[tw3nty9er]

i've been doing research here and there but I wanted to start my own thread too.

I will be arriving friday morning after a long night of driving. my gf and I would like to ride something light in the afternoon (after a nap and weather permitting) - nothing epic, just a teaser and a chance to get acclimated (i.e. easy flowy singtrack). We're planning on doing the 401 on sat morning - any logistical suggestions? We're heading to telluride on sunday but might want to get in a quick ride beforehand. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Please keep in mind that my gf is kind of a noob.

Also, Still trying to figure out camping. Not sure if I should wing it or make a reservation at irwin (has a lake but farther away), avery (near 401), cement, lost lake, or the free stuff around gothic (also near 401). restaurants? bars? gf is a vegan.

Thanks so much!

 

[tw3nty9er]

Bump and in case I forgot to describe my concerns as preferred in the sticky (which i did).

Tell us about your fitness level. Are you a clyde from sea level or an ultra endurance rider?
I'm in pretty good shape. Will just be coming off RAGBRAI. gf, however, not the toughest rider. in fact, she has a 9-spd but we're planning on getting a 31 tooth chainring. Should she think about renting a bike (a triple)? neither of us have any acclimation towards high altitudes.

What type of trails do you like to ride?
scenic yet and not steep (decents are nice). the 401 seems doable, even for my gf. is reno et al harder or easier than the 401? what about difference in length? lift service available? how about shuttles?

How many days are you planning to ride? (Specific dates could also help us steer you away from hot/cold/wet conditions in particular areas)
See original post.

How many miles or how much time are you looking to ride each day?
see original text but on sat. we would like to do the 401 in it's entirety. consider friday and sunday to be half days.

Tell us about the bike will you be bringing. I mean a rigid SS versus a 6.5" travel AM makes a bit of a difference.
I'll be riding my specialized epic (fully) and my gf will have a gary fisher paragon (hardtail) but it's set up as a 9 spd. should she rent a bike?

Where are you staying and how far are you willing to drive for your ride?
Still trying to figure this part out. we want scenic. showers are nice. reserve something beforehand? considering all the options present on google maps within ~7miles of crested butte. pictures are hard to come by so more genuine feedback is desired. is it necessary to camp near gothic or would it be worth it to camp at lake irwin or lost lake? Maybe cement creek would be nice because it's closer to gunnison?

Thank you for reading! I gotta go pack for RAGBRAI now!

 

[tw3nty9er]

i'm thinking for short ride we could do either snodgrass or strand hill. for a longer ride we'll do the 401. Sound good?

 

[tw3nty9er]

bumpski

 

[smmokan]

Our list of go-to restaurants in CB include Secret Stash (pizza/wings), Slogar (home-style fried chicken), and Marchitelli's (Italian)... there are so many good restaurants in town you can't really go wrong.

The 401 is only longer if you ride it from town. Its relatively short if you park at the Rustler Gulch TH and ride the road to the top and then down the singletrack. You could easily mix in Snodgrass with it for a day's worth of riding.

 

[tw3nty9er]

yay, I finally got some action in here! Thanks, smmokan! Got any camping recs? I can't decide if I should wing it and just get something upon arrival or if I should reserve ahead of time. I guess I would like to reserve something if I know of an awesome site #, however, info regarding campgrounds around butte is hard to come by.

btw, those restaurant recs all sound great for me! hopefully they'll have some vegan options for my gf.

 

[SkaredShtles]

yay, I finally got some action in here! Thanks, smmokan! Got any camping recs? I can't decide if I should wing it and just get something upon arrival or if I should reserve ahead of time. I guess I would like to reserve something if I know of an awesome site #, however, info regarding campgrounds around butte is hard to come by.

btw, those restaurant recs all sound great for me! hopefully they'll have some vegan options for my gf.

Vegan options? I wish you well iwth that... might want to consider stopping at the grocery in Gunnison.

 

[cobi]

Might check this thread if you haven't seen it already. At least it will give you a picture stoke:
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=635709

Sorry, haven't made it to CB yet to explore so I can't help.

 

[tw3nty9er]

Vegan options? I wish you well iwth that... might want to consider stopping at the grocery in Gunnison.

but this is colorado! ah well, she's accustomed to becoming vegetarian via lactaid if left stranded.

 

[cbmtbr]

Dated a vegan for a bit. Had to go to Pita's in Paradise a lot, lots of vegan options there. Secret Stash worked OK with some good salads and stuff. It isn't easy dating a vegan, that's for sure.

 

[Trails4Two]

Vegan

We were just there July 4th and will be back with more family Aug 1. All vegetarians.
+1 for Pitas in Paradise - lots of options and she should be able to have more than one vegan choice!

also there is an Asian restaurant about a block from Pitas. You can usually get something vegan at one of those - I haven't eaten there so I can't vouch for it.

 

[cbmtbr]

Yeah, forgot about the ginger cafe. Actually, I like Ryce better which is near 1st and Elk. Some Nepalese guys just opened a nepalese/Indian restaurant which I haven't been to yet which might have some vegan options as well. It's around the corner from the Brick Oven in a tiny place.

 

[tw3nty9er]

thanks for the food tips. Now, where should I take my gf camping in butte? For some reason I'm drawn to Lake Irwin but I'm wondering if it would be more convenient to camp closer to the trails around gothic.

 

[tybo]

thanks for the food tips. Now, where should I take my gf camping in butte? For some reason I'm drawn to Lake Irwin but I'm wondering if it would be more convenient to camp closer to the trails around gothic.

Lake Irwin is a drive. I stayed at Cement Creek very close to trails and only 15 min from town. A plus in Cement Creek it has water and more then a few rides from camp. Irwin when I did the **** trail just seemed a long drive from the trails I wanted to do. Gothic is great camping and free. Also right next to 401 and other trails.

 

[tw3nty9er]

thanks for the tips!

 

[bbike]

The wife and I were out there last year and we stayed at the Gothic campground which is just four rustic sites. There are pit toilets. This CG is North of Gothic and just down the road from the Rustlers Gultch parking. It is very secluded with great views. The best part is that you can ride the road up to the 401 and it will spit you out a few minutes past your campsite. Showers and laundry are available at the Hostel in town.

There is a pretty good fireroad grind to get to the 401 and once you get there, it gets much more challenging (very short section). The downhill is amazing.

I can't help the vegan out but if you like pizza, you have to get one at the Secret Stash. It is the best that we've had and we are definitely going back there during our trip this year.

 

[tw3nty9er]

That campground sounds great! However, the ladyfriend prefers to have showers on-site. We'll definitely take a look though. Hopefully the views can convince her otherwise because that location sounds very convenient. Definitely gonna hit up the Secret Stash too. maybe they'll have some vegan cheese for the gf. Thanks!

 

[steadyflow]

That campground sounds great! However, the ladyfriend prefers to have showers on-site. We'll definitely take a look though. Hopefully the views can convince her otherwise because that location sounds very convenient. Definitely gonna hit up the Secret Stash too. maybe they'll have some vegan cheese for the gf. Thanks!

Showers on site? That isn't going to work out too well for you....maybe some CB locals can chime in, but I am not aware of any camping there that has showers.

 

[tw3nty9er]

Showers on site? That isn't going to work out too well for you....maybe some CB locals can chime in, but I am not aware of any camping there that has showers.

Ok, it's always good to know what to expect. Any good recs for showers then? Someone already mentioned the hostels. Thanks

 

[tybo]

Ok, it's always good to know what to expect. Any good recs for showers then? Someone already mentioned the hostels. Thanks

I found no recs for showers. Hostel is five bucks. Go to target or whatever you like and buy a camp shower tell the gf it's camping have fun with it.No, camps in CB have showers. Let us know what you think when you get back I had fun.