Pikes Peak 4302m

A mountain, a legend, a mythe. Nothing more to say about this guy. First hike 1820 and a tarmac from bottom to top since 2011 – often used for car races and on the very top of my bucket list.

It was a beautiful day with clear blue skies and a crisp morning. I drove from Denver to Colorado Springs and then on to Manitou Springs (1,891 meters) to begin the iconic ride up Pikes Peak. The mountain looked massive from the valley, standing at 14,115 feet (4,302 meters), and I started my ride with a steady climb.
The first section was tricky, as I had to ride on the highway until Cascade. From there, I joined the official pass road and quickly reached the toll gate, where I paid the $15 fee—definitely worth it. The ascent was steady, averaging 8-9%, with some steep sections reaching up to 14%. After about 10 kilometers, I reached Crystal Creek Reservoir, which serves as a popular starting or ending point for many riders. This was the only "relaxation" zone on the climb.
Beyond the reservoir, there was still a 15-kilometer climb remaining, and the summit seemed far off. However, the climb was beautiful, with wide-open views as I left the tree line behind. The clear sky offered great long-distance visibility. Along the way, markers showed how far I had come—19 total, with cute animal and landmark drawings on them. While these were encouraging at first, they became less motivating in the middle of the climb, especially when I still had over 10 miles to go.
Since it was a holiday weekend, there was quite a bit of traffic, but starting early allowed me to stay ahead of the crowds. Interestingly, I noticed an unusually high density of Tesla cars—about 80 passed me, along with five Cybertrucks.
At 3,797 meters, I reached the elevation of Austria's highest peak, Grossglockner, but there was still another 500 meters to go. The last stretch was tough, but I paced myself. Once I hit 4,000 meters, I could definitely feel the thin air in my legs. Finally, I reached the summit, where I took in the panoramic views before preparing for the descent.
The downhill ride was smooth, and I finished in the top 5% with a time of 38 minutes. Back in Manitou Springs, I enjoyed a well-earned coffee while gazing up at the peak. This ride marked my longest climb in one go, with a total elevation gain of 2,393 meters. The iconic Pikes Peak climb was completed, and I finished the day by heading to the Red Rocks Amphitheatre to see country star Dierks Bentley in concert. What an unforgettable day!

bike: pretty Betty, Specialized Tarmac S-Works
starring: Gerry Samer