12,500′ highest on a bike

Slept in same parking lot downtown. Drove out to gravel parking lot for bfast.

Rebecca called. Plans were formulated. I was to call her at 3:00 after my ride.

I drove up to Breck. I stopped to photograph the restored made into a restaurant gold dredge on the river in downtown Breck. The mining dredge dug a pond to float itself as it advanced upstream.

Met Dan @ Beaver creek TH for the ride he wanted to take me on. Today i am riding a greased front hub but the grease is too thick for bearings causing drag. Dan is 35 and has lived here for years. Get the picture? Today we start @ 9,600 and top out @ 12,500′. On the map the climb gradient is smooth & consistent. Arrived @ my turnaround point 3 mins faster. Then the hurt set in. Road got rockier, babyheads, and the air pressure lessened. Good grunt. I walked several short pieces just for a break. I pedaled slowly but the short bust over a rock left me gasping. Dan just motored ahead and talked to me. Faint Wheeler trail ST left road in alpine. Tree cover appears to be same willow that I experienced in the high Uintas in UT. Climbed small knoll and then it was hang on to the traction as steep narrow ST bench cut trail dropped quickly. Alpine. Treeless peaks.

Dan is a free heeler.

Trail dropped into forest w/ roots & rocks, all rideable, letting gravity be the engine. My suspension is super. One short climb out of Spruce creek to make Burro trail to final downhill. Super ride, high alpine was special.Height above sea level was a killer.

Back @ van @ 3:05. I invited Dan into my home and we cracked beers. @ 3:07 Rebecca called. We ride tomorrow @ Keystone. Specialized is hosting a week long product education program @  Keystone. I met her & husband Dave back in Sedona. I slept in their drive several nights. Dave says Sedona reservations for this winter have been made.

Found Totally Wired cyclery in Fraser, a shop that was recommended by Dave from Redstone, they have the King special grease. They allowed me to ship my new Fizek saddle to them. This weekend is the nationals in Granby next town down canyon. Todd will be here for the supre D.

Kind of like bone deep tired. Able to function but exhaustion is just under the surface.

Camped @ MT Royal TH just outside of downtown Frisco. An air cooled VW Westfallia that has been well used shares the parking lot. We are maybe 75 feet away separated by air yet remain distant.

Tomorrow a ride w/ Rebecca @ Keystone and then will probably start towards Fraser.