CO Trail Segment 18: HWY 114 to Saguache Park
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After segment 19, I still had the time and energy to ride segment 18 as well. It had always been the plan for Brittany to drive over to the Highway, thus allowing me to do this section in one direction, rather than as an out and back like many of the sections have been. If given the choice, I would ride this section in the Durango-Denver direction, as this will maximize singletrack downhills versus road downhills.
Like segment 19, much of this segment is characterized by roads making up the Colorado Trail. At least roads are fast.
About halfway through this section, the roads begin to resemble singletrack more and more.
Some of the downhill over the last few miles was quite steep, and would definitely be hike a bike had I been heading towards Durango. Meanwhile, I knew I was close to the highway once I passed some “trail magic”. “Trail Magic” can be found here and there along the Colorado Trail- usually cold drinks left by helpful good Samaritans that realize how incredible an ice cold drink might be on a hot day. This trail magic was empty (even if it was full, I consider trail magic to only be for the thru-bikers/hikers). I assume whoever left it there is planning on coming back later to pick it up. It would be a good feeling to create some trail magic- I might have to make that happen.
Brittany was waiting for me at the highway- taking this shot as I neared the end of my second segment of the day.
This segment went by quickly- one hour, 25 minutes for 13.8 miles. Like segment 19, this wasn’t the greatest section for riding quality, but it wasn’t the worst, either (and I would say that 18 is slightly more fun than 19).
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