I Am Dave

Woke up early this morning (4:20 am) with the hope of avoiding any nasty weather if we rode early enough. This however didn't work today. Day started with decent weather on a 37 mile fairly flat start. We then started a 20 mile climb up over Grand Mesa that gained about 6,000 feet of elevation. The climbing was actually much more difficult than expected. I steadily passed people for the first 8 miles then would ride for extended 30 minute stretches without seeing anyone. Ten miles into the climb the temp was down into the mid 40s, which actually wasn't cold because i was climbing. At the half way point of the climb I ran into a friend from last years ride, he is sponsored by Jittery Joes, and I mention "hey, at least it isn't snowing," and I continue on my way. Ten minutes later it starts raining...and my friend from Jittery Joes passes me and mentions "9 miles is pretty far when you are going 5 miles an hour," I laugh until I check my speed and realize we are going 5 mph and still have 9 miles of climbing.

I watch as the temp keeps dropping and rain keeps coming down. Coldest point was 41 degrees and snow. I pass the long periods of isolation by contemplating really stupid topics, none of which I can remember. You mind starts to play tricks on you at 10,000 feet of elevation in bitter cold, snowy weather in shorts. I keep seeing things in the corner of my eyes and glance over and realize it was nothing.

I finally get to the top after riding for about 5 hours. The top is cold and dark and feels like a haunted cemetery due to the clouds. I stop only long enough to pee and throw back a bag of fritos, I know the longer I am on the top of the mountain the colder I am going to get. I start to get pissed as I see people SAG'ing it to the top of the mountain. If you are one of the lucky chosen ones to get invited to ride the Rockies you should spend adequate time training. Anyway I start heading down the mountain. Only 36 miles to town and it is almost all downhill. The problems begin when the rain starts to come down again. The road is drenched and I begin to freeze. At points I am so cold I can't safely steer the bike. I stop and try to warm up enough to continue the ride. It is an hour before the temp rises above 50. During stretches i insist that i am going to get a hotel tonight, but it never happened. The last 8 miles the temp is up to 70 degrees, and I refuse to take off any gear as I am loving the fact that I can finally feel my toes.

I finally arrive in Delta at 1:00pm. My legs feel great considering I haven't ridden more than 54 miles in over 6 months. Massage from attractive massage girl again, then huge steak dinner then off to bed.

Today's stats:
Average speed: 13.8 mph
Distance: 94 miles
Elevation gain: about 7,000 ft
High point: 10,839 ft
Low temp: 41 degrees

One last note...one of the better parts of the ride the Rockies is the community among the participants. People are so friendly.

And finally, it is 8:22 pm and people are still arriving, 7 hours after I arrived.

Later folks. Sent from my iPhingers

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