I finally motivated myself to start working segments on the Colorado Trail. How better to celebrate than by dropping my front triple crank and going straight to 1×10?

Fortunately, I was wise enough to pick up a OneUp Components 40t cog to beef up my 11-36 XT cassette. It was JUST enough to get me up some mildly technical climbs. It was NOT enough to drag my ass up the really technical gnar, through which I hike-a-biked.

I did manage to get some spectacular views while taking a break at the half-way point and also encountered a fair bit of big-horn-sheep-ass on my way back down the Waterton Canyon road.


Yes, I know, I should have gotten the green RaceFace ring instead of the black.