Month: September 2022 (Page 3 of 3)

Prefix: Writing this from Bret’s & Nora’s place. All settled in and ready for a completely horizontal sleep after 13 ½ hrs on the train.

Day 32. I’m on the California Zephyr headed to Provo Utah. I had originally intended to ride from Denver to Moab, then catch a train to Reno, but that proved logistically hard and riding in the 100+ temps and wildfire smoke would have been quite dangerous. So, I settled for the Colorado adventures I did have, including that 12,000’ pass, and will save Moab and Canyonland for exploration with Dana in the future.

A couple days without big mileage have been a nice break. Still riding, just not at the same lengths as last week.

Friday (day 27, Sept 2, also 1 month of retirement!), I rode over and up to Boulder, CO to visit with old friends from State College, Chuck and Susie Anderson. It was a 25 mile ride up and I picked a route that was the most direct and mixed between on road and trails. Can’t say enough about the great cycling infrastructure in Denver and Boulder, and Colorado in general (at least what I’ve seen so far). I rode most of the way on low traffic streets and most of those with bike lanes or shares, but half of the ride to Boulder was on the US 36 trail which runs between the outskirts of Denver into Boulder along the highway. Under-and-over-passes made for a conflict-free 14 miles.

Ahhh. Mountain air and cool temps. I had a lazy morning hanging around the motel and just relaxing. Had a short day planned with a round trip to Breckenridge and then meeting Aaron to head to Red Rocks.

I headed out about 11 and Aaron called and told me there was a Pearl Izumi (cycling clothing) outlet in Dillon. Oooooo. I have some older shorts with me and they’ve seen better days. I ended up with a mountain bike short that has pockets, a little longer leg, and built-in chamois. A better choice for urban riding than ruining my civi shorts, and/or putting on full cycling gear. In other words, I can look almost normal and still have the riding comfort of a chamois pad.

Dillon to Vail Pass today, and the views were spectacular. As I look at the photos, I realize that most of them don’t really capture what was also an emotional experience. It’s really hard to convey in 2D what is going on all around you, or experience the vastness of a steep, rocky, tree covered escarpment. So, I can only hope to trigger some memories if you’ve seen some of this area, and encourage you to come see for yourself if you haven’t.

I had to remind myself to ease up on myself when myself was berating my lagging performance on the littlest climbs with only the bike and no panniers. I’m at 9,600+’ and have only been at this altitude one day, and above 5,000′ for only 4. Duly noted, self. You made it over Loveland, and up to Vail Pass today at 10,000′. Chill.