This was a strenuous ride of 102 miles with nearly 8000 feet of climbing (I burned 6500 Calories doing it). It wasn't a loop but, rather, an out-and-back ride between La Veta and Segundo. On the return trip it's pretty much a continuous 35 mile climb to Cucharas Pass at 9941 feet with the last few steep miles to the pass coming more than 80 miles into the ride. It is, nevertheless, a fine ride. A nice feature is that there is relatively little traffic on this road.
Map of the area around La Veta.
Along the Highway of Legends with the Sangre de Cristo mountains in the distance.
Pastoral scene along the highway with the Sangre de Cristo range as a backdrop.
There really is a Stone wall. The Stonewall rock formation is more than a mile long, 100 feet high, and 15 feet thick.
On top of Cucharas Pass at 9941 feet.
Looking south from Cucharas Pass.
The "Watermelon Lady" on Cucharas Pass. That hit the spot after a hot 35 mile climb.
"Hydrating" with Dave Jones in La Veta at the end of the ride.
Panorama of the Spanish Peaks. On the far right hand side is the Devil's Stairsteps rock formation, also known as the Great Dikes of the Spanish Peaks.
Sunset on the way back to Monument from La Veta.
