54 miles (87 km) – Total so far: 1,378 miles (2,218 km)
I was awoken at 11:30 pm with the bike falling over and assumed an animal and shouted for it to go. I opened the tent and saw it was a black bear, now sulking off. It returned later to rip open the frame bag to get at a muesli bar I had left in there. I only discovered the damage in the morning. It is probably repairable and my fault for leaving the bar in the. Although it has been there throughout, with grizzlies around also. The rest of my food was locked in the laundry room. No food boxes here. The same bear tried to get into a family tent but was scared off, they had sandwiches in it.
It was a cool misty morning and I managed to get away at 8:30 am, after some duct tape repairs. The challenge was always going to be the toughest yet. Trail Peak road goes through the Rockies National Park and is the highest through road in the USA, reaching 12,184 feet, or 3,700 metres. It would be the highest I have ridden and am ever likely to ride; the highest on this course by a rather large 750 metres.
The mist meant temperatures were perfect, and after a gentle uphill section of 8 miles the proper climbing began, basically 20 miles of it. Short rests were the order of the day, with a few photo stops. At Milner Pass I was going strong, only feeling the altitude at above 3,400 metres. That meant that last climbing really tough. Stopping at the Visitor’s Centre 200 metres altitude and 2 miles from the top helped a little, but that last climbing was at a crawl pace. Then a 20 mile downhill into TES Park on curly and curvy roads, so no great speed. Estes Park is a busy summer destination. Having ridden into town, I then rode back out the same way to the campground. At $38 it is by far the most expensive encountered this course. But really I could do nothing else.
It was a great and memorable climb. One I could only do with pretty much 4 weeks of training beforehand. It was always going to be a great way to finish, although I do have about 60 miles to Boulder.
Distance 54 miles, Ride time 5 hrs and 28 minutes, Average Speed 9.8 mph, Max Speed 37.4 mph, Departed at 8:30 am, arrived 3:40 pm Altitude 2345 metres.
Black bear damage – bike tipped over and claw into the frame bag, for a muesli bar
$10 on this occasion – quiet at this time in the morning
Last Divide crossing at Milner Pass, a long way before the highest point
At the Visitor’s Centre
Welcome rest stop to view the moose
Just a few metres below the highest point, 12,184 feet – the highest I am ever likely to ride a bike
Unlikely the GPS will show a higher altitude also
Some views from the top
The switchbacks heading down
45 minutes later – such a contrast – downtown Estes Park
Two Pales IPA and Obsidion the best on offer
Safe Return Doubtful 
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