Breakfast at Snooze. I had a flight of pancakes and hot cocoa (remember the freezing part?) but I don't think there was a bad thing on the breakfast menu.
Definitely huge burritos. Dave cleaned his plate as always.
Shawn and Rob enjoying their flight of pancakes and speciality butter as well.
After the ride we cruised the city for a while working back north. Pretty sweet sign.
Pretty sweet outfit. This was not the only shirtless old man I saw today. Seriously people, it's 50, not 90.
Mr.Eagle watching over us on the South Platte.
Dave getting ready with Jeny and EdE hiding there.
The group was almost 25 strong at the start.
TomP is hiding in there as well as Eben and Cole plus tons of really cool other people I got to meet.
While we raced Marni did some extreme knitting ;)
I finished 2nd overall behind local Mark in 1:16:xx for 10 miles. The course was tons of fun and lots (~1700ft) of climbing. The Pugs was a big hit as usual and Eric's poggies got a ton of interest and compliments as well.
EdE all done.
I-9's? ;)
Post race idle chatter.
Jeny coasting in on a munched rear mech...
Dave on the Endo shod snow fixie
Great day, must do it again soon. The high mountains are so pretty in the winter.
As discussed with the Daves at camp, I live in a wind tunnel. I live just east of Hwy 93 where 100 mph winds are not uncommon. Today was one of those days where I don't realize quite how windy it is until I turn around and get instantly spun out on the SS and it was just an average winter/spring day. Luckily I've got plenty of hills to throw into the mix to keep the RPMs down and on dirt there are no cars to worry about blowing in front of. My limit on the pavement is 45mph gusts, above which I get blown off my bike climbing the main hill that leads from my house towards most of my major routes.
I forgot to mention that last night I saw the pack of three coyotes for the third time. I'm not sure if we just roam the same territory but it's fun to have their company at night. This time one stopped just 10 feet from me, likely because we were separated by a fence. Usually they keep their distance. I was reminded of last night by running into a solo coyote today which Marni has named Fileepoh (because his parents wanted him to be different). Funny.
Tomorrow is Friday, gateway to the weekend and it always goes quickly. Fueled by my day of allowed coffee and sugar I can never seem to get everything done before the weekend is here. Bed!
While Marni was still getting over our joint sickness I moved beyond the "sit on the couch" point into the "do stuff" point. Tuesday I got back on the road bike trying to keep it easy but ended up having a very productive day of riding and feeling better. Yesterday I made no attempt to veil my enthusiasm and ripped it for 4 hours after work in the dark despite temperatures in the low teens. I thought about bringing the camera but it was dark the majority of my ride and you guys can only look at so many deer in the headlights self portraits before you stop reading my blog. I hit up almost everything on the dirty Bismark as well as some extra credit around Marshall Mesa. There are a few big, no make that huge, snow drifts but it's all wind hammered and hard enough to ride on. As long as the temperatures stay cool it's not muddy at all and a majority of the trail is totally dry. Plus somehow the sun is sneaking around on me and I didn't fire up the headlamp until almost 6pm last night, sweet!
Here is a little profile to make up for my blatent lack of any cool pictures.
I really like this picture. Inside my multi piece headgear system is a warm, calm micro climate where I can see and breathe without concern to the nasty winds blowing all around me. More than once I would just stand in the sun in the middle of the road and watch the wind rage all around me, perfectly comfortable and smiling. I'm wearing: LG powercap under a pearl izumi light stretchy balaclava lest the powercap blow away again(!) and tucked under my baselayer for a leak free seal, a neoprene face mask with nose and mouth breathing holes that seem to minimize any fogging and clear Smith goggles so I can actually see without wind blown snow constantly stinging my eyes. I have an extra fleece ear band and several hoods not shown but those are not likely to be used when moving at any reasonable pace.
Epic Eric's sweet sweet poggies, my sleeping bag (and bivy if carried) and a 1L thermo resting up front. Snacks and gloves are stashed in the poggies as well for quick deployment lest I have to take my liner glove only hands out of their warm and comfy home.
Much of the road was so windblown it was bare.
Yep that's why. Dave is somewhere back that way trying to remain upright in the wind. I once ended up turning around 180deg while trying to tack into the wind but luckily I never hit terra firma myself.
I didn't get much beyond this point this trip but I did spend a short time scouting beyond the snow pile. It looks promising enough that I'm still entertaining a return trip although I might pedal the ~40 mile/3500ft approach from home just to make sure the effort isn't wasted if I end up hiking much of the "ride" after this point. Rollins Pass in winter with a bike is still definitely on my "tick list."
As for the other cold, it seems to be on the mend. Time for more healing zzz's so if I'm lucky I can get off the couch and back on the bike tomorrow. Dec and Jan have been solid if not slightly less crazy than last year but my form seems decent and I'm full of motivation and energy. Getting sick is rare for me so I'll just enjoy the days spent inside with Marni and be back out in winter in no time.
And this in the predawn hours. Single digits were surprising nevertheless.
By that afternoon, ahhhhh. Tights not required.
My first trip to Goose was sweet and the sun and great company didn't hurt.
Adam showing me around the mesa.
Yes yes, I have a light on my helmet :p
Mr.Nice enjoying a ride with me that doesn't involve freezing our asses off for once.
Reflecting on terrain not covered by frozen white stuff.
The Friday afternoon crew was 3 SS and 1 fixie.
Meredith and Dave in the other Dave's bike cave.
Muahahaha.
It has three speeds...and shifts!
The group with our hostess getting ready to head out. Two dozen plus strong and raring to ride.
Those specks are DH and Josh, pretty much my view all day.
Chris hoping his heart doesn't explode.
DH snacking well ;)
I need to get me one of those...
Kenny riding strong.
Bart flying up in the big ring.
Did you ride it? Neither did I.
The train.
Well it sounded like a good idea in my head.
From here to there.
Beautiful scenery all around.
View from the top.
Then back down there.
Dave and the praying mantis.
This looks like a good place to stop. stop.
What a gem!
A couple hundred miles of dirt, great friends old and new, awesome climbing and my biggest worry usually what to eat next. Not a bad way to squander some vacation days and start the year.
