Flagstaff (9/30/12)...
One of the classic 'must do climbs' for cyclist in Colorado is Flagstaff. For some reason I have not climbed all the way up Flagstaff until last weekend. Evan and I started at Chautauqua Park and climbed up to the amphitheater.
(Beginning of our ride looking at Flagstaff)
As I was making my final climb up to the amphitheater Evan came down and said his cable broke and could not change his gears. This is an issue when you are climbing up a road that has an average of 11% grade. So, we went back down and road to one of the local bike shops had them fix it and went back to finish our climb. Boulder is not a flat town so we had a a lot of climbing just to get back to Flagstaff. We made it past the amphitheater this time. Evan completed the entire route and I missed out on a couple climbs (maybe 1-2 miles) as he was coming back and we headed back down. I only had to stop and get off of my bike after climbing one of the 'snake' sections which is about 15% grade to catch my breath. But, I got a pretty picture!
(Looking out from the amphitheater)
( picture of the 15% grade climb)
(Nice view to look at as I calm my breathing down)
My understanding of the climbs' names is that "Flagstaff" refers to reaching the amphitheater turn-off, "Super Flagstaff" refers to reaching the mailboxes after the last three steep switchbacks, and the remainder of the route has no widely known name. So, I'd say you made it nearly to Flagstaff on the first attempt, then to the top of -- and beyond -- Super Flagstaff the second time up. However, neither of us made it all the way to Gross Reservoir where Flagstaff Road ends. (I turned around to make sure you were still making progress, not because I reached the road's terminus. If you had descended the backside of Super Flagstaff I was worried I'd get in trouble for choosing too difficult a route!)
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