I tanked up at the rest stop at the top of Monitor, put on my shell and was ready for the descent down the front side. It’s excellent road surface all the way down. Time to cut loose.
I thought I was really moving at 45 mph. Then some hooligan screamed past me like I was standing still. It so unnerved me that I rode the brakes the rest of the way down.
A left turn off of Monitor and it’s on to Ebbetts Pass. The route moves on through pine forests with granite scattered about.
This is the heart of the Death Ride—gnarly, hard climbing that doesn't seem to end.
However, my taking-it-easy strategy was working and I felt the best I've ever felt climbing this pass.
Here’s the top.