TransRockies.com

[Simon]

So, you woke up on Monday morning and the reality of the magnitude of your foolish undertaking is starting to set in.



Here is the description from the 2004 TransRockies RoadBook. Blairmore to Dutch Creek, 83.63 kms, 1630 metres climbing



1-90 - Begin the day's leg in the community of Blairmore. From Blairmore, cross Highway 3 and follow a road that rolls around the golf course. The trail forks from the gravel after just 6.3 km and becomes a good double-track trail. Section of this trail follows a gas pipeline. These sections contain some very steep climbs. This leg finishes as you cross the Atlas Haul Road.

90-137 - During this ambitious leg, you will cross the continental divide twice. After leaving the Atlas Haul Road, follow the wide track of Dead Man's Pass Trail. This pass is low rolling. After dropping down to the valley of Alexander Creek, the route heads north and then west to climb to the summit of Racehorse Pass. This high summit provides great views back int the Front Ranges. From a Racehorse Pass, drop down to meet the Atlas Haul Road again. Turn left on this wide public road.

137-150 - Climb the wide gravel of the Atlas Haul Road as you make your way towards the day's finish at a tent camp along Dutch Creek.



Ah, those pipeline climbs. A bit of a rude shock for people from the flatter portions of the world.



When we got into camp, well a collection of tents amid the cow pats, and got in line for both the bike wash and the shower. As I reached the head of the shower line it sharted to rain. I had to shower quickly, getting naked and wet, so that I could get dressed in my now soggy clothes. And then stand in line in the pouring rain waiting to wash the bike. While the pouring rain washed at least some of the mud off the bike.



More information on the Deadman's Pass and Racehorse Pass trails are included in Ward Cameron's book.



PS Check out the poll on your favourite stage in the first of this series.