Early morning starts usually means mother nature will be providing a show for you during breakfast here in the high country of Colorado. Monarch Crest Enduro put on by Chocolate Bunny Productions hosted by Absolute bike and River Front restaurant in Salida, Colorado worked incredibly hard to live up to the standard of “Epic” given to the area by the world famous Monarch Crest Tail. Most people who ride the Crest choose the popular route following the Continental Divide Trail for several hours south to the Silver Creek Junction, descend Silver Creek and finish with 14 miles on the Rainbow Trail. This first ever Enduro in the area ran off several mountain drainages all accessed through trails, and roads that take you to Colorado high alpine. This race tested the best of everyone brave enough to have entered. With 5 stages over 3 days this Enduro will put you in your place. Day 1 had 2 stages with over 18 miles of racing and transfer. Day 2 was 1 stage that was right about 18 miles with transfer and race. Day 3 was a tough one with 2 longer transfer stages followed by 2 incredibly long chunder fest runs that seemingly lasted forever at pace. All of this was just over 30 miles for day 3. All of the combined ended up being approximately 9,280 of descending and 6,396 of climbing. Just enough to wear out anyone for the upcoming Monday.