And glad to have headed W on I-70. East bound was a big rolling traffic jam, recreaters and travelers back to Denver perhaps.
Bid adieu to Todd this AM after he finished 5th in his age bracket in Super D @ SOlVista USA cycling national championships. His race was shortly after 8:00AM. I was an early riser after sleeping on new flannel bottom sheet to catch a momentary glimpse as gravity pulled him by me. Podium finish for the man from Pisgah. Congrats.
Todd & I pretty much hung together since Thurs afternoon. Fri morning was his Super D practice session. Afterwards we drove back to Winter Park to do a big climb and ride a downhill trail. Big grinder in thin air that left me walking several places. Todd rode almost all of it, 39 yo. We rode after lifts were closed and the light was falling. Catch road up dropped us @ base of summit chair. ST took off and up. Wandered around just below timberline which is controlled by 33 days plus of average daily temp 55 and above. Rockies are warmed than WA Cascades where treeline is around 6,000′. For crap maps of bike trails. We were up @ 11,200 @ 7:30 w/ sundown @ 8:30 w/ trails in shadows and trying to figure map out to get off service roads. Found a trail that we liked and dropped in on a blue run. Bermed turns, some rocks & roots mixed in, angle was great for speed but not fear inducing. Near the base Todd pointed out these “sick” fall line steep trails w/ man made features that are for Crankworx, a absurd display of trick riding ability. The possibility of injury is very high w/ death a real possibility. We made it back to his hotel room before it got dark. Short drive into Winter Park for Mexican dinner then back to his motel for a shower.
Sat we found the Idlewild trails just above Fraser for a short ride. Todd wants to ride but he has to race Sun and wants to save himself. Trails were non tech & a bust. Area was laced w/ trails and is probably enjoyable to a local who has figured them out. For us it was continual map reading. Lots of people enjoy them. Trail left housing development into FS land. Amazing number of 2nd plus homes around ski areas, empty during summer, quite a few are for sale. White collar recession having to sell your ski home.
We made Sol Vista in time to catch the bulk of the pro women’s XC race. Todd knows or knows about many of the top racers because of his race promotion business. Mid afternoon the pro men’s race started. What a spectacular feat of effort. Course was in a ski area and was technically boring, just dusty ST.
In the whole time I was unable to identify a Turner bike.
Not many spectators. Todd said success is in the stage races that are for the racers, not spectators.
Woke up this AM w/ another bout of shortness of breath. My chest inflates but it seems like the air exchange doesn’t happen which leaves me short of breath.
Sat we both did our laundry. All now 7 sets of riding clothes needed wash. My clothes line was too small to air dry the clothes causing some creative hanging of wet clothes. Never had all riding gear washed @ same time and I do a wash every week.
Back in Frisco today. Tomorrow I will add a bit more to CO trail to section already enjoyed. Fewer riders on weekdays. Tuesday it is Eagle to ride w/ Larry Grossman who invited me to share his local goods. Wed I will probably drive the back way into Crested Butte for several days of riding. Plan is to spend Aug in UT and ID.
At race not a single person identified me. Racers are readers of MBA I assume. At Safeway in Fraser 2 guys approached me because of BikeMag article. They are riders like me, but wanting to do what i am doing.
Randy, I am back to using wooden dowels to hold drawers shut as the catches are just too weak. I saw the drawer slides needed in an RV that require lifting the drawer before pulling out. Need to replace what i have w/ these when I find them. Regular hardware don’t carry them. Maybe earthquake prone places could use them.