Map Breakdown: Day 4

This is the breakdown of day 4, the final day of our adventure! This day starts in Breckenridge, where we'll no doubt wake up bleary eyed and dehydrated (the way God intended). This day is a brief 12 miles, but a horrendous 3100 feet of climbing. Check out the map here.

We'll start with a road climb up the Peak Nine Access Road, and then rejoin the CO Trail about 8 miles in. The ride up the Peak Nine Access Road is an alternative route. The original route swung north and rejoined the CO Trail off HWY 9. While this would put us back on the CO Trail sooner, it also subjects us to, "4 hours of hike a bike" according to other users. In the interest of less suffering, we're going to take a service road.

Original Route

Updated Route

Elevation Profile

Part 1: Miles 0-6 - We start off with the Peak Nine Access Trail, which is a service road up to the top of Peak Nine (as the name suggests). This is rideable, and saves us quite a bit of hassle hiking up the much harder official option.

Part 1

Peak Nine Access Road

Part 2: Miles 7 - 8: Back on single track! We don't actually rejoin right onto the CO Trail, we spend a short time on Wheeler Trail, which then connects to the CO Trail. The elev tops out on this trail, and we descend down a couple hundred feet before connecting.

Part 2

Satellite View

Wheeler Trail

Part 3: Miles 9-13: After finally rejoining the CO Trail, it is an apparent technical descent down to highway 91 and a short hop across to Copper and some delicious Mexican food!

Part 3

Dropping into Copper

This will be the last part of the trip, and by now we'll surely be hungry and ready for an ice cold margarita!

Map Breakdown: Day 3

Day three is just a classic day with 41 miles and 5600 climbing. We have two passes and end in a town with a shower and bed! Check out the map here.

Route and Waypoints

Elevation Profile

This route is four parts - two passes, a descent, and a bike path into Breckenridge.

Part 1: Miles 0-7 - right out of the gate we're climbing! We'll be headed up to the top of Georgia Pass, the first of two for the day. This looks to be a fin trail, not as wide and beaten in as some parts. Once we crest the pass, we will have a somewhat steep descent that crosses a couple water supplies, and into the valley between Georgia and the second unnamed ridge. 

Part 1

Georgia Pass

There is an interesting option here as well - at the bottom of the hill between Georgia Pass and the next unnamed hill there is a bailout that takes a 7 mile detour around the unnamed pass and down to the bike path. 

Detour

We'll see how the legs are feeling on day three!

Part 2: Back to climbing! We're gearing up for our second pass of the day. This one is doesn't seem to have a name, but it's 1200 feet over 4 miles. Short and sweet, this will put us in good position to finish the day strong.

Part 2

Georgia Pass

Part 3: The last part is about a 9 mile downhill that winds through the trees as we approach the bike path on highway 9. On the map this looks fun and easy, but I'm guessing we'll be THRILLED that is is over by the bottom. 

Part 3

 Other Pass

Part 4: The last part of this is a great four mile ride up the bike path into Breckenridge. What I'd love to do is find an ice cold beer to drink as a roadie on the way to the hotel here, but dang if the map shows nothing at all! Well have to get creative to earn today's reward.

Part 4

Bike Path into Breckenridge

With this day over, we'll be showering up in a regular hotel, soaking the legs in the river, then the hot tub, and preparing for the last day!

Colorado Trail 2026: Bike changes

Besides adding bags all over my bike, I am making a couple other changes to try to make it better for the challenge of bikepacking. Let's take a,look at what I did to my new bike!

Handlebars / Stem

Stock: DiamondBack alloy 35mm

Change: Renthal carbon 35mm

Reason: I wanted to swap over to a 31.8 bar for the compliance, but couldn't justify buying a new cockpit when I had a 35mm Renthal bar stem combo available. They're wide, stable, and light (ish). Hopefully a little more compliant as well. 

Innerends

Stock: none

Change: Added some Ergon bar ends in the middle of the bars

Reason: I've tried this out on a few bikes, and I really like having a second place to put my hands. I also wrapped a bit of the bar with bar tape so it's extra comfortable. This position helps with aerodynamics too, so I'm excited to try it out.

Chainring

Stock: 32t

Change: 30t

Reason: Easier climbing! and hopefully less stress on my drivetrain. While I fully expect to be running in a granny gear, I don't want to have my chain all stretched out all the time. This will allow me to run my gears a little easier, hopefully. 

Tire inserts

Stock: none

Change: Cushcore regular rear, race front

Reason: Running lower tire pressure means I have a softer ride and great traction. It also means I risk  pinching my tire or denting a rim. I gotta great deal on a Cushcore regular for the rear and a lighter Cushcore for the front. This will add a bit of weight, but it will payoff in confidence that my bike won't get all beat up or changing tubes all the time.

And believe it or not, those are all the changes to the bike! When I'm posting this we're only a week away, which is pretty exciting.