

Also, if you're up for something truly EPIC that is extender worthy, Canyon Creek Loop is top of the list.

Canyon Creek Loop Mountain Bike Trail, Whitepine, Colorado

A grueling road climb up to tree line then a big hike-a-bike followed by tasteful descending. Near Whitepine, Colorado.

www.mtbproject.com

YokoOno,

Thank you for responding. That's such great news in regards to the battery. Unfortunately, we'll only be in Salida for the day. Canyon Creek Loop sounds like a bad ass ride. I like a good suffer fest ride.

My buddy has a house in Hurricane Utah where we'll be starting out. We plan on hitting Richfield's Pahvant trails and stopping in Grand Junction to ride before heading to Salida and lastly Longmont to visit family. You wouldn't think it, but Kansas has a really good trail called the Switchgrass Epic. On the way back from Bentonville, we are stopping in Santa Fe to ride Glorieta Camp trails and then Durango and Cortez Colorado, to ride Phil's World.

I'm unsure about where to ride in Durango. It seems most of the trails are off limits to eBikes except for a few green trail in the Twin Buttes trail system. I'd rather not give the city my tourist dollars if they don't allow eMTB. I'm a courteous rider, I'm law abiding, I like to say Hi to people on the trail and I know trail etiquette. However, at this stage in the game, I'm over being told where to ride on my eBike.

 

[YokoOno]

Sounds like a great trip. I live close to Longmont - if time allows, there's fantastic riding up at South St Vrain/Sourdough area, or a bit north in Fort Collins is Horestooth park.

Yeah, you'll have zero worries on Monarch. I bet you could do it twice on stock battery if you pace the battery usage.

That Kansas footage resembles parts of Horsetooth/Shoreline trails in Fort Collins

Have fun !

ps: i've only "pedaled" Durango but am too told that they aren't particularly e-friendly....yet

 

[IronScott]

Agree with Yoko. I did Monarch last year on my regular pedal bike. It's more climbing than one would think but easily doable with your built-in battery. I thought some parts of the entire route were e-bike friendly but some not. Maybe I'm misremembering, though. I do know dirt bikes are allowed on part of it and I encountered them. No problem but something to be aware of.

Definitely a fun ride.

I've heard Switchgrass is a blast as well. Definitely worth your time.