Courage Classic Day 1 and 2

*I was beat last night (especially with the after dinner drinks with Walt, Phil and Pat) and went to bed early so I'm filing a double report.

Day 1 - Saturday, July 26. Leadville to Copper Mountain (59 miles, 3800 feet of elevation gain, 5 hours of riding time).
This is the toughest day on the ride. We started out in Leadville (the highest incorporated town in the US at 10,040 feet) in the morning cold (about 45 degrees fahrenheit). Of course, it was not a smooth beginning when I realized that I had left my socks at the condo in Copper Mountain...at least 30 minutes drive away. Fortunately, the local grocery store had some socks that would work, so I know own another 6 pairs of white sports socks. But I had socks! Last year, I forgot to pack my sports supplements...which caused a lot of problems late in the day.

About 4 miles of the route were under construction, so we essentially were riding on packed dirt. Wet, packed dirt. My front tire slipped several times, but not enough to fall. It was a tough section for Roberta, but her ability to navigate it successfully did a lot to boost her confidence on the bike. The next challenge was a 4 mile/400 foot climb of Tennessee Pass, a great way to warm up.

After a quick stop at the aid station (water, food), we headed down the other side of Tennessee Pass (10 miles, 2000 feet of elevation loss). This is a great descent, good road, long straights and only a few turns. Just after starting down, we passed Kathy, a friend who was volunteering). So I stopped as soon as it was safe (about 200 feet down), rode back up, gave her a quick hug (she was supposed to ride but was injured while cycling to work a few weeks back), then started back down the pass. Roberta had gone on ahead, so I rode as fast as I could safely to catch up with her. It is a great feeling to be actually pedaling while going almost 40 miles per hour down hill! I caught up with Roberta (who was also making good time) just before the Camp Hale aid station.

The next climb was Battle Mountain. This is a 3 mile/1000 foot climb (at 10,000 feet) and nearly did me in last year. The nice thing about riding with a friend is that you work together to keep pushing. I kept looking back at Roberta and telling myself that I was not going to stop until she did...and she never did. After a few turns, we finally saw the welcome sign...a yellow traffic sign indicating that a steep descent was ahead!

As we started down the other side of Battle Mountain, we had a sobering experience. A few miles from the summit (just enough to get up some speed), we encountered a police officer telling us to slow down as there was an accident ahead. Unfortunately, it was a fellow cyclist who was being attended to by the medical staff. We had to stop and walk our bikes around the ambulance and continue on our way (after taking a moment to compose ourselves).

Shortly after leaving the accident scene, I came upon a slower rider, checked my mirror to see if anyone was behind me (I could only see Roberta), and called out "On Your Left" to let them know that I was going to be passing them (something very important when you are descending). I had just moved out to pass the rider when another rider went past me, almost hitting me. He came upon unannounced and in a blind spot of my mirror. This kind of thing is annoying on a 10 mile per hour bike path, but on a 35 mile per hour descent in the mountains it is dangerous not to tell the rider you are approaching and to not give them enough room. Next time you are riding and approach a slower rider, say "On Your Left" (in the appropriate language of course), ring a bell, do something to let them know you will be passing. And give them plenty of room in case they are still startled by your approach. The life you save may be your own!

After a lunch stop in Vail, where we caught up with Walt, Caitlin, Dr. Jody and the assorted characters in our little riding team, we headed up towards Vail Pass. The 45 degree morning had given way to a 90 degree (at least it felt that hot) slog. Riding on roads, we gained about 500 feet over 6 miles...a miserable 6 miles. At one point, I became overheated and stopped in the shade and breeze to cool down. I seriously considered catching a ride up the pass as I do not tolerate the heat well. I could see the next aid station (it looked to be about 42 miles directly above), so I dumped the last of my water over my head and continued on. I spent a few minutes at the aid station cooling down and decided that the gain in elevation would help cool me down (which it did...but at what cost????)

I got back on the bike and started up Vail Pass. This is one of the tougher passes for cycling. You gain almost 2400 feet in less than 8 miles, going from 8300 feet to 10,700 feet. It is also almost a constant uphill (the only downhill is a twisty narrow section...immediately before an amazingly steep section). Slow and steady was the rule of the day (I probably averaged about 5 miles per hour) and I did have to walk the bike in two spots (steep and narrow sections where it is just safer to walk it when you have that many people on the path).

Once at the top, it is a fast 4 miles down to Copper Mountain. And I mean fast! Even in the rain, I made it down the 4 miles in about 10 minutes. I have ridden this path many times and am familiar with it's twists and turns. It is a lot of fun on a dry day...a little nerve wracking on a rainy day.

After rolling across the finish line and collecting handshakes and hugs from friends, it was back to the condo, into the hot tub, a quick shower and dinner (and a couple of Fat Tire Ales with the above mentioned gang).

Day 2 - Sunday, July 27 Copper Mountain/Summit County Out and Back (60 miles, 1700 feet elevation and 4 hours of riding time).

After a leisurely breakfast and team photo, we headed out on a day of undecided duration. The usual routes were changed because of a road closure, so we had options of 35 - 100 miles. We ultimately decided on the 56 mile route out to Blue River. This is a way I have not been before, so it was a great time to check it out (with 2000 of my closest cycling buddies).

As we rode along the highway, we encountered a bit of a head wind. I drafted behind the group for a bit, then decided I needed to stretch my legs, so I passed the group (saying "On Your Left" of course!) and tucked in behind Walt, who was a bit ahead of the rest. After a mile, I passed him to take the lead and let him rest (I am a great person to draft behind). For the next 4 miles...that is how it stayed...me in front, Walt taking it easy behind me (I teased him a little bit about it later). After passing some traffic and a couple of small descents, I lost Walt. We had also lost the headwind, so it was not too bad for him.

After a short rest break, I headed back. I thought I saw the group just behind me...but it turned out to be other members of our team (we are all wearing the same jersey today). The 12 miles back to town were really pretty easy once I got into a good rhythm. Most of the gang caught up with me at the rest station (except Roberta and Phil who decided 60 miles was not enough, so they rode a bit farther from the turnaround point). They caught up with me just in time for me to head out (except for Kate, who arrived a minute or so after me). So Kate and I headed back towards Copper. She passed me at the switchbacks up to the Dillon Dam (young and in shape will drop an old man like me any day!). We caught back up at the end of the Dam (about 1 mile) and rode together to Frisco, where I stopped (I started to get really hungry and had 7 miles/500 feet to go) to get something to eat.

I pulled across the finish line a little after 2pm, just behind Kate and well ahead of the rest of our little group. After waiting for Roberta, who arrived about 3pm, I went back to the condo and hit the hot tub, shower and drinks with Phil and Walt.

Another great day of riding.

Tomorrow is the final day. We start with an ascent of Fremont Pass (12 miles/1600 feet) and top out at 11,318 feet, our high point for the tour. After a quick descent (I hit almost 50 miles per hour last year), we arrive back at Leadville for a well deserved picnic!

I'll report in on the Monday ride...from the warm and welcome confines of my home!