El Gancho de Don Jose Ramon Aguilar
Cycling Route
Details
90.33 mi
2,775 ft
Ride Details
El gancho (on the hook) is Spanish for being at your limit. Those times when if the pace picks up even a tiny bit, you’ll be finished. But luckily, you’ll be inspired by the pioneering spirit of Aguilar town founder. Don José Ramón Aguilar served in the Colorado House of Representatives in 1881-1882, 1887-1888, and in 1891 he served his first term as county commissioner. He also served as Mayor in 1897-1898 and 1901-1902. Like Aguilar, riders will need every bit of energy to finish off this ride. It’s another one that goes through the remote northern part of the county that sees little auto traffic. Be prepared for several no cell phone zones.
Distance 96 Miles
Elevation + 3393 / - 3392 ft
Max Grade 5.4%
Approx 75/25 Unpaved vs. Paved
Route
After leaving Trinidad, we’ll hit a long stretch of dirt on C.R. 75.0 running parallel to the Front Range mountains. At C.R. 52 we turn west and cross under the highway before doing a quick lap through Aguilar. Leaving town on C.R. 53.7 will connect us to C.R. 60, then 61, and take us northeast. The “high plains drifting” will commence once we reach C.R. 213/86. Once on C.R. 77, we’ll start making our way back, but not before doing a last minute ride by “The Hogback”. It’s a granite dike formed when a magma intrusion flowed upward into vertical cracks in the ground radiating outward from the West Spanish Peak and then solidified.
El gancho (on the hook) is Spanish for being at your limit. Those times when if the pace picks up even a tiny bit, you’ll be finished. But luckily, you’ll be inspired by the pioneering spirit of Aguilar town founder. Don José Ramón Aguilar served in the Colorado House of Representatives in 1881-1882, 1887-1888, and in 1891 he served his first term as county commissioner. He also served as Mayor in 1897-1898 and 1901-1902. Like Aguilar, riders will need every bit of energy to finish off this ride. It’s another one that goes through the remote northern part of the county that sees little auto traffic. Be prepared for several no cell phone zones.
Distance 96 Miles
Elevation + 3393 / - 3392 ft
Max Grade 5.4%
Approx 75/25 Unpaved vs. Paved
Route
After leaving Trinidad, we’ll hit a long stretch of dirt on C.R. 75.0 running parallel to the Front Range mountains. At C.R. 52 we turn west and cross under the highway before doing a quick lap through Aguilar. Leaving town on C.R. 53.7 will connect us to C.R. 60, then 61, and take us northeast. The “high plains drifting” will commence once we reach C.R. 213/86. Once on C.R. 77, we’ll start making our way back, but not before doing a last minute ride by “The Hogback”. It’s a granite dike formed when a magma intrusion flowed upward into vertical cracks in the ground radiating outward from the West Spanish Peak and then solidified.
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