Monarch Mind Bender (MMB) 2023

Welcome to the 2023 and Eighth Edition!

Date and start time (updated to 1 week later! sorry!):

August 26, 2023 6:00am (Saturday!)

Hosted by Logan Davis.

RIDE COURSE :

Monarch Pass -> Fooses loop -> Full Crest/Silver/Starvation -> Marshall Pass climb -> Starvation loop (using new upper trail instead of road entrance PURPLE) -> Back up Crest to Greens -> Finish at bottom of Greens Creek trail.

Updated course

Previous course

This is intended to be NON-COMMERCIAL, Recreational-Use Activities that are held on parts of USFS lands in compliance with USFS Special Use Rules and Regulations.

Please make sure to read all rules for this. This is fully unsupported and you will need to be self-sufficient in order to complete this. The rules are located HERE.

Course Detail

Earn your turns and ride 5 amazing descents in a day on this tour of the Monarch Crest area (Fooses, Crest, Silver Creek, Starvation & Greens). Don’t be afraid to ride your big bike with grippy tires and a dropper post to maximize the fun!

Start on Monarch Pass and ride Crest Trail to S. Fooses. ->Descend S. Fooses and climb back up N. Fooses dirt road to reconnect with the Crest Trail. Follow Crest Trail passing by Marshall Pass to Silver Creek. ->Descend Silver Creek and take Rainbow Trail. Left on Marshall Pass Rd -> Climb up Marshall Pass Rd back to the top of Marshall Pass. ->Ride the Crest/CT trail out to the NEW SINGLE TRACK STARVATION ENTRANCE -> descend Starvation and climb back up Poncha Creek Rd back to Marshall Pass. Climb backwards up the Crest Trail to Greens. ->Descend Greens Creek Trail to finish your ride time at the bottom of Greens. Go to Poncha Springs Visitors Center, find the clip board and record your time/sign out. THEN GO TO ELEVATION BREWING TO CELEBRATE THE BIG DAY!!!!

86 miles, ~11k ft climbing, ~14,5k ft descending

Logistics

Our aid helper will drive from Monarch Pass to Marshall pass after we start riding with whatever aid station goods you want.

Potluck sharing foods should be individually wrapped( ex. Mini Cokes, bananas, bars etc.).

We will have water jugs at the aid station.

Sign out sheet will be at the visitor center. Please sign out if you complete the route or bail!

Meet at Elevation Brewing after you’re done for a celebratory beverage!

Use the chat in the registration page to share rides and help get everyone to the top. Car pool from the visitors center on the corner of 285 and 50. Before the ride please sign up before the start at the visitors center parking lot from 5:00 am to 5:20 am OR at Monarch Pass from 5:45 am till 6:00 am.
RIDING STARTS AT 6:00AM!!

When you get done with your ride (regardless of how far you got) please sign out on the registration sheet that will be left at the visitors center.

We will have a potluck aid station on top of Marshall Pass that you will pass by 3 times during your tour (mile 24, 57 & 68). Bring your potluck items to the start of the ride (at Monarch Pass) and we will transport them to the aid station.

Looks like first light is at 6am!

All riders should be passed the last aid station and headed backwards up the Crest Trail by 5:00pm. Unless you are carrying lights you are encouraged to bail down Marshall Pass Road back to Poncha Springs.

Route: click Here. (Note this GPS is no longer accurate due to Starvation trail entrance – see above)