Monitor Pass, anyone?

[SadieKate]

If I remember correctly, the pavement is good and the grade is never too steep.

Just how "not too steep?"

Steph and Sue are Pville monsters. Just how long would I be riding by my little lonesome while they zoomed up the hill?

Hmmmmm . . . .

[SadieKate]

And which is easier - Ebbetts or Monitor?

[yellow]

And which is easier - Ebbetts or Monitor?

I've not ridden Ebbetts, but if my memory serves me correctly I think it's tougher. And not as purty. Still purty, just not as...'course I love the high deserty stuff.

[aka_kim]

I remember Ebbetts being harder, but then I was probably hallucinating at the time. Ebbetts is very scenic, and very narrow (think Morgan Territory).

I'm sure the Pville Monsters will cut anyone daring to ride with them some slack . And, you guys can hit the hot springs when you're done! Oh, I'm so envious.

[SadieKate]

I'm going to bed. Just thinking about the altitude right is hurting. I looked at some elevation profiles also. Ow!

[yellow]

And, you guys can hit the hot springs when you're done! Oh, I'm so envious.

And...and...the hot springs has a nice cold pool as well. It's like something out of a travel magazine: "Ride to the top of scenic Monitor Pass, where fields of Eriogonum cover the hillsides. After a brief rest in the aspen groves at the summit, enjoy a scenic and fast-paced downhill run. Finish your ride with a cold one at the Wolf Creek Tavern and then head out to Grover Hot Springs for a refreshing dip or hot soak. To book this trip, call..."

[SadieKate]

There is a guy over on bikeforums that does a lot (understatement of the year) of hill climbs and posts stats. I asked him what he thought of Ebbetts and Monitor.

I think Ebbetts is nicer than Monitor. It's more gradual, shaded, pretty, and there's a campground with water and toilets at Silver Creek. Monitor has virtually no shade, so the bottom portion of the climb is hot and dry.

For stats...
Ebbetts: 12.6 miles, 3000', 4.4%
Monitor (west): 8.2 miles, 2600', 5.8%

I like high desert also but will the bottom of Monitor be too hot? You've said it hasn't been cooling off up there. At least the stats for Monitor aren't god awful, just awful.

[yellow]

I like high desert also but will the bottom of Monitor be too hot?

Not if you're on the bike at 0-dark-stupid, which may be required given realizations in Steph's schedule. And that's much higher elevation and subject to winds, so I'll bet it's been cooling off there at night.

I could do either. They are both proximate to the hot springs.

You have a couple more days to think about it.