Today is scheduled rest day, here in Crested Butte. I'm actually too tired to go out riding. Even though it's "fat tire" week and there are organized group rides going on, I'm going to pass. I need to save my legs for the "real" climbs that are still comong up for the next two days.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Day 4: Montrose To Crested Butte
Today's ride from Montrose to Crested Butte more than made up for yesterday's junk miles. We rode some 95 miles through a variety of gorgeous landscapes. From green valleys, to river canyons, to alpine valleys and lakes.
No major climbs. the pace was fast, thanks to a nice tailwind. Temps were much more conducive to riding.
Crested Butte and its surrounding valley are magnifiscent. Tomorrow is our scheduled rest day, so we'll be hanging around here and relax. I usually like to relax with some mountain biking. I'll see how I feel in the morning.
No major climbs. the pace was fast, thanks to a nice tailwind. Temps were much more conducive to riding.
Crested Butte and its surrounding valley are magnifiscent. Tomorrow is our scheduled rest day, so we'll be hanging around here and relax. I usually like to relax with some mountain biking. I'll see how I feel in the morning.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Day 3: Colorado National Monument + Junk Miles.
The ridge road in Colorado National Monument was a truly spectacular ride and worth every twisty mile. From Grand Junction we rode up the steep 10 mile climb to the ridge hugging stretch end enjoied the gorgeous views of the valley below, the mountains in the distance, and the nearby red sandstone cliffs and other stone formations. we rode some 20 miles (most of the ridge road) out to the visitors center and back.
At some point I found that I could feel like I was flying, while riding a section of road that wraps around a gorge, by focusing on the cliff wall across the other side.
The return descent was somewhat scary, being steep and technical (quite a few gravel strewn switchbacks). Yet a few riders were much faster than me. I was too afraid of overheating my rims with my breaks and getting a blowout at 40 mph, so I controlled my speed.
Unfortunately, the rest of todays ride was a long, tedious, exhausting 60+ mile slog through barren desert, on a busy state highway, in 90+ degree heat, fighting an unrelenting wicked headwind the entire way, all the while sucking on exceedingly warm Gatorade just to stay hydrated. I'll take multi-mile climbs any time over this kind of riding. My pace during that part of the ride was only 10-15 mph, the high speed being on the "descents."
My legs were still good enough to keep working for hours, but my feet were killing me.
starting tomorrow we should be getting back to the kind of riding I thought I signed up for (lots of mountain road climbing and descending).
At some point I found that I could feel like I was flying, while riding a section of road that wraps around a gorge, by focusing on the cliff wall across the other side.
The return descent was somewhat scary, being steep and technical (quite a few gravel strewn switchbacks). Yet a few riders were much faster than me. I was too afraid of overheating my rims with my breaks and getting a blowout at 40 mph, so I controlled my speed.
Unfortunately, the rest of todays ride was a long, tedious, exhausting 60+ mile slog through barren desert, on a busy state highway, in 90+ degree heat, fighting an unrelenting wicked headwind the entire way, all the while sucking on exceedingly warm Gatorade just to stay hydrated. I'll take multi-mile climbs any time over this kind of riding. My pace during that part of the ride was only 10-15 mph, the high speed being on the "descents."
My legs were still good enough to keep working for hours, but my feet were killing me.
starting tomorrow we should be getting back to the kind of riding I thought I signed up for (lots of mountain road climbing and descending).
Monday, June 22, 2009
Day 1: Glenwood Springs to Hotchkiss
Great ride today. Rode 81 miles. Highest altitude reached was 8,755' (McClure Pass). The only steep climb were the last 3 miles before the pass. beautiful route. Overnight stay in Delta (farming town). Absolutely no nightlife here.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
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