This weekend found me at the mercy of the high mountains again. However, lucky for me it was only 1 of the 2 weekend days. Double however, that day was insane.
The weather here in Denver has been very Arizona/Texas-ish (if you will), a rather dry heat, but with very high temps. We've set some sorta record here in CO for the most consecutive 90+ degree days. I think we're at 22 or something by now, and damn is it hot. The temps make it rather uncomfy to ride in the later hours, so, time is of the essence when we do get out, and it's GOTTA be early.
Saturday, we convened at Bang on Alameda for what turned out for me to be a rather shortish ride. Myself, Jerry "What is slow?" Stafford, Juan Jose Miguel Hannandez, Roger "EPO" Phillips, Brian "AI" Appleby, and Jordan "I ride a 55/53 up front" Sher all rolled out around 7 am. AI was heading up to do Mt Evans...from Denver, which, from info gleaned from fellow racers in the group, claim to be something around 150 miles...and...again...Mt Evans...the highest paved road in the nation...14000 feet. Yikes. As we headed out, I felt ok...not great. I'd been getting over that stupid cold that knocked me out the week before, and, it unfortunately started to show it's evil head again. Needless to say, I felt "ok", but not that great, as my legs felt like 100lb weights, and, some sorta stomach virus was lurking since earlier in the week. I hate that feeling...when there's no "snap" in the legs, and you just have no acceleration or power period. Anyway, as we rolled out towards Morrison, Roger & I missed a few traffic lights for whatever reason, and had to hit it to catch up to the guys. Now, for those that don't know this group, it's pretty much going to be one of the harder rides you've ever been on as these folks just don't know how to NOT attack. Don't get me wrong, it's SO much fun, and these guys are super nice, but, damn do they ride hard. It's a great workout, and, a humbling experience at the same time. Roger & I pegged it up the "Col du Yale" to make up some lost ground. I haven't put too hard of an effort in outside of a group ride setting, so my top end is QUITE lacking. Either way, I was able to spin a good gear and stay with his wheel. I was definitely on the rivet, but, it felt great once we crested the hill. Eventually I fell off his wheel, but, felt like I accomplished something. I wasn't sure where that physical effort came from, but, my mental training helped out tremendously! I'm glad I didn't have the SRM cuz I know I would have thought I was going too hard, rather, than just trying to hold the wheel. Anyway, as we descended into Morrison, my legs just felt awful, and it was starting to get really hot (high temp that day hit 104) at 8:45am. Surrendering to the fact that I couldn't hang with these guys on the ride they were about to do, I conceded and did a short climb up to Dinosaur Ridge. With the road being closed, I just flipped it and headed home. I missed the fireworks for sure, and, I've never done Kerr Gulch, so I was very bummed out. Next time though, I'll be ready!
That night Amy & I had plans to go to dinner with my sis, bro-in law, and all time cutest lil nephew ever. Prior to leaving, we secured some plans with the Prendergast crew, for riding, and they graciously offered up their guest bedroom to us yet again. We hit Sakura Sushi in Longmont, which was pretty tasty. I sometimes don't like to eat sushi before what I know is going to be a big ride the next morning, simply because nutritionally, it doesn't offer much in the way of carbohydrates. Yes, I know there is rice, but, it is of the short-grain white variety which is the highest on the GI scale for rices. That being said, I was a bit nervous that this meal wouldn't really tie me over. I ate a bit more than I usually would, thinking the actual caloric intake would help vs the nutritional content. Who knows if scientifically that was a good idea, but, hell, it worked.
Sunday Amy, Mike & I hit Super James for the ride. I'd never been past the mailbox up in Jamestown, and only had driven to the top of "Super James" once back in like '00 when I lived in Boulder. I remember thinking it'd be a super sweet ride, and had ZERO balls to actually do it. Today, 8 years or so later, I manned up. We headed out early, and met up with Jordan & Michael Hanna again at the mouth of Lefthand. It was great to see them, and, lucky for us, they were tired. Their plan was to head up Lickskillet Road, which, is about 22%, dirt, and ends up in Gold Hill at the very top of Sunshine canyon, aaaaaand coincidentally is the site of the wedding. We rode for a bit up the canyon, with the usual jawing and teasing. I launched a pseudo-attack (it might have "looked" like an attack, but damn, didn't feel like one!) and got a small lead off the front. Of course, Michel bridged up in about a minute after, and Jordan close behind. The 3 of us rode a bit harder to the Ward turnoff, where, we deposited the two of them for their own pain, and, we continued on. After a brief stop for water in Jamestown, we headed up what turned out to be one of the gnarliest rides I've ever done. The average pitch for the next 3 or so miles was 10%. AVERAGE. At times it was 14, other times it was 9. It was THE most unrelenting, unforgiving climb I've ever been on...no breaks, no flatter sections...just a grind. I was in my 39/25 pushing about a 25 cadence at like 4 miles an hour. Amy was lucky and had a 29 cassette I picked up for these very instances, and was, of course, dancing on the pedals. Each switchback on this climb was very deceiving. It wasn't so much a traditional switchback, as they were just S-turn after S-turn of pure unadulterated steepness. The views were gorgeous, and the weather was rather nice at 8 thousand feet, but, with little cloud cover the pavement got very hot. We summited, gnawed on a few clif products and eventually descended down. The original plan was to potentially hit Ward again for a celebratory cookie, but, Amy & I were pretty fried and feeling really poopy.
Upon arriving at Mike & Kelly's, we sat down for a scrumptious lunch with heavy eyelids, tired legs, and post-shower zone out. It was hard to motivate to leave and go grocery shopping, but, we did.
I took a slew of photos, but, cannot find my camera. I think I left it in Erie!? Either way, I'll post the pics when I get the chance. All in all, EPIC as usual.
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