Welcome to the 2019 and Fourth Edition
August 25, 2019 6:15am (Yes this is a Sunday!!!)
Hosted by Jesse Jakomait.
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 to Hwy 285. Make an immediate left Climb back up Marshall Pass Rd back to the top of Marshall Pass. ->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 and finish at the Poncha Springs Visitors Center.
86 miles, ~11k ft climbing, ~14,5k ft descending
Logistics
Unfortunately High Valley Shuttle can’t help us this year, use the forum 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 5:30 am or at the start from 6:00 am till 6:15 am. When you get done your ride (regardless of how far you got) please sign out on the registration sheet that will be left at the visitors center.
Looking for volunteers to help with a single potluck aid station on top of Marshall Pass that you will pass by 3 times during your tour (mile 24, 57 & 68).
Civil Twighlight 6:02am Sunrise 6:29am, Sunset 7:42pm Civil Twighlight 8:10pm
All riders should be passed the last aid station and headed backwards up the Crest Trail by 5:30pm. Unless you are carrying lights you are encouraged to bail down Marshall Pass Road back to Poncha Springs.
Register here.
Route: click Here.
August 12th, 2016 at 12:43 pm
UPDATE: High Valley Shuttle will set up an an earlier bird run leaving at 5:30am for those interested at their standard rate. Please call them at 719-539-6089. To be fair to them, please don’t wait till the last minute to reserve your seat!
August 22nd, 2016 at 7:56 am
I downloaded Jessie’s MMB route as a GPX file from Strava and then uploaded that file to my Google Drive account. Anyone that doesn’t use Strava is welcome to download this GPX file, here’s the link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-GMCi1txUWnUFkyUVk3cGIzQ3c.
August 23rd, 2016 at 7:38 pm
we starting at the top of monarch at 6:00?
August 24th, 2016 at 8:42 am
Fred, Start is at the top of Monarch Pass at 6:15am. It should just be light enough to see without lights at that start time!
August 25th, 2016 at 3:10 pm
So if we leave stuff for the aid station that we want back like a rain jacket, pack, etc will we be able to get it back after the race? Thanks!
August 25th, 2016 at 4:30 pm
Nathan, I will be driving everything left at the feedzone back down to the Visitors Center around 6:30pm – 7pm so you could pick up anything you left at that time or arrange for someone else to grab it..
August 25th, 2016 at 4:45 pm
Please plan to drop off your potluck feedzone goodies at the High Valley Shuttle parking lot at 5am or else have it at the top of Monarch Pass at 6am.
August 25th, 2016 at 8:44 pm
Let’s have beers after at elevation!
Regardless of how far you make it?
August 26th, 2016 at 7:03 am
High Valley Shuttle opened up their parking lot for those taking the shuttle. Simplify your morning and park there rather than the Visitors Center.
August 26th, 2016 at 10:59 am
I’m thinking of driving over from Gunni. Will anyone be headed back over Monarch after the event? Would love to park my vehicle up top rather than driving all the way down to Poncha. Anyone have any ideas?
August 29th, 2016 at 4:36 am
Hey Jessie, Sorry I missed the sign out sheet, I’m thinking Mike may have also missed it. We both dnf’d it.
August 29th, 2016 at 6:25 pm
Dwayne! Thanks for coming out and rolling on some sweet singletrack with us! As for documenting it, the fault was mine for not having a good plan where to leave the sheet. Lesson learned for next year!
August 29th, 2016 at 5:09 pm
The first ever Monarch Mind Bender is in the books! Leave a comment for any corrections or missing info including any detail of what you did ride if you had to cut your day short. Everyone deserves credit for being out there and great job everyone for taking the plunge!
Jesse Jakomait 8h09m
Matt Schiff 8h18m
Rob Powell 9h29m
Nathan Williard 9h43m
Bastien Donze 10h00m
Jordan Carr 10h00m
Logan Davis 10h02m
Ben Gannon 10h30m
Jeff Steinhoff 10h31m
Robin Guillaume 11h22m
Robert Blackwell 11h33m
Rafael Millan 11h51m
Nelson Jones 11h51m
Andy Wiedrich DNF
Dwayne Otto DNF
Andrew Grund DNF
Josh Agenbroad DNF
Teresa Garcia DNF
Eric Cutlip DNF
Jeff Spencer DNF
Mike Jenrette DNF
James Bove DNF
Fred Maxwell DNF (skipped Starvation loop)
Matt Bourget DNF
Ignacio Barrantes DNF (cut out at the bottom of Starvation)
July 23rd, 2017 at 11:03 am
Called the shuttle company today about reserving a couple of seats. They were not aware that they were providing an early shuttle on race morning…
July 31st, 2017 at 11:27 am
Nico! Thanks for reminding me. They are all set now so you and everyone else, please give them a ring and reserve your seat! Shuttle leaves at 5:30am.
August 15th, 2017 at 1:41 pm
Jesse, I just called and added myself and Nico to the shuttle list. They said they need your credit card on file to actually reserve the shuttle, though. Should we bring cash the morning of the race?
August 20th, 2017 at 1:32 pm
Jessie J., I called Theo High Country Shuttle and They have 19 spots for the Mind Bender Group. She suggested I contact you as she could not add me to the list. She does not know the arrangements for Saturday.
Bill Watson and myself are planning on the AM shuttle. Does your group of 19 include us?
Also, she wants a credit card to reserve the shuttle and then she says each rider will pay cash.
August 20th, 2017 at 9:45 pm
Jesse,
Is the GPX file that Andre Breton shared above the correct file for the race this year? See you on Saturday! I called High Valley to reserve a spot and they said I was in, but the dude didn’t care to take my name?
Chad
August 21st, 2017 at 10:05 am
Chad, I just called HV and gave them my name even tho he didn’t want it. Also, they said $20 cash or $25 CC the morning of. charlie
August 21st, 2017 at 7:56 pm
Yep that is what I got too. See you on Saturday charlie.
August 25th, 2017 at 7:12 am
My legs are ready for total and complete destruction tomorrow. See you folks early in the morning!
August 28th, 2017 at 10:21 am
2017 MMB times:
Nathan Williard 8:23
Chris Alstrin 8:35
Logan Davis 9:00
Graham Ruhmann 9:16
JP Frymoyer 9:18
Chad Kittles 9:18
Rob Powell 9:20
Jeff Spencer 9:45
Jon Haftel 9:50
Alex Schultz 10:17
Ben Hanus 10:35
Charlie Hayes 10:45
Andrew Wiedrich 10:45
Matt Giaraffa 12:32
Nico Seamons 12:32
Dan Hickstein 13:03
Josh Stahl 13:03
Dwayne Otto 13:28
Matt Brinski 14:05
Chris Eckstein DNF – 73mi
Robert Blackwell DNF – 58mi
Jonathan Williams DNF – 58mi
Bill Watson DNF – 44mi
Jay Lewandowski DNF – 44mi
August 28th, 2017 at 10:29 am
Well done everyone! Thanks for organizing Jesse. And thanks to all the folks that provided the incredible bacon, burritos, and baked goods at the aid-station – you are fantastic! Josh and I were really hoping to set a new record for longest time on the course, but kudos to Matt and Dwayne for toughing it out and finishing. Did you guys make it out before the rain started?
August 29th, 2017 at 4:24 am
Dan, I had a very slow and tedious time coming down Greens and had to throw a light on just before hitting the trailhead. Biked down Hwy 50 in the pouring rain but didn’t care… What an awesome experience. I think I like this biking thing! I will be back next year for sure!!!
August 28th, 2017 at 10:44 am
Yep, well done all. That was a hell of a ride, and thanks to Jesse for putting that on and the encouragement at the aid station stops to keep rolling!
August 13th, 2018 at 9:33 am
Jesse,
Is the shuttle set up to call and reserve for us? I think I saw to call after today?
Chad
August 13th, 2018 at 9:40 am
Looks like the phone number changed to 719-581-2702
August 13th, 2018 at 9:47 am
Thanks for the head’s up. I’m working on this now…
August 13th, 2018 at 3:45 pm
Sorry folks, High Valley Shuttle is out this year, we are all on our own! Rally together on this forum, we should be able to car pool everyone up there from the old Visitor Information Center.
August 14th, 2018 at 3:19 pm
I will be up at the top. Not sure if I can help shuttle because my car is tiny and I already have one other person with me. Not sure how I will get back up there after the race?
August 15th, 2018 at 7:18 pm
Does anyone have room for two? I can get you back up to the top after the mind bender.
August 16th, 2018 at 4:20 pm
I have room for 3 more riders to get to the top before the start. Reply to this and you got the seat! We roll at 5:30 leaving from the old Visitors Center on the NW corner of 50 and 285
August 16th, 2018 at 10:34 pm
I’d love to get one of those spots Jesse if still open. thx so much Rob Batey
August 17th, 2018 at 6:29 am
You got it Rob. 2 spots are now left to the top.
August 20th, 2018 at 11:46 am
thx so much Jesse, see you early sat a.m.
cheers
August 17th, 2018 at 9:32 am
Hey Jesse, I’ll grab one of those spots if still available. Thanks, Mike
August 22nd, 2018 at 4:50 pm
You are in Mike!
August 17th, 2018 at 9:27 am
Mike Hornemann is in!
August 18th, 2018 at 6:29 am
I’ll take that last seat. Thanks Jesse!
August 21st, 2018 at 9:14 am
You got it Kyle!
August 20th, 2018 at 6:28 am
Jesse – I can help with the marshall pass aid. Let me know what you need.
August 22nd, 2018 at 4:53 pm
Anuthee, terrific! Bring a chair for yourself and if possible, a big water jug (5 gallons). I’ll have at least 10 gallons as well. First riders should be through a bit before 9am. I have another volunteer that will bring potluck feedzone goodies from the start to Marshall.
August 22nd, 2018 at 7:57 pm
I have room if someone needs a lift to the pass in the AM, as long as you don’t mind squeezing in to the back seat. Your bike will be safely transported on a rear rack. First to respond gets the seat. I’ll be at the visitor center at 5:20 am, leaving at 5:30. Look for a black Nissan XTerra.
August 23rd, 2018 at 8:20 pm
Myself or girlfriend will take it. Thanks!
August 24th, 2018 at 4:50 am
You got it, Matt. I might have room for both of you. I’ll know later today, and will post here once I know for sure.
August 24th, 2018 at 6:03 pm
I do have room for both of you and your bikes. It’ll be a bit of a squeeze, but not too bad.
September 3rd, 2018 at 7:59 am
Hey Jesse, thanks for putting on a killer race! Are you going to post results?
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:11 am
2018 Monarch Mind Bender!!
Nate Williard 8:36
Matt Schiff 9:02
Mike Phillips 9:05
Logan Davis 9:26
Keith Yzquierdo 9:31
Bastien Donze 9:50
Nick Thelen 9:52
Rob Batey 9:54
Kyle Quinn 10:05
Mike Hornemann 10:15
Jordyn Drayton – 67.2 mi
Dennis Staley – top of Marshall Pass Rd
Paul Rago – Rainbow?
Dwayne Otto – Rainbow
Robin Guillame – N Fooses