The ride to Monarch Pass will be the tallest mountain I will have to ride for the entire trip.

It's over 11,000 ft and what makes it particularly tough is that the climb goes for only 9 miles which makes most of the ride a steep one.  Also, at 11,000 ft, the air gets pretty thin and adds additional stress to the ride.

Today it's going to rain in Gunnison CO.  The original plan was to ride 30 miles from Gunnison CO to Sargent CO which is at the foot of the mountain, then conquer Monarch Pass.

With the rain, cooler heads will prevail and I'll ride to Sargent today and tackle Monarch Pass tomorrow when the weather should be nicer and I'll be well rested.

I'm ready for this ride.  It's a culmination of many previously challenging rides starting in the Sierra Nevada, the long rides crossing the state of Nevada,  and the big mountains in Utah.  I've shed 20 lbs of weight and I'm feeling strong and will be well rested for the big ride tomorrow.

Will the Monarch capitulate?  We'll find out tomorrow.

Wish me luck!

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