The Long Course Profile + GPS map
Start with the Mass Start out of Elbert and ride south on West Kiowa Creek and take it to Badger Ln. Ride west climbing over a short hill that runs west to CR 15/21 where you will take a hard right and head north and up to the bend. Turn left at James Trail on a nice flat hard packed cutover that drops you back on to CR 15/21 that quickly becomes CR 21 where you will ride due north to CR 106. At CR 106 hang a left heading west to CR 5.
On CR 5 ride south past the Ben Kelly Air Park where it crosses CR 98 and turns into CR 9. Here at the gate on CR 9 will be an aid station you can’t miss. From here ride west on CR 86 and spin to CR 1, which is marked as S. Delbert Rd, take a left, then ride south and past the Dutch Heritage Garden Center to where it ends at County Line Road. Turn left at County Line Road and ride east thru the pines up and over a few short climbs and blast downhill past the Rock Horse then over the bridge to the bend heading north again.
The Courses Split at CR 82
NOTE: LONG RIDERS HEAD EAST ON CR 82 and take the right heading due east over the hills and through the woods crossing over the Elbert Rd.
CR 82 CROSSES OVER PAVEMENT
AT THE ELBERT HWY
FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE ROAD!!
Be looking both ways as this can be dangerous at times with horse trailers, hay hauling rigs, and over weight multi-axels tearing up the asphalt — as anyone who has ridden the Elephant Rock Century or has been out this way putting in long miles on a road bike can attest — drivers along this stretch of road wear lead boots and have some unexplained disdain for spandex. So take care and be aware at this crossing.
From this fast crossing continue east on CR 82 and head for the short but steep CR 35 Popper riding north. At the top this hill the road jogs east where CR 82 picks back up again for a short time, when then you’ll hang a left pedaling back north on CR 37.
Ride this to CR 94 and take a right heading east again to a fast drop into the historic Bijou Basin via CR 49. This road hooks on to CR 90 continuing east for a short spell where it turns back north on CR 53 for about a mile when it links back to CR 94 riding east. Don’t miss the turn north on CR 69 which will ride right through the old town of Fondis continuing north to CR 102 where the course turns back west again.
Leave Fondis on CR 102 riding west up-down-and-over more rollers to CR 37 where you will turn left swinging south again. This rises over a short little hump of unmaintained road then takes you back the opposite direction you came. Keep riding CR 37 all the the way to up over a short climb to CR 82 then take a right to the bend on south on CR 35.
BE SAFE HERE. It’s very easy to hit high speeds on the downhill at CR 35 and the turn at the bottom is nearly 90 degree turn where “if” there are any oncoming cars and trucks and/trailers they will invariably pinch off the turn. So keep your eyes peeled and your head up.
Cruise back west on CR 82 again and cross back over Elbert Hwy on CR 82 and ride through the woods and up and over the rollers to CR 86 where you’ll hang a right. This is the home stretch and will put you back on West Kiowa Creek where at the end you’ll hang a left on to Broadway, then a right on Copper, and the last left on to Eccles to ride dirt all the way to the finish line. Stay safe and stay off the Elbert Rd.
Then it’s time for some lunch at the Naked Goat! Afterwards we’ll have a podium and prizes for 1-2-3 M&W Open + Masters M&W 50+ but we will also want to recognize everyone for participating in our 2nd ever High Plains Grinder event!
We encourage riders, clubs, and teams statewide to come ride the High Plains Grinder. Represent Colorado, and challenge yourself, your friends, teammates, and fellow cyclists on unpaved country roads to help a great cause.
Foot Notes:
If you need to abort your mission, all roads east of the Elbert Hwy heading west wind up in, or close to the Town of Elbert. So you can continue on to CR 33 where the route continues west dropping back down to the town of Elbert. Please, however, let someone know you are a DNF.