Growler…thank god it didn’t rain

• 64 miles
• 8450’ vert
• 5:59:18
• 2^nd SS

Instead of upholding Memorial Day tradition by skiing/hiking Deseret Peak, Ava and I went to Gunnison, CO for the Growler.  Planning to camp in Fruita Friday night, we were greeted with a double rainbow and a gnarly thunderstorm as we crossed the state line.  The skies finally cleared the next morning for us to enjoy some hiking in Colorado National Monument, which is a very underrated national park in my opinion. 

Please don't feed the wildlife!

The Growler course spans the Hartman Rocks recreation area just SW of Gunnison, and consists of two 32ish mile laps through granite rock outcroppings and sagebrush.  Warming up in 30-degree temps at the start, we all crossed our fingers for dry weather as it had rained the day before and was forecasted to rain again.  Fortunately, the biking gods smiled upon us by giving us dry conditions for the day with tacky brown pow.  

Up, up, and up

Our neutral 2.5-mile rollout started after a shot from some cowboy’s shotgun, and continued until we hit dirt at the base of the bastard climb up Kill Hill.  This initial climb and the following double track nicely spread out the 350 racers before hitting the singletrack. 

Gearing is always an issue with singlespeeding, and unless you are familiar with the course, it’s hard to judge which ratio will work best.  With that said, my short pre-ride the day before and more so my laziness, I decided to stick with the 34x19…in hindsight I should’ve thrown the 20t cog on.  The climbs were not long and gradual, but more short and punchy, so that combined with the altitude made for some spicy legs and hike-a-bikes (I would have been hiking those sections no matter the gear).

Finally, I get to use the restroom

Anyway, I was in the ss lead for the entire first lap, but coming into the lap aid station, local rider Brad Berger was hot on my heels.  We rode together for maybe half of the second lap before he passed me, eventually finishing about 3.5 minutes before me in 1^st.  I don’t’ recall seeing the other ss racers, but I knew I couldn’t let off the gas for they were probably pretty close behind. 

Overall, Hartman Rocks is an awesome place to ride and would be a sweet addition to a Crested Butte biking trip.  As for the Growler, super tough race with great competition and wonderful organizers/volunteers. 

To finish out the weekend, we did some hiking along the North Rim in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP.   The views here easily rival the scenery seen in southern Utah.  We were quite impressed to say the least. 

I guess this is kinda cool

Edge awareness!

"Why did Cole make ME carry the water?" -Ava probably