Day of Ride Details & Reminders
Thanks again for signing up for the Monarch Crest Crank! We're excited you'll be joining us on Sept. 17 for this fun event!
WHEN: Sunday, September 17
WHERE: Check in for riders is at Absolute Bikes, 330 W. Sackett St., Salida. Post-ride party is at Riverside Park, Corner of F and Sackett Streets, Salida
Check-In: Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled shuttle departure time. You’ll need to check in and get your shuttle card and then load your bike before boarding the shuttle. Shuttles will be loading at Absolute Bikes!
If you're not sure what shuttle you're on, log into this site and check your Profile, then go to Manage Registration to find the "Shuttle" option.
The number at the end is your DEPARTURE time – be at Absolute BIkes 15 minutes before this time!
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE: Please watch this video, which has info about using the Monarch Crest Trail that we must share with you as a US Forest Service Permit Holder: Safety Video
WHAT TO BRING
In the mountains, weather can change in an instant, so be prepared. This is a suggested list, at minimum.
- Bike: Your bike must be in excellent working order. Please have it serviced by a mechanic before the ride.
- Personal helmet: All riders must wear a helmet – no exceptions.
- Hydration system pack with water or energy drink and to carry your many items noted below.
- Spare bike tube - It’s not unusual to get a flat tire on this trail. We encourage you to bring a spare tube just in case.
- Chain repair link – get the one that is compatible with your chain’s brand and speed (if you aren’t sure which one to get, ask your friendly bike shop team member).
- Riding shoes
- Bike shorts
- Jersey or wicking base layer (no cotton)
- Riding gloves
- Rain jacket
- Lightweight wool socks
- Arm and knee warmers (i.e., additional layers of clothing)
- Eye protection (sunglasses)
- Camera
- Energy bars or snacks. Lunch provided after the ride 😊
- Sunscreen
- Any medications or personal prescriptions
- If you plan to drink alcohol at lunch, bring an I.D.
Weather preparation: Colorado weather is unpredictable and can change quickly. Please be prepared. The ride goes rain, snow or shine. If there is lightning and deemed to be unsafe, we will call the ride off with no refunds.
To find Absolute Bikes and Riverside Park:
From Highway 50: turn north on F Street. Travel north (toward "S mountain") on F St. After you pass 1st Street and get to Sackett, Riverside Park will be across Sackett on the right. Keep going straight to go over the river and you'll be at the parking lot. To get to Absolute Bikes from the parking lot, go back to Sackett and turn right, go two blocks and Absolute Bikes will be on the right. Shuttles will be loading at Absolute Bikes!
From US 285 and County Road 291: Follow County Road 291 into downtown Salida and turn left on F Street (traffic light), and in one block Riverside Park will be across Sackett on the right. Keep going straight to go over the river and you'll be at the parking lot. To get to Absolute Bikes from the parking lot, go back to Sackett and turn right, go two blocks and Absolute Bikes will be on the right. Shuttles will be loading at Absolute Bikes!
Parking: There is public parking at the end of F Street, on the other side of the Arkansas River from Riverside Park. To get to Absolute Bikes from the parking lot, go back to Sackett and turn right, go two blocks and Absolute Bikes will be on the right. Shuttles will be loading at Absolute Bikes!
There’s also parking near the old skate park (corner of 1st St/CR 291 and G St.), or west of Safeway on G Street between 2nd & 3rd Streets. From those lots, ride down G Street toward the river until you get to Sackett Street, then take a left. Absolute Bikes is one block away on the right. Shuttles will be loading at Absolute Bikes!
After the ride
FIRST GO TO RIDER CHECK-IN! When you get to Riverside Park in Salida, we must account for you! Please report to Rider Check-In, so we don't send out a rescue party.
If you raised $250 or more by Sept. 10 and responded to the prize selection survey, your prize will also be available for pickup at the post-ride check-in!
If you already purchased socks and/or a t-shirt when you registered, they’ll be available to pick up at Riverside Park after the ride. If you didn’t pre-purchase, you can still purchase socks for $15 each at check-in.
LUNCH!
When you check in after the ride, we will give you tickets for your meal and a drink. All riders will receive one free beverage (beer or soda) and one free meal with their tickets.
Additional drinks can be purchased, with all proceeds benefiting The Alliance. If you plan to drink alcohol, bring an I.D.
The post-ride party is open to the public (details below). Invite your friends and family to join you here! The public can purchase a meal ticket for $10, beer ticket for $5 and soda/bottled water ticket for $1.
Event Schedule:
7:30-8:00 a.m. – Rider check-in based on shuttle time. Riders selected shuttle times when they registered.
Shuttles for the Monarch Crest Trail leave at their designated time! Don't be late – we will not be able to take riders who arrive late for their shuttles.
The shuttle ride up takes about 30 minutes. Arrive at the trailhead and begin riding. There will be an aid station at Marshall Pass – CHECK IN AT THE AID STATION and tell them the route you will be taking down (Marshall Pass Road or Silver Creek).
11:00 a.m. - 3 p.m. –
Shuttles back to Salida will be available at Shirley Site on CR 200. There's a big parking lot and restrooms. We will have two sets of van/trailer combos alternating trips back to Riverside Park.
Marshall Pass Road riders - when you get to the T intersection at the bottom of Marshall Pass Road, turn RIGHT to get to Shirley site.
Silver Creek Trail riders - when you get to the 4-wheel drive road (after descending the singletrack), do NOT take Rainbow Trail, take the road down to Shirley Site, which will be on your right.
The Crest Crank officially ends at Shirley Site. You can take the shuttle back to Salida or ride to downtown Salida on your own. Be aware that riding back to Salida requires riding along US 285 for several miles, and then a few more miles into town (most people take Chaffee County Road 120).
You can take the shuttle back to Salida or ride to downtown Salida on your own. Be aware that riding back to Salida requires riding along US 285 for several miles, then riding another 7 miles along Highway 50 or a bike path (access at US 285 and County Road 120).
11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. –
Post-ride party at Riverside Park on the banks of the Arkansas River (corner of F Street and Sackett)
We'll also have live music, lunch, and much more! Bring your cash (best), checkbook or credit card!
As always, 100% of proceeds go directly to The Alliance to help empower individuals beyond domestic and sexual violence! Let's have fun! Ride bikes! Raise pledges! Make new friends!
Thank you for supporting The Alliance!
