Please make sure to read all rules for this. This is fully unsupported and you will need to be self-sufficient in order to complete this. The rules are located HERE.
Earn your turns and ride 5 amazing descents in a day on this tour of the Monarch Crest area (Fooses, Crest, Silver Creek, Starvation & Greens). Don’t be afraid to ride your big bike with grippy tires and a dropper post to maximize the fun!
Start on Monarch Pass and ride Crest Trail to S. Fooses. ->Descend S. Fooses and climb back up N. Fooses dirt road to reconnect with the Crest Trail. Follow Crest Trail passing by Marshall Pass to Silver Creek. ->Descend Silver Creek and take Rainbow Trail to Hwy 285. Make an immediate left Climb back up Marshall Pass Rd back to the top of Marshall Pass. ->Descend Starvation and climb back up Poncha Creek Rd back to Marshall Pass. Climb backwards up the Crest Trail to Greens. ->Descend Greens Creek Trail and finish at the Poncha Springs Visitors Center.
Unfortunately High Valley Shuttle can’t help us this year, use the forum to share rides and help get everyone to the top. Car pool from the visitors center on the corner of 285 and 50. Before the ride please sign up before the start at the visitors center parking lot from 5:00 am to 5:30 am or at the start from 6:00 am till 6:15 am. When you get done your ride (regardless of how far you got) please sign out on the registration sheet that will be left at the visitors center.
Looking for volunteers to help with a single potluck aid station on top of Marshall Pass that you will pass by 3 times during your tour (mile 24, 57 & 68).
All riders should be passed the last aid station and headed backwards up the Crest Trail by 5:30pm. Unless you are carrying lights you are encouraged to bail down Marshall Pass Road back to Poncha Springs.
UPDATE: High Valley Shuttle will set up an an earlier bird run leaving at 5:30am for those interested at their standard rate. Please call them at 719-539-6089. To be fair to them, please don’t wait till the last minute to reserve your seat!
I downloaded Jessie’s MMB route as a GPX file from Strava and then uploaded that file to my Google Drive account. Anyone that doesn’t use Strava is welcome to download this GPX file, here’s the link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-GMCi1txUWnUFkyUVk3cGIzQ3c.
we starting at the top of monarch at 6:00?
Fred, Start is at the top of Monarch Pass at 6:15am. It should just be light enough to see without lights at that start time!
So if we leave stuff for the aid station that we want back like a rain jacket, pack, etc will we be able to get it back after the race? Thanks!
Nathan, I will be driving everything left at the feedzone back down to the Visitors Center around 6:30pm – 7pm so you could pick up anything you left at that time or arrange for someone else to grab it..
Please plan to drop off your potluck feedzone goodies at the High Valley Shuttle parking lot at 5am or else have it at the top of Monarch Pass at 6am.
Let’s have beers after at elevation!
Regardless of how far you make it?
High Valley Shuttle opened up their parking lot for those taking the shuttle. Simplify your morning and park there rather than the Visitors Center.
I’m thinking of driving over from Gunni. Will anyone be headed back over Monarch after the event? Would love to park my vehicle up top rather than driving all the way down to Poncha. Anyone have any ideas?
Hey Jessie, Sorry I missed the sign out sheet, I’m thinking Mike may have also missed it. We both dnf’d it.
Dwayne! Thanks for coming out and rolling on some sweet singletrack with us! As for documenting it, the fault was mine for not having a good plan where to leave the sheet. Lesson learned for next year!
The first ever Monarch Mind Bender is in the books! Leave a comment for any corrections or missing info including any detail of what you did ride if you had to cut your day short. Everyone deserves credit for being out there and great job everyone for taking the plunge!
Nico! Thanks for reminding me. They are all set now so you and everyone else, please give them a ring and reserve your seat! Shuttle leaves at 5:30am.
Jesse, I just called and added myself and Nico to the shuttle list. They said they need your credit card on file to actually reserve the shuttle, though. Should we bring cash the morning of the race?
Jessie J., I called Theo High Country Shuttle and They have 19 spots for the Mind Bender Group. She suggested I contact you as she could not add me to the list. She does not know the arrangements for Saturday.
Bill Watson and myself are planning on the AM shuttle. Does your group of 19 include us?
Also, she wants a credit card to reserve the shuttle and then she says each rider will pay cash.
Is the GPX file that Andre Breton shared above the correct file for the race this year? See you on Saturday! I called High Valley to reserve a spot and they said I was in, but the dude didn’t care to take my name?
Yep that is what I got too. See you on Saturday charlie.
My legs are ready for total and complete destruction tomorrow. See you folks early in the morning!
Well done everyone! Thanks for organizing Jesse. And thanks to all the folks that provided the incredible bacon, burritos, and baked goods at the aid-station – you are fantastic! Josh and I were really hoping to set a new record for longest time on the course, but kudos to Matt and Dwayne for toughing it out and finishing. Did you guys make it out before the rain started?
Dan, I had a very slow and tedious time coming down Greens and had to throw a light on just before hitting the trailhead. Biked down Hwy 50 in the pouring rain but didn’t care… What an awesome experience. I think I like this biking thing! I will be back next year for sure!!!
Yep, well done all. That was a hell of a ride, and thanks to Jesse for putting that on and the encouragement at the aid station stops to keep rolling!
Is the shuttle set up to call and reserve for us? I think I saw to call after today?
Sorry folks, High Valley Shuttle is out this year, we are all on our own! Rally together on this forum, we should be able to car pool everyone up there from the old Visitor Information Center.
I will be up at the top. Not sure if I can help shuttle because my car is tiny and I already have one other person with me. Not sure how I will get back up there after the race?
Does anyone have room for two? I can get you back up to the top after the mind bender.
You got it Rob. 2 spots are now left to the top.
thx so much Jesse, see you early sat a.m.
I’ll take that last seat. Thanks Jesse!
Jesse – I can help with the marshall pass aid. Let me know what you need.
Anuthee, terrific! Bring a chair for yourself and if possible, a big water jug (5 gallons). I’ll have at least 10 gallons as well. First riders should be through a bit before 9am. I have another volunteer that will bring potluck feedzone goodies from the start to Marshall.
I have room if someone needs a lift to the pass in the AM, as long as you don’t mind squeezing in to the back seat. Your bike will be safely transported on a rear rack. First to respond gets the seat. I’ll be at the visitor center at 5:20 am, leaving at 5:30. Look for a black Nissan XTerra.
Myself or girlfriend will take it. Thanks!
You got it, Matt. I might have room for both of you. I’ll know later today, and will post here once I know for sure.
I do have room for both of you and your bikes. It’ll be a bit of a squeeze, but not too bad.
Hey Jesse, thanks for putting on a killer race! Are you going to post results?