I rode it last year, and hope to do so again this year if my post-crash recovery continues apace. Beautiful route! The climb out of Ludlow may make you think of rural Italy. The NW reaches of the course feel really remote.
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\nRoads in the valleys are mostly hard-pack or fine gravel, with occasional looser stuff. Roads over the hog-backs are rutted and steep as heck. There are a couple of hair-raising descents.
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\nUnless you're capable of riding race speeds for hours at a time (I'm not), the full route makes for a long day in the saddle. But it's worth it for the scenery and the "this is an adventure" vibe.
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\nDavid
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Dave,, thanks for the recon and advice. Just got back from the event. What a great ride, and very well organized. I liked it so much, I tacked on an extra 5 miles, oops. Riders from TX, KS, AZ, MO, and of course CO. Many using it as a substitute for the DK200 or as a warm up. Several of the riders I spoke with who have also completed the DK thought this ride could become just as popular. Excellent course and impressive scenery. I opted for the gravel bike with 40mm tires and tubes (cause I cant run tubeless). I did feel somewhat disadvantaged on the longer descents, but that may me a function of my lack of long gravel descent experience on that bike or my woosiness, and I got considerably faster on the descents as the day went on. I would not change my bike choice though since the rest of the riding seems to suite the gravel/cross bike well. I will be back and I would recommend it as a must do.
